Determination of main and trace chemical constituents in manganese nodule samples from the South and North Pacific

Manganese nodule samples from the South and North Pacific were selected for the determination of their main and trace constituents. Results obtained by direct atomic-absorption determination of the elements in samples dissolved in 6 M hydrochloric acid (containing 2 % v/v of the hexoneisopropanol-HCl mixture). The following sensitivities for 1 % absorption are obtained: Mn = 0.10 ppm, Cu = 0.12 ppm, Co = 0.22 ppm. and Pb = 0.85 ppm. Uranium cocentration was determined by fluorimetry (Galvanek-Morrison fluorimeter, Mark V (Jarrel-Ash).