Chemical composition of sediments from the south Penrhyn Basin

Samples of sediment associated with manganese nodules from the south Penrhyn Basin were analyzed for a number of elemental concentrations. Chemical analyses were performed by the Australian Mineral Development Laboratories (AMDEL), with funds contributed to CCOP/SOPAC by the Australian government, using XRF. Au and Pt were analyzed for using fire assay collection and emission spectrography. The overall chemical composition of sediment from the south Penrhyn Basin is fairly uniform throughout the area sampled. The total spread of data is small and generally amounts to less than t. 20% of the mean, as measured by standard deviation except in the case of elements present in lower concentrations where analytical errors become more significant.