Grain size composition of metalliferous sediments from the East Pacific Rise axial zone at 21°S

It is shown that a laser granulometric analysis makes it possible to obtain adequate results with respect to grain size composition of metalliferous sediments in contrast to water-mechanical types of analysis. Metalliferous sediments of the studied region are usually represented by pelitic (<0.01 mm) oozes, less frequently by silty-pelitic and fine silt oozes.