Geochemistry of manganese nodules from the N.W. Indian Ocean

Manganese nodules collected from four sites in the N.W. Indian Ocean by R.R.S. Discovery have been analysed for a range of elements. At two of the sites, samples were collected from two morphological populations, at one of these sites each population being a distinct chemical population also. In addition, considerable differences have been observed in the composition of morphologically similar modules from sites a few miles apart. The information obtained is of significance in any consideration of the genesis of the nodules and could have practical implications in the event that manganese nodules become a potential source of manganese and other metallic elements.由R.R.S.发现号（R.R.S. Discovery）从西北印度洋四个站位采集的锰结核（Manganese nodules），已针对多种元素开展了系统性成分分析。在其中两个站位，研究人员分别从两类形态学类群中采集了样品；其中一个站位的两类形态学类群同时也各自为独立的化学类群。此外，研究人员观察到，即便仅相隔数英里的不同站位所采集的形态相似的结核样品，其元素组成亦存在显著差异。本研究获取的相关数据，对于锰结核成因的相关探讨具有重要学术价值；若未来锰结核成为锰及其他金属元素的潜在开采资源，该研究成果亦具备实际应用意义。