Ferromanganese Nodule and Crust Chemistry from Dampier Ridge and Lord Howe Rise

Chemical and mineralogical data for four ferromanganese samples, including two nodules and two crusts, collected from the Dampier Ridge and Lord Howe Rise off eastern Australia. The samples, gathered by the vessel Sonne, provide measurements for elements like Ni, Cu, Co and Mn:Fe ratios, with deposits up to 20 cm thick.

Use Cases

• Analyze Mn:Fe ratios and Ni, Cu, Co contents to model geochemical variation with water depth.
• Compare sample mineralogy and substrate types (granite, gabbro, sandstone) to understand deposit formation.
• Use chemical data from nodules and crusts to identify hydrogenetic origins and assess economic potential.

Strengths

• Provides specific chemical measurements including Mn:Fe ratios ranging from 0.48 to 0.91.
• Includes detailed sample descriptions covering nodule types, crust morphology, and substrate geology.
• Data is contextualized with comparisons to deeper water stations from other research vessels.

Limitations

• Very small sample size of only four physical samples from two stations.
• Data presentation is in document formats (HTML, PDF), not structured tabular data.
• Geographic coverage is limited to two specific locations off eastern Australia.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Samples collected via dredge and core by the West German vessel Sonne.

Time Range

null

Freshness

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Geography

Dampier Ridge and Lord Howe Rise off eastern Australia, water depths 1549-2700 m.