Marine Minerals in the Mexican Pacific: Toward Efficient Resource Management

Vast reserves of marine minerals are known to occur within the Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone. These reserves include: (1) heavy mineral placers rich in titanium and iron along the coast of San Antonio del Mar, Baja California and the southern States of Oaxaca and Guerrero; (2) phosphorites, which represent the only source for superphosphate fertilizers along the Pacific coast off the Baja California peninsula and the Gulf of Tehuantepec; and (3) manganese oxide deposits in nodule and crusts located adjacent to the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and containing high concentrations of Cu + Ni + Co (up to 1.9%), which are essential for the steel and super-alloy industries. Few but important efforts toward surveying these deposits have been carried out by Mexican and international researchers. Relevant data generated by these investigations are reviewed here and put together in a single document. Adequate knowledge of Mexican mineral resources is essential for the development of management strategies when offshore mining starts during this century. Thus, the review discusses the economics inherent to ocean mining in Mexico, setting baselines for future exploration and development activities in the Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone.     

Metazoan parasite communities of Selar crumenophthalmus and Decapterus muroadsi (Pisces: Carangidae) from Mexican Pacific coasts

Metazoan parasites communities of marine fishes can include both adults and larval stages of several endoparasite groups that use fishes as intermediate or paratenic hosts. The richness and abundance of parasite species larvae that harbour a fish species can therefore be a good indicator of that species’ role as an intermediate host to endoparasite species.

The parasite communities of two small carangid fishes (Selar crumenophthalmus and Decapterus muroadsi) from Mexican Pacific coasts were quantified and analysed. Five hundred sixty-three carangids (S. crumenophthalmus, n?=?402; and D. muroadsi, n?=?161) were collected between April 2014 and April 2018 from three locations. Twenty-four metazoan parasite species were identified in both hosts: five species of Monogenea (adults), eight of Digenea (7 adults and 1 metacercaria), two of Cestoda (larvae), two of Nematoda (one adult and one larva), two of Acanthocephala (adults), and five of Copepoda. Larval helminths numerically dominated the endoparasite communities of both hosts, suggesting that these carangids are important intermediate hosts for several parasite species. Component parasite community richness and species composition differed between hosts, locations, and sampling years. Variations in host feeding behaviour, and body size were considered as important factors influencing these differences.     

Minor and rare elements in manganese crusts and nodules and sediments from the Manihiki plateau and adjacent areas: Results of HMNZS Tui cruises

Six manganese crusts, 13 manganese nodules, and 16 sediments were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Data were generated on selected major and minor elements but geochemical evaluations are based only on Fe, Sc, U, Th, and the rare earth elements (REE). Manganese crusts and manganese nodules have comparable trivalent REE contents and show a shale‐like distribution pattern. Both crusts and nodules are characterized by a positive Ce anomaly but the anomaly is higher in nodules. REE contents in manganese nodules show a linear dependence on the Fe content, and it is concluded that these elements are incorporated in the Fe‐rich (δ‐MnO₂) phase. In the crusts, the REE correlate with Sc and are therefore assumed to be associated with the clay minerals. Uranium contents are significantly higher in the crusts than in nodules whereas Th is slightly higher in the nodules. There is a clear positive correlation between U and Th in nodules but there are too few data to make a similar conclusion for crusts. Compositional data suggest a division of the sediments into two groups. The carbonate sediments have much lower REE contents and a more pronounced negative Ce anomaly than the clays, while both show a lithogenous component as indicated by a slight negative Eu anomaly.     

Mineralogy and composition of manganese crusts and nodules and sediments from the Manihiki plateau and adjacent areas: Results of HMNZS Tui Cruises

Forty‐four sediment samples and 23 Mn crusts and Mn nodules have been analyzed for several elements in order to characterize their geochemical nature. Most of the Mn crusts and Mn nodules are of hydrogenous origin, although one crust (U375) from the flanks of the Rarotonga volcano is thought to be of hydrothermal origin. δ‐MnO₂ is the principal Mn mineral in the crusts, whereas todorokite and birnessite occur in addition to δ‐MnO₂ in the nodules. The sediments can be divided into carbonates, with calcite as the dominant phase, and deep‐sea clay, consisting mainly of illite and smectite.     

海洋天然气水合物研究新进展——2006西太平洋地球物理会议

简介了2006年西太平洋地球物理会议中海洋天然气水合物研究的最新成果,主要集中在水合物勘探技术,新的水合物积聚区预测,水合物成因、性质分析,水合物评估手段、开发计划,水合物模拟实验研究等几个方面。在对以上几方面分类总结的基础上,提出了几点关于海洋天然气水合物未来研究方向的认识。     

西北太平洋多金属结核铂族元素地球化学特征

Polymetallic nodules and cobalt (Co)-rich crusts are enriched in platinum-group elements (PGEs),especially platinum (Pt) and may be important sinks of PGEs.At present,little information is available on PGEs in polymetallic nodules,and their geochemical characteristics and the causes of PGEs enrichment are unclear.Here PGEs of polymetallic nodules from abyssal basin in the Marcus-Wake Seamount area of the Northwest Pacific Ocean are reported and compared with the published PGEs data of polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts in the Pacific.The total PGEs (ΣPGE) content of polymetallic nodules in study area is 258×10~(–9) in average,markedly higher than that of Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) nodules (ΣPGE=127×10~(–9)) and lower than that of Co-rich crusts in the Marcus-Wake Seamount (ΣPGE=653×10~(–9)),similar to that of Co-rich crusts in the South China Sea(ΣPGE=252×10~(–9)).The CI chondrite-normalized PGEs patterns in different regions of polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich crusts are highly consistent,with all being characterized by positive Pt and negative Pd anomalies These results,together with those of previous studies,indicate that PGEs in polymetallic nodules and Co-rich crusts are mainly derived directly from seawater.Pt contents of polymetallic nodules from the study area are negatively correlated with water depth,and Pt/ΣPGE ratios in nodules there are also lower than those of the Corich crusts in the adjacent area,indicating that sedimentary water depth and oxygen fugacity of ambient seawater are the possible important controlling factors for Pt accumulation in crusts and nodules.     

On the use of Atterberg limits on marine soils

Abstract

On the basis of the Atterberg indexes of various sediments collected in the Mediterranean Sea, we select two major parameters indicative of the mechanical behavior of marine soils: the sedimentary facies (i.e., mechanism of deposition expressed by silt content) and the clay mineral association characterized by smectite content in the fraction finer than 2 μm. Activity and real thixotropic ability appear to be particularly important parameters in marine engineering; better values are obtained by a double test operation in distilled and marine water.     

Role of Siliceous Fossil Dissolution in Downcore Variations of Grain Size and Water Content: Western Margin of Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone,NE Equatorial Pacific

Abstract

Grain size and water content in box-core sediments from the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone (C-C zone) in the northeast equatorial Pacific were analyzed in detail to understand the downcore variations across a hiatus between Quaternary and Tertiary layers. Grain-size distributions in the topmost core sediments show two modes: a coarse mode (peaked at 50 μm) and a fine mode (at 2–25 μm). The coarse mode disappears gradually with depth accompanied by the dissolution of siliceous fossil tests, whereas the fine mode coarsens due to the formation of authigenic minerals. Water content increases abruptly across a color boundary between an upper pale brown layer and a lower dark brown layer that is the hiatus between Quaternary and Tertiary layers. Abundant smectites and microvoid molds, which are created by the prolonged fossil dissolution in the underlying sediment, are attributed for the abrupt downcore variation of water content. Overall variations in grain size and water content in the topmost core sediments in the western C-C zone are possibly constrained by the dissolution of biogenic siliceous fossils. Variations in geotechnical properties related to these changes must be considered in the design of nodule collectors.     

太平洋徐福海山富钴结壳稀土元素和铂族元素赋存状态研究

利用等离子体发射光谱法、等离子体质谱法以及相态分析手段,对太平洋徐福海山富钴结壳稀土和铂族元素地球化学特征、赋存状态及富集机制进行研究。结果表明,富钴结壳稀土和铂族元素明显富集,其稀土总量为1 842～2 854 μg/g,铂族总量为144～1 180 ng/g,老壳层中稀土和铂族元素含量明显高于新壳层,这可能与老壳层发生磷酸盐化作用有关。轻稀土元素含量明显高于重稀土元素含量,呈现Ce正异常而Eu无异常,具有明显Ce富集特征。铂族元素之间发生了明显分异作用,PPGE含量明显高于IPGE,表现出明显Pt正异常而Pd负异常,具有明显Pt富集而Pd亏损特征。稀土元素赋存状态显示,新壳层中稀土元素主要赋存于铁氧化物相,其富集比例为65.40%～70.05%,老壳层中稀土元素主要赋存于残渣态,富集比例为62.27%～65.77%,这可能与残渣态中磷酸盐有关。铂族元素赋存状态显示,新壳层和老壳层中铂族元素都主要赋存于铁氧化物相,其富集比例为63.66%～69.51%,残渣态(29.20%～34.68%)对铂族元素也有一定的富集能力。富钴结壳稀土和铂族元素的富集推测为铁氧化物胶体粒子的吸附作用,受海水氧化性环境影响,可溶性Ce³⁺和Pt²⁺分别被氧化成不溶性Ce⁴⁺和Pt⁴⁺,沉淀被吸附到铁氧化物相中,从而造成富钴结壳稀土和铂族元素的富集。     

Marine reserve phenomenon in the Pacific islands

Coinciding with increased numbers of global marine reserves, communities in the Pacific islands are establishing unprecedented number of periodically-harvested and indefinitely-closed marine reserves. An integrated ecological and social comparative methodology is used to examine the motivations and outcomes of reserves in Vanuatu. Communities establish permanent reserves due to concerns about human impacts on reefs, while others establish periodic reserves in response to declining resources. Local knowledge suggests that both reserve types are effective, although validation by underwater surveys was inconclusive. Community support for both reserve types is strong, suggesting that the marine reserve phenomenon in Pacific will continue.     

东太平洋多金属结核及相关因素概述

以翔实的照片与图件资料为依据, 展示东太平洋中国开辟区内多金属结核类型及其在大洋底赋存状态; 结核内部叠层石纹层及其建造者——两种超微生物化石特征; 不同类型结核的矿物与化学成分特点。同时对结核分布规律与区内地化环境、水深、地形、沉积物类型等之间关系也作扼要说明。     

中太平洋海山演化史及与富钴结壳的关系

中太平洋海山区是海山富钴结壳广泛分布的一个重点地区，目前我国正在该区进行富钴结壳资源调查，了解该区海山形成演化史对研究富钴结壳的成因及其分布规律有重要意义。根据大量的文献资料，对该区海山演化史进行了综述，并对海山与其上生长的富钴结壳的关系进行了探讨。     

Study on the characteristics of the marine boundary layer in the Equatorial Pacific

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东太平洋中国多金属结核区锰结核样品中微生物群落结构的研究

通过非培养手段研究了东太平洋中国多金属结核区ES0303站点锰结核样品中的微生物群落结构.细菌16S rRNA基因克隆文库的研究结果表明：结核内细菌种群结构复杂,微生物种类丰富且各种群丰度不一（61个OTUs）,其中变形杆菌类群为优势种群,占所有细菌克隆子比例的64%,且主要分布于β/γ-、α-和δ-等3类变形杆菌（Proteobacteria）亚群之中,占比分别为34%、18%和12%.此外还存在包括酸杆菌（Acidobacteria）,放线菌纲（Actinobacteria）,绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）,厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）,浮霉菌门（Planctomycetes）等在内的细菌类群的分布,克隆子比例依次为9%、7%、8%、2%和5%.古菌16S rRNA基因克隆文库的研究结果表明：古菌的群落结构单一（仅12个OTUs）,全部是由泉古菌海洋类群I（crenarchaeote marine group I,MGI）组成;其中MGI-η类群最为丰富,达到44%,而MGI-α、MGI-ζ和MGI-ε类群的克隆子比例分别为25%、18%和9%,另外还发现2个新的MGI分类类群.相关克隆子的数据库比对和系统发育树分析表明,并未发现已报道的直接参与铁锰氧化还原相关类群的存在,但它们大多数与来自多金属结核来源或深海来源的不可培养微生物具有较高的同源性.进一步的分析表明,锰结核内存在相当数量的氨氧化菌、硫酸盐还原菌、酸杆菌等能够改变pH值的细菌和古菌类群的存在,意味着它们可能在锰结核的形成过程中起到重要的作用.     

Sedimentary characteristics and the implications of cobalt-rich crusts resources at Caiwei Guyot in the Western Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Cobalt-rich crust has attracted increased attention due to their economic value. Studies have indicated that seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean are rich in cobalt-rich crust resources. The Caiwei Guyot in Western Pacific Ocean is one of the cobalt-rich crust exploration areas contracted between China and the International Seabed Authority. A large volume of research has been conducted to elucidate the tectonic evolution, basement type, sediment type, gravity and magnetic anomaly characteristics, and geochemical characteristics of shallow surface sediments at Caiwei Guyot. However, a research gap exists on the sedimentary strata below the pelagic deposits and above the volcanic basement of the Caiwei Guyot. This paper summarizes that two main types of sediments existing on the top of Caiwei Guyot. The deposition thickness on the top of Caiwei Guyot is characterized by three sedimentary centers and exposed periphery. Pelagic sediments are difficult to form at the northeastern portion and edge area of Caiwei Guyot due to the strong bottom current environment, which makes these areas suitable for crust growth. This paper delineated three cobalt-rich crust prospective areas at the Caiwei Guyot with of significant implications for exploration and mining-lease-block selections at Caiwei Guyot.     

东太平洋多金属结核的一般特征与影响因素

本文主要阐述了东太平洋海盆国家海洋局调查区内多金属结核的物性特点、形态分区、粒级分布、矿物成分以及结核丰度、品位与生成环境因素的关系，并指出了勘探与选冶的较佳区块。     

A seismic refraction study of cretaceous oceanic lithosphere in the Northwest Pacific Basin

A seismic refraction study on old (110 Myr) lithosphere in the northwest Pacific Basin has placed constraints on crustal and uppermantle seismic structure of old oceanic lithosphere, and lithospheric aging processes. No significant lateral variation in structure other than azimuthally anisotropic mantle velocities was found, allowing the application of powerful amplitude modeling techniques. The anisotropy observed is in an opposite sense to that expected, suggesting the tectonic setting of the area may be more complex than originally thought. Upper crustal velocities are generally larger than for younger crust, supporting current theories of decreased porosity with crustal aging. However, there is no evidence for significant thickening of the oceanic crust with age, nor is there any evidence of a lower crustal layer of high or low velocity relative to the velocity of the rest of Layer 3. The compressional and shear wave velocities rule out a large component of serpentinization of mantle materials. The only evidence for a basal crustal layer of olivine gabbro cumulates is a 1.5 km thick Moho transition zone. In the slow direction of anisotropy, upper mantle velocities increase from 8.0 km s^-1 to 8.35 km s^-1 in the upper 15 km below the Moho. This increase is inconsistent with an homogeneous upper mantle and suggests that compositinal or phase changes occur near the Moho.     

西太平洋采薇海山群富钴结壳铂族元素地球化学特征与来源

为探讨富钴结壳铂族元素的来源,以西太平洋采薇海山群富钴结壳样品为研究对象,利用X射线衍射法、等离子体发射光谱法和质谱法,对富钴结壳样品进行了矿物组成、主量元素和铂族元素含量分析。研究表明,富钴结壳的主要结晶矿物为水羟锰矿,次要矿物有石英、斜长石、钾长石和碳氟磷灰石,同时含有大量非晶态铁氧/氢氧化物。富钴结壳中Mn和Fe含量最高,且明显富集铂族元素,铂族总量为142～1 352 ng/g,其中Pt为114～1 268 ng/g,占铂族总量的80%以上。老壳层的铂族元素含量高于新壳层,老壳层发生了磷酸盐化作用。富钴结壳的铂族元素之间发生了分异作用,Pd组（PPGE）含量高于Ir组（IPGE）。铂族元素配分模式显示Pt正异常和Pd负异常,具有Pt富集而Pd亏损特征,推测富钴结壳的铂族元素来源于洋壳蚀变过程中海山玄武岩和海水之间的水−岩反应。富钴结壳的铂族元素与CaO、P₂O₅、Ba和Cu正相关,推测铂族元素赋存于磷酸盐矿物相中。富钴结壳生长剖面从上到下,由新到老,铂族元素含量呈逐渐增加趋势,海水氧化性环境和高海洋生产力可增进磷酸盐化作用,从而进一步促进了铂族元素的富集。该研究对于揭示富钴结壳铂族元素的来源具有一定的参考价值。     

东太平洋CC区板块构造和多金属结核资源效应探讨

利用东太平洋CC区多波束海底地形测量、结核覆盖率深拖系统探测、结核丰度地质采样和地球物理地震勘探资料,运用板块构造和沉积动力学理论,并与丰度趋势面和神经网络分析结果对比,对东太平洋CC区构造与多金属结核资源效应关系进行了探讨,并认为:(1)富集在研究区约200亿t结核的最主要控制因素是东太平洋海隆、莱恩山脉、克拉里昂-克利伯顿大断裂(Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone),东、西、南、北的四个构造单元为结核大量富集起到了框架性的关键作用;(2)本区经历了和遵循着海底扩张的基本过程,这个过程对结核物质来源、成矿作用、结核分布有重大影响,结核丰度、覆盖率与地形变化非常一致,重大相变距离为10～15km,基底自形成以来一直影响着地表结核;(3)地球深部地质作用过程对结核成矿作用也有一定影响,影响因素可能涉及基底岩浆房及其大小等.     

太平洋悬浮体特征及近底雾状层(雾浊层)探讨

2005年在太平洋12个测站分层采集了悬浮体水样及连续的水体温度、盐度、深度等数据.利用水体悬浮体含量在垂向上的分布特征初步分析了大洋雾状层的特点,并讨论了水体中悬浮体颗粒物质的来源,对不同海洋环境中悬浮体分布进行了对比,发现大洋水体中悬浮体含量总体很小,一般不超过0.30mg/dm3,但在一定水层内悬浮体含量相对较高,形成雾状层.雾状层在大洋内广泛分布,一般以表层雾状层和近底雾状层形式存在.大洋水体中悬浮体颗粒物来源广泛.表层雾状层的形成主要受透光层内生物作用的影响,而底质沉积物的再悬浮是影响底部雾状层形成的重要因素.因受水体物理海洋环境和物质来源的影响,不同区域水体中悬浮体含量不同,雾状层的分布不同.海山顶部受水流及岩石基底影响雾状层分布不明显,海山底部与开辟区洋盆海域雾状层更普遍.开辟区东西区由于物源差异水体中悬浮体含量差别明显,靠近火山喷口的西区水体中悬浮体含量明显高于东区的.