Biogenesis and binary mineralization of organism and chemism of polymetallic nodules from Pacific Ocean

The biogenic structure and biominerals in the polymetallic nodules reveal their biogenic origin. The experiment of the cation substitution capacity of synthetic 1 nm manganate suggests that chemism participates in the mineralization of the polymetallic nodules. That means the mineralization of the polymetallic nodules is two-component. After discussing the mineralization mechanism, the authors pointed out that the formation of polymetallic modules in deep-sea must meet four prerequisites: oxidative environment, very low sedimentation rate and/or hiatuses, enough nuclei, and suitable for the ultra-microbes-nodule’s builder to live. Project supported by the Deep Sea Geologic Research Project of China Oceanic Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA)