Distance-gradient-based variogram and Kriging to evaluate cobalt-rich crust deposits on seamounts

The spatial distribution of cobalt-rich crust thicknesses on seamounts is partly controlled by water depth and slope gradients. Conventional distance–direction-based variogram have not effectively expressed the spatial self-correlation or anisotropy of the thicknesses of cobalt-rich crusts. To estimate resources in cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts using geostatistics, we constructed a new variogram model to adapt to the spatial distribution of the thicknesses of the cobalt-rich crusts. In this model, we defined the data related to cobalt-rich crusts on seamounts as three-dimensional surface random variables, presented an experimental variogram process based on the distance–gradient or distance–“relative water depth,” and provided a theoretical variogram model that follows this process. This method was demonstrated by the spatial estimation of the thicknesses of cobalt-rich crusts on a seamount, and the results indicated that the new variogram model reflects the spatial self-correlation of the thicknesses of cobalt-rich crusts well. Substituted into the Kriging equation, the new variogram model successfully estimated the spatial thickness distribution of these cobalt-rich crusts.     

利用多波束回波强度进行中太平洋潜鱼海山底质分类

中、西太平洋海山区是富钴结壳的重要富集区,钙质远洋沉积、碳酸盐岩沉积及重力作用引起的滑塌沉积是海山山顶和斜坡的主要沉积类型,它们的空间分布规律对于富钴结壳的分布至关重要.在国内首次利用EM122多波束回波强度资料对中太平洋潜鱼海山进行了底质类型研究,对回波强度资料进行处理和统计分类,并与浅地层剖面和地质取样结果对比,分析得出了4种底质类型,即富钴结壳、钙质远洋沉积、碳酸盐岩基底及碎屑流沉积.这几种底质类型具有不同的回波强度特征,其中富钴结壳区表现为均一的回波强度高值特征;钙质远洋沉积区表现为均一的回波强度低值特征,二者回波强度值相差约20 dB.结果显示潜鱼海山山顶仅局部发育钙质远洋沉积,大部分为碳酸盐岩基底出露区,山顶边缘及侧翼山脊处为主要的富钴结壳分布区.此外,该海山存在3处较大规模的重力滑塌沉积区,主要为碎屑流沉积.      

大洋富钴结壳资源调查与研究进展

富钴结壳是继多金属结核资源之后被发现的又一深海沉积固体矿产资源,在太平洋、大西洋和印度洋的海底均有分布。据估算,全球三大洋海山富钴结壳干结壳资源量为(1081.1661~2162.3322)×108t。世界各国对富钴结壳的调查始于20世纪80年代初,截至目前,已有日本、中国、俄罗斯和巴西等4个国家与国际海底管理局签订了富钴结壳勘探合同,而韩国的矿区申请也于2016年获得核准。富钴结壳按形态可分为板状结壳,砾状结壳和钴结核3种类型。富钴结壳内部结构构造在宏观上通常表现为三层构造,即底部亮煤层、中部疏松层和顶部较致密层;在微观下主要表现为柱状构造、叠层构造、斑块状构造、纹层状构造等多种类型。富钴结壳的矿物成分主要为自生的铁锰矿物,包括水羟锰矿、钡镁锰矿、羟铁矿、四方纤铁矿、六方纤铁矿、针铁矿等。富钴结壳富含Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn等金属元素以及稀土元素和铂族元素,其中Co含量尤为显著。三大洋中,以太平洋富钴结壳的Co平均含量最高。富钴结壳的生长过程极其缓慢,平均仅几毫米每百万年。研究表明,西太平洋富钴结壳最早于始新世-早中新世开始生长。目前通常认为富钴结壳为水成成因,即Co、Fe、Mn等金属元素来源于海水。此外,有研究表明微生物在富钴结壳的形成过程中也起着非常重要的作用。富钴结壳的分布及特征受地形、水深、基岩类型、海水水文化学特征、经纬度等多种因素的影响,其主要分布于碳酸盐补偿深度以上、最低含氧带以下、水深800~2500 m的海山、岛屿斜坡和海底高地上,西、中太平洋海山区被认为是全球富钴结壳的最主要产出区。     

Distribution and Classification of Cobalt-Rich Crust

INTRODUTIONThe sea- floor metallic mineral resources are classified asmany types such as multi- m etallic nodules,metallic oozes,massive sulfide deposits and iron- manganese crusts.Before1980 s,China did not made any researches into metallic oozeand massive sulfide deposits;but China started to study m ul-ti- metallic nodules in the early1980 s,15 - 2 0 years later thanthe developed industry countries did.However,in the shortten years,we have caught up with the developed countries,and our…     

太平洋海山钴结壳资源量估算

为合理地估算出太平洋海山钴结壳资源量, 基于我国西太平洋海山钴结壳拖网采样调查资料以及对太平洋海山钴结壳资源分布规律和钴结壳矿区圈定参数指标的深入研究, 创造性地按海山不同高度、不同洋壳年龄赋予不同结壳厚度, 进而首次计算出太平洋海山干结壳资源量为(507.06~1 014.11)×108 t, 锰为(111.15~222.29)×108 t, 钴为(3.04~6.08)×108 t, 镍为(2.23~4.46)×108 t, 铜为(0.66~1.32)×108 t, 结壳分布面积为2 062 862 km2.通过Co通量与结壳Co沉积量、结壳厚度的相关分析表明, 赋予不同洋壳年龄段的结壳厚度是理论厚度的6.10%~12.20%, 这与Ku et al.得出"结壳生长时间只占其整个生命史4%"的认识非常相近, 说明所赋结壳厚度基本合理, 得出的结壳资源量基本正确.为整个大洋海盆内海山钴结壳资源量的估算提供了新方法.      

Continuous growth of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts since 17 Myr ago on Takuyo-Daigo Seamount,NW Pacific,at water depths of 800–5500 m

Ferromanganese crusts cover all outcrops on Takuyo-Daigo seamount traversed during remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) dives, except in places covered by foraminifera sand. Takuyo-Daigo is a Cretaceous seamount located in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Geological and bathymetric mapping provide the framework for this study. Chemical and mineralogical analyses of the hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts show temporal and spatial variations typical of those found in previous studies. Outcrops from 800 to 5500 m water depths are covered with ferromanganese crusts up to 105 mm thick. Beryllium isotope dating shows that the crusts have apparently been growing continuously at all water depths, even through the modern oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), contrary to some earlier models for deposition. Growth rates vary from 2.3 to 3.5 mm/Myr, with Fe or Mn fluxes of 0.07–0.11 g/cm²/Myr since the early-middle Miocene. Co/Mn ratios decrease with water depth while Fe/Mn and other metallic elements increase or show no change, based on the analysis of the uppermost crust surface. This is probably because Co is the most abundant redox-sensitive element derived from seawater that occurs in crusts.     

Strategic and rare elements in Cretaceous-Cenozoic cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts from seamounts in the Canary Island Seamount Province (northeastern tropical Atlantic)

Thick ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from four Cretaceous seamounts (The Paps, Tropic, Echo and Drago) at the southern Canary Island Seamount Province (CISP) in the northeastern tropical Atlantic were recovered along the flanks and summits from 1700 to 3000 m water depths. CISP is composed of > 100 seamounts and submarine hills, is likely the oldest hotspot track in the Atlantic Ocean, and is the most long-lived of known hotspots globally. The Fe-Mn crusts grow on basalt-sedimentary rock substrates below the northeastern tropical Atlantic core of the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) with a maximum thickness of 250 mm at a water depth of 2400 m. The mineralogical and chemical composition of these Fe-Mn crusts indicate a hydrogenetic origin. The main Mn minerals are vernadite with minor interlayered todorokite and asbolane-buserite. Fe oxides are essentially ferroxyhyte and goethite. The Fe-Mn crusts show high average contents in Fe (23.5 wt%), Mn (16.1 wt%), and trace elements like Co (4700 μg/g), Ni (2800 μg/g), V (2400 μg/g) and Pb (1600 μg/g). Rare earth elements plus yttrium (REY) averages 2800 μg/g with high proportions of Ce (1600 μg/g). Total platinum group elements (PGEs) average 230 ng/g, with average Pt of 182 ng/g. Two main types of growth layers form the crusts: 1) a dense laminae of oxides with high contents in Mn, Co and Ni associated with vernadite and Cu, Ni, and Zn associated with todorokite; 2) botryoidal layers with high contents in Fe, Ti, V and REY associated with goethite. The Fe-Mn crusts from the CISP region show higher contents in Fe, V, Pb and REY but lower Mn, Co, Ni and PGEs contents than Pacific or Indian ocean seamount crusts. The oldest maximum age of initiation of crust growth was at 76 Ma (Campanian, Late Cretaceous). Using a combination of high resolution Co-chronometer and geochemical data along an Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA) transect, four stages in morphology, chemical contents and growth rates can be differentiated in the the Cenozoic crusts since 28 Ma, which we interpret as due to changes in the ventilation of the North Atlantic OMZ and to the increase of Saharian dust inputs. An earliest growth period, characterized by similar contents of Fe and Mn in the interval 27.8–24.45 Ma (late Oligocene-early Miocene) reflects slow precipitation related to a thick OMZ. An intermediate laminated zone with higher contents of Fe, Si and P, high growth rates reaching 4.5 mm/Ma, and precipitation of Fe-Mn oxides during the interval 24.5–16 Ma is related to periods of ventilation of the OMZ by intrusion of deep upwelling currents. Significant increase in Fe contents at ca. 16 Ma correlates with the onset of incursions of Northern Component Waters into the North Atlantic. Finally, since 12 Ma, the very low growth rates (< 0.5 mm/Ma) of the crust are related to a thick North Atlantic OMZ, an increase in Sahara dust input and a stable thermohaline circulation.     

钴结壳矿区圈定和资源评价的参数指标

大洋海山钴结壳集海洋资源和环境双重信息, 各国对它的调查研究方兴未艾.钴结壳资源勘查的最终目的是圈定钴结壳矿区和开发钴结壳资源.迄今为止, 国内外尚未就钴结壳矿区圈定和资源评价给出具体的参数指标, 基于我国近十年对西太平洋26座海山钴结壳资源调查, 结合太平洋环境资料, 在深入分析钴结壳厚度、丰度、品位、覆盖率、资源量、面积, 海山坡度和水深资料的基础上, 对13座重点海山进行了钴结壳矿区圈定、资源评价和钴结壳分布规律的系统研究, 进而提出圈定钴结壳矿区的八项重要参数指标: 钴结壳矿区的结壳厚度为≥3cm或≥4cm, 取决于海山具体地理位置; 水深为≤2500m或≤3000m;Co含量为≥0.50%或≥0.60%;丰度为≥60kg/m2或≥70kg/m2; 坡度为≤15°; 结壳覆盖率为≥30%;钴结壳矿区的申请面积为17000~20000km2, 矿区最终保留面积为5000~6000km2.钴结壳矿区8项参数指标的提出, 将有力地促进大洋钴结壳矿区圈定、资源量计算和资源评价工作, 为我国积极参与联合国海底管理局制定钴结壳资源开发利用规章制度提供量化参考指标.      

西太平洋海山玄武岩的岩石学特征及与上覆富钴结壳的关系

通过对西太平洋海山玄武岩和玄武质火山角砾岩的岩石学特征及其气孔充填物成分变化的研究,讨论了海山玄武岩与上覆富钴结壳的关系。富钴结壳的基岩火山岩主要为碱性玄武岩和玄武质火山角砾岩。碱性玄武岩中气孔充填物为S型和C型,S型和C型气孔充填物不共存在同一个气孔中。S型气孔充填物的物质成分富Si、Fe、K、Mg、Al,Co含量一般为0.17%~0.46%,其成分与碱性玄武岩的组成类似,其物质来源可能与碱性玄武岩有关。C型气孔充填物为O、Ca、C及少量Si、Al、Mg、Fe、K等元素,C型气孔充填物可能与海水中物质的沉积有关。由Si、Al、Fe、Mg、K等元素变化曲线反映出的S型气孔充填物沉积过程与富钴结壳早期的沉积过程具有相似的趋势,说明富钴结壳早期沉积物的物质来源可能与碱性玄武岩有关,富钴结壳物质来源可能是碱性玄武岩和海水共同作用的结果。     

富钴结壳中贵金属元素的特征

对太平洋CL、CM海山调查时获取9个富钴结壳样品,采用化学处理及ICP-MS法进行分析。对贵金属元素含量分布特征、富集因子、标准化模式以及来源进行探讨和研究。结果表明：海山结壳中贵金属元素Ag、Au、Ru、Rh、Pd、Pt等的平均含量分别为： 1.05×10^-6、2.3×10^-6、15.6×10^-9、22.3×10^-9、2.39×10^-9和432×10^-9。与结核、洋壳及陆地矿石的Pd/（Pt+Pd）、Pt/（Pt+Pd）和Pd/Pt等贵金属元素的比值相比,大洋富钴结壳的 Pd/（Pt+Pd） 比值最低,为0.006;其次是结核,为0.06;洋壳为0.08;陆地矿石的Pd/（Pt+Pd）比值较大,为0.35～0.65。结壳的Pt/（Pt+Pd）比值最高,为0.99;其次是结核,为0.95;洋壳为0.93;陆地矿石的Pt/（Pt+Pd）比值相对较低,为0.33～0.65。统计分析显示了不同区域、不同环境中贵金属元素的特征参数变化,并且说明富钴结壳中富铂、金、钌、铑,而贫钯。贵金属元素标准化显示,海山富钴结壳均存在着Pt、Au正异常和Pd的负异常,其中Au异常幅度与结核的Au异常一致。     

A prediction model for important mineral resources in China

Prediction models for mineral resources provide an analytical foundation and method to express the results of resource evaluations. The project “China National Mineral Resources Assessment Initiative” was conducted during 2006–2013, with the aim to determine the location, quantity, and quality of 25 important mineral resources occurring at depths of <1 km. There are currently 80 integrated prediction models on the scale of III–level metallogenic belts in use across China. The Huangshaping Pb–Zn polymetallic deposit, Hunan province, China, is used as a case study to establish methods and processes for developing a mineral resource prediction model that would be used for exploration targeting. The construction of prediction models requires the development of a classification scheme for the proposed prediction method appropriate for the prediction area. An initial metallogenic model is quantitatively transformed to a prospecting model, and then a prediction model. The incorporation of additional methodology, analysis of a comprehensive geological database, and correlation of asymmetric information between the well–explored typical deposit area and regional prediction area, yield an integrated prediction model. This paper also discusses the prediction modeling theory, and presents 12 models used for mineral assessments.     

Effect of Phosphatization on Element Concentration of Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts

1 Introduction Co-rich ferromanganese crusts occurring on submarine guyots have received much attention from scientists since the beginning of the 1980’s because they are enriched in Co, Mn, Pt, and rare earth elements (REEs), and have large potential mineral resources, occurring as they do on topographic highs relative to polymetallic nodules in the C-C (Clarion-Clipperton) zone (Halbach et al., 1982, 1989; Hein et al., 1992, 1999; Usui and Someya, 1997; Yamazaki and Sharma, 1998, 2000…     

Sources of gallium in ferromanganese crusts from the Sea of Japan

Possible sources of gallium in hydrothermal-sedimentary ferromanganese crusts of the Belyaevsky Seamount (Central Basin, Sea of Japan) are considered. Studies with successive selective leaching have shown that ~ 80% of Ga are present in the manganese fraction. The Changbaishan Volcano ash with up to 35.3 ppm Ga has been found in the marine sediment column located in the immediate vicinity of the Belyaevsky Seamount. This suggests that Ga of the Fe–Mn crusts of the seamount was supplied with the ash of volcanic rocks containing up to 300 ppm Ga.     

手持式X射线荧光光谱仪在富钴结壳资源勘查中的应用

便携式X射线荧光光谱仪具有快速、无损分析的特点,本文重点研究了手持式X射线荧光光谱仪在富钴结壳碎块和浅钻岩心野外现场原位分析中的应用能力。采用压片法制样,以富钴结壳国家标准物质(GBW 07337~GBW 07339)和多金属结核国家标准物质(GBW 07249、GBW 07295和GBW 07296)作为校准样品,建立了手持式X射线荧光光谱仪测定富钴结壳样品的校准曲线。方法经国家标准物质GBW 07339验证,元素Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu的精密度(RSD)在0.3%~3.0%之间,满足富钴结壳样品现场分析的要求。在海上资源勘查现场,应用手持式X射线荧光光谱仪对富钴结壳碎块和浅钻岩心原样进行了现场原位分析。富钴结壳碎块原样烘干后直接测试分析数据与实验室压片制样XRF分析数据对比表明,Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu元素的测定值一致性良好;浅钻岩心的原位分析数据与实验室人工分层分析数据对比表明,各层位Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu元素直接测试数据与实验室压片制样XRF分析数据分布趋势基本一致。实际应用研究表明,手持式X射线荧光光谱仪适合于现场原位分析,满足野外富钴结壳资源快速评价的要求,同时原位分析能更真实地反映原始富钴结壳岩心不同层位中各元素的变化特征,为进一步研究富钴结壳成矿机制提供更丰富的数据资料。     

The geological significance of Pb–Bi- and Pb–Sb-sulphosalts in the Damajianshan tungsten polymetallic deposit,Yunnan Province,China

The Sanjiang Tethyan domain in SE Asia is one of the most important mineral belts in China. Cu, Pb–Zn, Ag, Au and Sn are the most important resources in this domain, while the tungsten mineralization is poorly reported. In this study, we report on mineralogy in recent discovered Damajianshan (DMJS) tungsten (–Cu–As–Mo–Bi) polymetallic deposit in the southern part of Sanjiang Tethyan domain related to Triassic quartz porphyry. Studies have shown that besides common ore minerals, such as native bismuth, bismuthinite, ikunolite, some specific minerals of Pb–Bi- and Pb–Sb-sulphosalts (e.g. izoklakeite, bournonite, cosalite, and boulangerite) have also been found. Based on paragenetic mineral assemblages, fluid inclusions, and thermodynamic studies, the physicochemical conditions were evaluated for the entire metallogenic process. The sulfur fugacity (logf_S2) ranges from − 9.7 to − 37 with ore-forming temperatures between 190 °C and 330 °C, and the oxygen fugacity (logf_O2) ranges from − 37.5 to − 38.5 when the temperature is 250 °C. The sulfur fugacity and oxygen fugacity show strong fluctuations with broadly negative correlation, indicating that these variations in physicochemical conditions should be responsible for mineral assemblages, and are one of the most significant factors leading to the formation of the DMJS deposit. Our mineralogical studies provide new information for tungsten mineralization and further exploration of tungsten resources in the Sanjiang Tethyan mineralization domain.     

手持式X射线荧光光谱仪在富钴结壳资源勘查中的应用

便携式X射线荧光光谱仪具有快速、无损分析的特点,本文重点研究了手持式X射线荧光光谱仪在富钴结壳碎块和浅钻岩心野外现场原位分析中的应用能力。采用压片法制样,以富钴结壳国家标准物质（GBW 07337~GBW 07339）和多金属结核国家标准物质（GBW 07249、GBW 07295和GBW 07296）作为校准样品,建立了手持式X射线荧光光谱仪测定富钴结壳样品的校准曲线。方法经国家标准物质GBW 07339验证,元素Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu的精密度（RSD）在0.3%~3.0%之间,满足富钴结壳样品现场分析的要求。在海上资源勘查现场,应用手持式X射线荧光光谱仪对富钴结壳碎块和浅钻岩心原样进行了现场原位分析。富钴结壳碎块原样烘干后直接测试分析数据与实验室压片制样XRF分析数据对比表明,Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu元素的测定值一致性良好;浅钻岩心的原位分析数据与实验室人工分层分析数据对比表明,各层位Mn、Fe、Co、Ni和Cu元素直接测试数据与实验室压片制样XRF分析数据分布趋势基本一致。实际应用研究表明,手持式X射线荧光光谱仪适合于现场原位分析,满足野外富钴结壳资源快速评价的要求,同时原位分析能更真实地反映原始富钴结壳岩心不同层位中各元素的变化特征,为进一步研究富钴结壳成矿机制提供更丰富的数据资料。     

The world's lead-zinc mineral resources: Scarcity,data, issues and opportunities

Lead and zinc keep humanity powered and sheltered, yet a comprehensive understanding of Pb-Zn resources in known mineral deposits has been lacking, leading to uncertainty over when we might expect the supply of these metals to face potential constraints. Addressing this, we compile an extensive database of the world's known Pb-Zn mineral deposits and provide in-depth analyses of their contained resources, ore-grades, economic value, by-products and geological settings. Our data indicate that at least 226.1 Mt Pb and 610.3 Mt Zn are present within 851 individual mineral deposits and mine waste projects from 67 countries (and one in international waters), at an average grade of 0.44 %Pb and 1.20 %Zn. The identified resources are dominantly present within sediment-hosted Pb-Zn deposits (490.6 Mt Pb + Zn + Cu), which contain the equivalent of VMS, Skarn, Porphyry, Epithermal and mixed sediment-hosted deposits combined, and 49% of these resources are reported in Australia, Russia, Peru and Canada alone. The reported Pb-Zn resources appear to be sufficient to meet global demand for both Pb and Zn until 2050, although this estimate is most certainly a minimum, as our case studies indicate a prevailing trend of deposits cumulatively producing well beyond their reported resources over time. Indeed, despite increasing historical production of Pb and Zn, estimated reserves and resources have also increased, and this is expected to continue.We also present an analysis and review of additional aspects affecting the future sustainability of Pb-Zn resources, including an account of the history of Pb-Zn mining, case studies and trends in reporting, classifications of the dominant Pb-Zn mineral deposit types, analysis of reported by-product companion metals, review of tailings resource potential and case studies on the numerous challenges in environmental management historically faced for Pb-Zn mining. These analyses, alongside our comprehensive resource data, indicate that the future supply of Pb and Zn is likely to be governed by prevailing economic, social and environmental factors, much more so than sheer resource constraints.     

Age constraints and tectonic settings of metallogenic and magmatic events in the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded area

The paper presents new isotope geochronological data for several mineral deposits, ore occurrences, and related igneous bodies (plutons and dikes) in the Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded area, eastern Yakutia. Twenty-one ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica and four U-Pb zircon dates provide the first age constraints on key metallogenic units in the area. The dating results allow correlation between tectonic, magmatic, and metallogenic events. The sampled mineral deposits within the Adycha-Taryn fault zone in the southeastern Verkhoyansk-Chersky orogen apparently formed at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary during the final phase of the collision between the Siberian (North Asian) craton and the Kolyma-Omolon microcontinent (Kupol’noe deposit and the early metallogenic pulse of the Malotarynskoe deposit, ~ 143-144 Ma) and in the latest Early Cretaceous, in the beginning of the orogen collapse (Tallalakh and Dora-Pil’ deposits and the Malotarynskoe late metallogenic pulse, ~ 126 Ma). According to the suggested new classification of metallogenic units, these deposits belong to the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Yana-Kolyma metallogenic belt. The Kyuchus deposit (~ 106 Ma), the Deputatsky ore cluster (~ 106-113 Ma), and the Khotoidokh deposit (~ 116 Ma) in the northern Verkhoyansk-Kolyma folded area belong to the North Verkhoyansk metallogenic belt. Their origin was associated with accretional and collisional processes that produced the Novosibirsk-Chukotka orogen in the middle Cretaceous. The Mangazeya ore cluster (~ 100 Ma, Early-Late Cretaceous boundary) in the southwestern end of the North Tirekhtyakh magmatic transverse belt belongs to the West Verkhoyansk metallogenic belt. The Nezhdaninskoe, Zaderzhnoe, Kurum, and Kuta deposits of the South Verkhoyansk area (~ 125-120 and ~ 100-95 Ma) can be joined into a single Verkhoyansk-Okhotsk metallogenic belt. The belt resulted from accretion and collision along the East Asian active continental margin and the related formation of the South Verkhoyansk orogen in the Early Cretaceous.     

厚结壳的形成条件及控制因素分析

当前对于大洋厚结壳的研究较少,而厚结壳是未来开发利用的重点,同时它记录的地质历史长,控制和影响结壳生长发育的各种因素必然能在厚结壳上充分体现出来。因此,开展厚结壳的形成条件及控制因素的研究,具有重要的理论与现实意义。文章利用GIS空间分析技术与地质统计方法,对厚结壳的定义、结壳厚度与水深、结壳厚度与基岩、结壳生长与构造活动、结壳厚度与沉积速率、结壳厚度与经纬度、结壳厚度与主成矿元素之间的关系进行了分析,结果表明,结壳的厚度变化受控于水深、基岩、构造活动、沉积速率、经纬度等因素,同时结壳厚度与主成矿元素之间存在明显的相关性。     

世界海底富钴结壳资源分布特征

大洋富钴结壳资源是潜在的海底金属资源。文章对富钴结壳资源在太平洋、大西洋和印度洋分布的数据进行收集、整理、筛选、建库,从全球角度出发,对富钴结壳的分布特征进行了分析和对比。研究发现,海山、洋脊、海盆和陆坡4种地貌的Co品位分别为0.70%、0.46%、0.50%和0.43%,海山地貌更有利于高Co品位结壳的产出。三大洋中,太平洋海山富钴结壳矿点的分布比例占到了已知总数的73.3%,说明太平洋海山区是世界海底富钴结壳资源主要的产出区。根据入库数据的分布特点,在全球划分出10个富钴结壳成矿区,结合结壳的厚度和分布水深,从各成矿区中划分出富集区,并按照2 cm厚度和4 cm厚度的标准分别对富集区的富钴结壳资源量进行了估算。计算结果显示,太平洋富矿区的富钴结壳质量最好,w（Mn）、w（Co）、w（Ni）、w（Cu）平均分别为23.00%、0.66%、0.44%、0.09%,干结壳资源量分别为2426.33 Mt、70.30 Mt、48.75 Mt、10.30 Mt;按4 cm厚度指标,w（Mn）、w（Co）、w（Ni）、w（Cu）平均分别为23.70%、0.58%、0.48%、0.11%,干结壳资源量分别为1184.53 Mt、29.76 Mt、24.53 Mt、5.01 Mt。