Ocean manganese nodules as stromatolite with a fractal like-signature

Deep-sea manganese (Mn) nodules are problematic in terms of factors such as their characteristic form and genesis. There are many reports of bacterial species from manganese nodules. However, the genesis of these nodules has not been fully confirmed. Samples, mainly from the Clarion Clipperton Fracture zone in the Pacific Ocean, were examined by mineralogical methods and X-ray CT. Thin sections of these samples showed columnar stromatolite structures with rhythmic bands. Mineralized bacteria were observed by SEM and TEM. Surface morphology could be described as having a fractal-like nature. The fractal characteristics of spherical to dome-like forms were fundamentally composed of at least four ranks. The 4th order form corresponds to the stromatolite dome top shapes. Similar granular domain units and porous characteristics in manganese nodules were clearly observed by X-ray CT sections. Mathematical simulation based on fractal models reproduced similar morphological characteristics to the natural samples. So, we arrived at the concluding hypothesis that manganese nodules are aggregated stromatolite with fractal-like characteristics. Furthermore, we discussed the possibility that the nature of the layer manganese oxide minerals as the major component of the nodule and associated Fe-oxyhydroxide minerals may become an absorber/scavenger of strategic heavy metals and also toxic metals in the environments.     

Sinks of iron and manganese in underground coal mine workings

The sources and sinks of manganese in underground coal mine workings are poorly understood compared to those of iron. The geochemical system in the secondary egress drift of Caphouse Colliery near Horbury, UK, is an ideal system for studying these processes. Five locations along the drift and four secondary inflows to the drift were sampled 24 times through the year commencing May 2005. During the sampling period, the pH in the main channel varied from 6.73 to 7.93 and increased along the flow path. The secondary inflows to the drift from the strata were of higher alkalinity (mean = 385 mg/L as CaCO₃) than the main flow (mean = 330 mg/L as CaCO₃); the affects of mixing between the less alkaline main channel and the more alkaline secondary inflows and of carbon dioxide exsolution are evident in the form of carbonate and hydroxide precipitates. SEM and XRD analysis of precipitates collected from the drift confirm the presence of calcium and manganese carbonates and ferric hydroxide. PHREEQC speciation and solubility modelling confirms supersaturation of the water in the main channel with respect to ferric oxy-hydroxides; iron, manganese, magnesium and calcium carbonates; and manganese oxides. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Comparison between Datangpo-type manganese ores and modern marine ferromanganese oxyhydroxide precipitates based on rare earth elements

Datangpo-type sedimentary manganese deposits, which are located in northeastern Guizhou province and its adjacent areas, are Mn carbonate-type deposits hosted in black carbonaceous shale that represent a series of medium to large deposits containing a huge tonnage of reserves. PAAS-normalized rare earth element distribution patterns of manganese ores record “hat-shaped” REY (REE + Y) plots characterized by pronounced middle rare earth element enrichment, evident positive Ce anomalies, weak to strong positive Eu anomalies and negligible negative Y anomalies. These REY geochemical characteristics are different from those of country rocks and record the processes and features of sedimentation and diagenesis. Manganese was precipitated as Mn-oxyhydroxide particles in oxidized water columns with the sorption of a certain amount of rare earth elements, subsequently transforming from Mn-oxyhydroxides to rhodochrosite and redistributing REY in reducing alkaline pore-water during early diagenesis. A number of similarities can be observed through a comparison of Datangpo-type manganese ores and modern marine ferromanganese oxyhydroxide precipitates based on their rare earth elements. The precipitation of Datangpo-type manganese ores is similar to that of hydrogenetic crusts and nodules based on their positive Ce anomalies and relatively higher total REY concentrations. However, several differences also exist. Compared to hydrogenetic crusts and nodules, Datangpo-type manganese ores record smaller positive Ce anomalies, lower total REY concentrations, unobvious fractionation between Y and Ho, and weak to strong positive Eu anomalies. These were caused by quicker sedimentary rates in the oxic water columns of the shallower basin, after which pore water became strongly reducing and alkaline due to the degradation of organic matter in the early diagenetic stage. In addition, compared to typical deposits in the world, Datangpo-type manganese ores are similar to hydrogenetic deposits and different than hydrothermal deposits. All of these characteristics of manganese ores indicate that Datangpo-type manganese ores, the principal metallogenic factors of which include oxidation conditions during deposition and reducing conditions during early diagenetic stages, represent hydrogenetic deposits.     

大洋多金属结核成因新说

１９９４－１９９５年对东太平洋锰结核包壳及其内部纹层构造作光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜的系统研究。结果表明,深海锰结核是一种锰质核形石,其包壳是叠层石。光滑状和瘤状锰质核形石分别是由微小叠层石和奇异叠层石构成,而叠层石则由纳米级微生物建造而成。新近发现的中华微放线菌和太平洋螺球孢菌分别是微小叠层石和奇异叠层石的建造者。     

Study on mineral structural stability of marine 1nm manganate

I~D~IONThe numerous research results on the deep-sea manganese nodules show that the most valuable metal elements such as Cu, Ni are mainly concentrated in the manganese minerals, which only take about 15% Of the weight in the total manganese nodules, therefore, many marine scien.tists pay more attention in their research on the manganese minerals rather than the other mineralsin the deep-sea maganeses nodules.There are more than tens of different kinds of manganese mineral phases in the nod…     

类质同象的研究方法及意义

结合研究史作者论述了元素类质同象、间隙原子和固溶体概念的异同。指出类质同象元素的3个属性：同生性、共生性和同晶体化学位。提出元素统计式均匀分布为鉴别类质同象状态的理论准则,例举电子探针、矿物物性鉴别“杂质”属性的可行性,指出电子探针方法为最佳选择。论述了类质同象的重要地学意义：岩浆演化的指示剂和地质温压计。提出类质同象副成分作为找矿地球化学标志的新思路。元素不同存在状态的查定在矿产资源评价中具有重要意义。     

中国锰矿资源现状与潜力分析

全国矿产资源潜力评价预测工作,按照矿床模型综合地质信息矿产预测方法,全国各省分预测工作区对不同的矿产预测类型,分别按500,1 000,2 000 m预测深度对锰矿圈定了最小预测区。使用地质参数体积法估算了潜在的资源量。以此为基础,进一步圈定3级预测区,分析了重要的锰矿潜力区,为今后的勘查部署提供参考。     

钙锰矿的研究进展

钙锰矿是土壤、沉积物及海洋锰结核中常见的以3×3结构为主的一族大隧道构造氧化锰矿物.隧道中存在水分子和阳离子,形貌以片状、针状或纤维状为主.水钠锰矿→布塞尔矿→钙锰矿的转化是钙锰矿形成的一个重要途径.这种转化在常压条件下受体系温度、pH、共存粘土矿物、转化时间以及前驱物布塞尔矿亚结构特点,如层间交换离子类型、浓度、以水合离子形态或与MnO6八面体空穴上方键合的强弱、结晶度、Mn(Ⅲ)的含量与迁移特点等因素影响.钙锰矿独特的结构使其所具有的离子吸附、氧化与催化特性及分子级的隧道空间等有望作为特异的分子筛、二次电池正极材料、有机反应催化荆等在环境科学和材料科学等领域具有广阔的应用前景.     

Desert varnish and petroglyphs on sandstone – Geochemical composition and climate changes from Pleistocene to Holocene (Libya)

Desert varnish of pristine sandstone and petroglyph surfaces from Takabart Kabort (Naturalistic Bubaline Art School) and Alamas (Tanzina Art School) can be well classified by their (SiO₂+Al₂O₃):MnO₂, Al₂O₃:SiO₂, and P₂O₅:CaO ratios. Specific ratios are due to the occurrence of clay minerals like illite, kaolinite, smectite, and feldspar, quartz, carbonates like calcite and dolomite, manganese oxyhydroxides, and apatite. Their occurrence corresponds to the local origin and composition of the primary aeolian material.

In general, the analyzed desert varnish shows lamination patterns characterized by alternating MnO₂-rich and -poor layers (25 wt% MnO₂) at rather constant iron oxyhydroxide content (6 wt% Fe₂O₃). Varnish on non-engraved surfaces exhibits three MnO₂-rich layers, whereas varnish-coated petroglyphs reveal minor lamination patterns corresponding to the dating of petroglyphs by rock art. The older Naturalistic Bubaline Art School petroglyphs (about 6–4 ka BP) and the younger Tazina Art School petroglyphs (about 3.8–3 ka BP) contain only two and one MnO₂-rich layer, respectively. It is assumed that the occurrence of such microlaminations is caused by climate changes in North Africa. Three humid periods are discerned from the Terminal Pleistocene to Holocene in the literature. Such periods are suitable to induce manganese accumulation by biotic and abiotic processes. Accordingly, the distinct lamination patterns gained from this study verify the dating of petroglyphs by rock art. From another point of view, classification of the above petroglyphs may be provided by analyses of microlaminations independently on cultural historical aspects.