A seabed nuclear probe which was designed to measure up to 30 elements at parts per thousand to parts per hundred levels has been tested for the analysis of simulated manganese nodule fields. The probe contains a neutron source, californium-252, which activates the elements in the nodules. The resulting radioelements which emit characteristic gamma radiation are analyzed in situ during 2 to 200 second counting intervals with Ge{(Li) or NaI(Tl) detector systems. The spectra taken in situ in a marine environment show excellent resolution and indicated the feasibility of mapping the density and economic value of manganese nodules. The study demonstrated the feasibility of in situ analysis to map the Mn, Al, Co, V, and Cu concentrations in manganese nodule fields, and this information together with correlations between Ni, Co, Cu, and Mn obtained from a related study indicates that Ni concentrations can also be rather precisely estimated.

From 1983 until 1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions. At the time it was the most extended data compilation on ferromanganese deposits world wide. Initially published in a proprietary format incompatible with present day standards it was jointly decided by AWI and NOAA to transcribe this legacy data into PANGAEA. This transfer is augmented by a careful checking of the original sources when available and the encoding of ancillary information (sample description, method of analysis...) not present in the NOAA-MMS database.

Supplement to: Wogmann, N A; Rieck, H G; Nielson, H L (1973): In situ analysis of the major and minor elements in manganese nodule fields. In: Phase I Report - Inter-University Program of Research on Ferromanganese Deposits of the Ocean Floor. Seabed Assessment Program, IDOE, NSF, Washington D.C., USA, 179-185