Abundance of trace and rare earth elements (REE) in ferromanganese nodules of the central Indian ocean basin

Ferromanganese nodules of CIOB contains significant concentrations of Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Co and rare earth elements (REEs). To decide occurrence and enrichment processes of those metals in nodules, we carried out excessive-resolution mineralogical and geochemical research on Mn-nodules. Nodules display an excessive average abundance of Mn (avg. 25.63%), slight Fe (avg. 8.91%) and low contents of trace elements and REEs compared to moderate content of nodules from different oceanic areas. Some crucial metals of economic interest, notably Co, Cu, Ni, Mo, and Zn are lower in nodules of CIOB than in nodules from different oceans. They are rich in REEs, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Mo, Ni, Zn and other useful metals.Here, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), an experimental technique with characteristics of correct principle, apparent interference, smooth operation, and reliable results have been used for bulk chemical analyses for trace and REEs of various size nodules. Twenty-nine elements viz. V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Rb, Sr, Nb, Mo, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Pb, Th and U were measured. The concentrations of these twenty-nine elements in nodules are strategic REEs resource and could be used for resource exploration, environmental assessment and will likely catalyze further advanced analysis investigation of seabed resources in CIOB.