Manganese nodule data collected by the State Oceanic Administration in 1987. 1988. 1990 by the R/V “Xiang Yang Hong 16" were used to study the regional distribution patterns and local variation features of nodules in the C1arion-Clipperton Zone (CC Zone)( 134° - 157°W), and to analyze the geologic and geographic environmental factors and their variation trends in this area. The control of environmental factors on nodule distribution is discussed.
The study showed obvious W-E and N-S distribution patterns of nodule abundance, coverage, morphology, size and chemical composition in the CC Zone where the regional geologic and geographic environment variations of biologic productivity, antarctic bottom water (AABW), regional geological tectonics and volcanic activity, water depth, seafloor topography, sediments and sedimentation rate, etc, obviously control the regional-scale nodule distribution here.
The complicated local-scale nodule variation is mainly controlled by the complex local variation of seafloor topography, AABW, sedimentation rate, etc. |