Growth rates of ferromanganese encrustations on rocks from the Romanche Fracture Zone, Equatorial Atlantic
Abstract
Based on radiochemical techniques, ferromanganese oxide crusts from the Romanche
Fracture Zone (RFZ) have accretion rates ranging between 1.4 and 2.8 mm/10 years. In
comparison with other ferromanganese deposits, the accretion rates for the RFZ crusts are close to the growth rates for typical hydrogenetic deposits formed on elevations and exposed rock surfaces in the Pacific Ocean. This would suggest that the RFZ crusts are formed by slow accumulation of metal hydroxides from the water column. probably in a manner analogous to the Pacific seamount crusts.
Citation
Deep-Sea Research. Vol. 39. No.2. pp. 235-244. 1992Publisher
Department of Geology, University of Nairobi
Description
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