Manganese nodules collected from three areas (C, F, and G) on a N-S equatorial Pacific transect at 134° W by R. V. Sonne show differences in size, morphology, surface density and composition which can best be interpreted in terms of the biogenic theory of nodule formation. These data indicate that the biogenic hypothesis is central to an understanding of manganese nodule genesis in the equatorial Pacific and in particular influences the nodule shape, surface texture, rate of growth, composition, and mineralogy. The nodule characteristics in this region are also influenced by the hydrological characteristics of the bottom water, sedimentation rates, local geological and tectonic conditions (including seeding eflects) and topography.

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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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: Friedrich, G; Glasby, Geoffrey P; Thijssen, Theo; Plüger, W L (1983): Morphological and geochemical characteristics of manganese nodules collected from three areas on an Equatorial Pacific transect by RV Sonne. Marine Mining, 4, 167-253