In addition to the large nodules of manganese dioxide that pave some regions of the ocean floor, much finely divided (74 micron) of sediment samples prepared for the study of foraminifera are examined with a microscope. As a byproduct of our study of the foraminifera in many deep-sea sediment cores, thousands of washed samples have accumulated in our laboratory together with notes on the occurrence of manganese oxide in cores. The objective of our study has been to search for clues regarding the conditions most favorable for precipitation of manganese oxide, by reviewing our notes and re-examining some of the washed samples, and particularly to look for a possible connection between vertical variations in abundance of manganese oxide and the climatically induced layering of the cored sediments.

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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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: Ericson, David B; Wollin, Goesta (1973): Precipitation of manganese oxide in deep-sea sediments. 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, 99-103