The X-ray diffraction analyzes of two ferromanganese crust samples found at the base of the Klaus red Jurassic limestone beds of the Unterberg formation indicate pyrolusite as the main mineral. The crusts contain also a range of trace elements in concentrations comparable of present day oceanic deposits. The low Fe/Mn ratio found in sample 06-32a is in agreement with the geochemical data from Pacific Ocean manganese nodules and crusts of hydrothermal genesis. However, the simultaneously high contents in cerium and yttrium (rare earth metals) are more likely to suggest a precipitation of the manganese from the free water column (hydrogenetic origin). In addition, there are no identified hydrothermal sources in the vicinity of the hosting limestone beds. Iron-rich manganese nodules have also been found in the Jurrasic limestones beds of the Ruhpolding formation. In these deposits, hematite is the dominant mineral phase. The high Fe/Mn ratio as well the detritic material they contain (quartz, mica) lead to a possible continental margin origin for these nodules.

Samples have been reduced to powder, heated at 110° C for H2O+ determination and then ignited up to 1100°C.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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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: Bryda, G; Hobiger, G; Mandl, G W; Wimmer-Frey, I (2009): Mineralogie und Geochemie einiger Eisen/Mangankrusten und -knollen aus Rotkalken des Mitteljura der Kalkalpen = Mineralogy and geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts and nodules from Middle Jurassic red limestones of the Kalkalpen, Austria. Arbeitstagung Geologische Bundesanstalt, Leoben, 212-217