The bulk compositions of Samoan Basin nodules were determined for this study, and these data have been compiled with those of Glasby, et al. (1975) to form Appendix L. Silicon, aluminum, calcium, and iron percentages were obtained by X-ray fluorescence analysis. Manganese, nickel, copper and cobalt contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The whole Mn nodule or part of its outer manganese rich rind (as indicated in the table) were dried at 110°C for about 48 hours, and ground to a fine powder.

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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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.This dataset represents the digitized version of Appendix L - pp. 303 of the related publication.