In 1969, Kennecott Exploration Inc (KEI) was formed and between 1970 and 1974 KEI conducted seven exploration campaigns for manganese deposits. With progressively more detailed sampling and survey work including dredging for bulk samples in 1972 (up to 197 tons of nodules) this effort was concentrated in the so-called Clarion-Clipperton Zone of North-Central Pacific. For the preparation of these survaeys, a systematic geochemical assessment of existing samples of manganese nodules and crusts in the Pacific area were conducted under the supervision of Mr. David Felix, Chief Geologist. Some of these analyses wre informaly transmitted to the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and later added to the NOAA-MMS database.9 manganese nodules and crusts fom the North Pacific Ocean (ARIES Scripps expedition), 2 manganese nodules from Central Pacific (Vema 32 Lamont Expedition) and 3 manganese nodules from the Indian Ocean (Eltanin cruises 45 and 55) were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) after total acid digestion.

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1989 NOAA-NCEI compiled the NOAA-MMS Marine Minerals Geochemical Database from journal articles, technical reports and unpublished sources from other institutions.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 Appendix - Part 1, pp. 340-350 of the related report.