Ferromanganese nodules form a specific category of widespread marine mineral deposits. The tremendous increase in metal prices during the last decade raised new economic interest in their exploration. The German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), which had been engaged in nodule research in the 1970s and 1980s, renewed its activities on this subject based on an exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority, signed in 2006._x000D_
BGR's licence area - comprising 75 000 km2 - is located between the Clarion and the Clipperton Fracture Zones. In this so-called nodule belt north of the equator the sea floor reaches water depths of >4000 m. About 900 million tonnes of manganese nodules are expected there._x000D_
In this study the fine-scale distribution of important elements in manganese nodules and crusts from a variety of locations was investigated. Besides 11 samples from the RV SONNE cruise SO-25, numerous samples from additional locations were included in this study for comparison. In general, the sample suite includes two genetic types of precipitates, manganese nodules and Co-rich crusts._x000D_
A detailed characterisation of the distribution of major, minor and important trace elements in manganese nodules based on in situ microenergy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (-EDXRF) analysis is presented here. The data are compared with bulk major, minor and trace element data as well as with quantitative electron probe microanalysis (EMPA) data sets. The element distribution maps and profiles produced by -EDXRF analysis with short or extended (in case of profiles) counting times, allow precise selection of regions of interest' for further detailed investigation using high spatial resolution techniques (eg scanning electron microscope (SEM)-EDAX; laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICPMS); isotopic studies).