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DEEP SEA GEOMET: POLYMETALLIC NODULE GEOCHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE SEAFLOOR MINING

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dc.contributor.authorMitchell, Nicholas Reid
dc.contributor.chairOlson Hoal, Karin Elizabeth
dc.contributor.committeeMemberPritchard, Matthew
dc.contributor.committeeMemberKeranen, Kade
dc.date.accessioned2022-09-15T15:49:15Z
dc.date.available2022-12-02T07:00:27Z
dc.date.issued2022-05
dc.description196 pages
dc.description.abstractDeep sea mining of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) is a method for sourcing critical minerals for renewable energy and battery technologies. In this study, seafloor nodules from the CCZ were analyzed using μ-XRF, p-XRF, X- CT, and whole rock geochemistry. For the first time, the complexities of internal nodule variability were spatially documented using element deportment (primarily Ni-Cu-Mn vs. Fe-Pb-Ti; Cl and Si) and mineral speciation from 10 Å vernadite to todorokite, evident by the presence of layered accretion and deformation structures. Nodules of smaller mass were observed in correlation with higher Ni concentrations and lower Cl concentrations. Si deportment was observed in correlation with macro-pores. These findings led to the development of a geometallurgy (geomet) approach for ore sorting by nodule mass and porosity. Policy guidance was drafted for the International Seabed Authority's Mining Code supporting the use of geoscientific analysis for more robust environmental planning.
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.7298/dr2g-gb56
dc.identifier.otherMitchell_cornell_0058O_11480
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dissertations.umi.com/cornell:11480
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1813/111638
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectDeep sea mining
dc.subjectEconomic geology
dc.subjectGeometallurgy
dc.subjectMineralogy
dc.subjectPolymetallic nodule
dc.subjectResource
dc.titleDEEP SEA GEOMET: POLYMETALLIC NODULE GEOCHEMISTRY AND MINERALOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE SEAFLOOR MINING
dc.typedissertation or thesis
dcterms.licensehttps://hdl.handle.net/1813/59810.2
thesis.degree.disciplineGeological Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorCornell University
thesis.degree.levelMaster of Science
thesis.degree.nameM.S., Geological Sciences

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