Estimation of Manganese Nodule Coverage Using Multi-Beam Amplitude Data

Tao, Chunhui; Jin, Xin; Bian, Aifei; Li, Hongxing; Deng, Xin; Zhou, Jianping; Gu, C.D.; Wu, Tao; Wilkens, Roy H

doi:10.1080/1064119x.2013.806973

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Furthermore, we commonly observed correlations between the backscatter intensity and the nodule distribution density (Figures S7-S28, supplementary material) at all dive sites in the entire dataset region, even outside the type location (will be discussed in detail in the following section). These observations are consistent with previous theoretical investigations (Chunhui et al 2015). An exception to these consistencies was observed at site 6 K#1460 (Figures S10 and S11; Table S1, supplementary material) caused by a cover of thin pelagic sediment on a dense ferromanganese nodule field.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 94%

“…Indeed, certain applications using a deep-towed side scan sonar (Lee and Kim 2004;Wiedicke and Weber 1996) demonstrate highresolution mapping results for nodule fields at once only covering an area of several hundreds of square metres. In contrast, some previous investigations using vessel-equipped MBES identified variations of distributions over an area of tens or hundreds of square kilometres of lava (Hirano et al 2006(Hirano et al , 2013(Hirano et al , 2016 or nodules (Chakraborty and Kodagali 2004;Chunhui et al 2015;Machida et al 2016) based on backscatter intensity levels. Therefore, vesselequipped MBES can provide a more economical exploration for vast areas than that provided by underwater apparatuses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

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Visualisation method for the broad distribution of seafloor ferromanganese deposits

Machida

Sato

Yasukawa

et al. 2019

Marine Georesources & Geotechnology

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The increasing global demand for industrially critical metals has driven the development of deepsea mineral resources. In the past, acoustic exploration has been utilised as an efficient technique for investigating deep-sea mineral resources. However, a practical method applicable to a wide distribution of resources has not yet been established. We show that the acoustic backscatter intensity of the seafloor determined using a vessel-equipped multi-narrow beam echo sounder provides an inherent threshold that bounds different types of geology, e.g. barren pelagic sediment and dense ferromanganese nodules. We found that multiple datasets from different sounders and/or the observation periods could be integrated on the basis of the thresholds that indicate the same geological boundaries. Furthermore, the integrated data and threshold provided visualisation and quantitative estimations regarding the distribution of ferromanganese deposits covering thousands of square kilometres. Our method is applicable after minimal data processing and ground-truth observations, and provides expeditious and exhaustive reconnaissance exploration.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Visualisation method for the broad distribution of seafloor ferromanganese deposits

Machida

Sato

Yasukawa

et al. 2019

Marine Georesources & Geotechnology

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“…The wide swath of MBES means that its potential use in geological interpretation and mineral resource estimation is attractive. COMRA ( [38]) used acoustic response in their Multi-Frequency Exploration System (MFES), which was refined by Tao et al [56]. Knobloch et al [57] included MBES response in their combined artificial neural network and geostatistical mineral resource estimation, and Wong et al [58] observed >85% average accuracy for their study area, using a combination of bathymetry and backscatter processed through an artificial neural network.…”

Section: Geology Of Polymetallic Nodule Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aspects of Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources of Seabed Polymetallic Nodules: A Contemporaneous Case Study

Parianos¹,

Lipton²,

Nimmo³

2021

Minerals

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Exploration of seabed polymetallic nodules identifies the Clarion Clipperton Zone and the Indian Ocean Nodule Field to be of economic interest. Mineral resource estimation is important to the owner of the resource (all of mankind; and managed by the International Seabed Authority; ISA) and to developers (commercial and government groups holding contracts with the ISA). The Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards was developed for the land-based minerals industry and adapted in 2015 for ISA-managed nodules. Nodules can be sampled in a meaningful manner using mechanical devices, albeit with minor issues of bias. Grade and moisture content are measured using the established methodology for land-based minerals. Tonnage of resource is determined via the abundance of nodules in kilograms per square metre of seabed. This can be estimated from physical samples and, in some cases, from photographs. Contemporary resource reporting for nodules classify the level of confidence in the estimate, by considering deposit geology, sample geostatistics, etc. The reporting of estimates also addresses reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, including factors such as mining technology, the marine environment, metallurgical processing, and metals markets. Other requirements are qualified persons responsible for estimation and reporting, site inspection, and sample chain of custody.

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“…The estimation of seafloor nodule coverage on the seafloor photographs is based on manual or automatic (using computer software) contouring of nodules. Multi-beam data [6] were also used for this purpose.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Possibilities and Limitations of the Use of Seafloor Photographs for Estimating Polymetallic Nodule Resources—Case Study from IOM Area, Pacific Ocean

Wasilewska-Błaszczyk

Mucha

2020

Minerals

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Direct seafloor sampling using, e.g., box corers is insufficient to obtain an acceptable accuracy of nodule resource estimates in small parts of potential deposits. In order to increase the reliability of the estimates, it was rational to use the results of photographic surveys of the seafloor. However, the estimation of nodule abundance based on seafloor photographs is associated with a number of problems and limitations. The main goal of the study was a statistical analysis of the role and interrelationships of selected factors affecting the accuracy of nodule abundance assessment based on seafloor photographs from the H22 exploration block located in the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) area in the Pacific. A statistically significant, but only moderately strong, correlation was found between the abundance of nodules and seafloor nodule coverage (quantitative variables), the nodule abundance and genetic type of nodules (ordinal variable estimated visually from photos), and between seafloor coverage with nodules and sediment coverage of nodules (ordinal variable estimated visually from photos). It was suggested that the nodule abundance could be effectively and more accurately predicted using a general linear model that includes both quantitative and ordinal variables.

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Estimation of Manganese Nodule Coverage Using Multi-Beam Amplitude Data

Cited by 12 publications

References 23 publications

Visualisation method for the broad distribution of seafloor ferromanganese deposits

Visualisation method for the broad distribution of seafloor ferromanganese deposits

Aspects of Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources of Seabed Polymetallic Nodules: A Contemporaneous Case Study

Possibilities and Limitations of the Use of Seafloor Photographs for Estimating Polymetallic Nodule Resources—Case Study from IOM Area, Pacific Ocean

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