Buried nodules and associated sediments from the central Indian Basin

Abstract

Buried nodules from siliceous sediments in the central Indian Basin are morphologically variable and mineralogically consist of d-MnO2 incipient todorokite. Compositionally they are weakly diagenetic. The sediment coarse fractions ( 63 mu m) at different depths show variable abundances of micronodules, volcanic glass shards and biodebris. Dissolution of biodebris increases and abundance of micronodules decreases with increasing depth. Enrichment in Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, together with a decrease in organic carbon in the sediment column, may result from diagenetic metal remobilization. Diagenetically remobilized trace metals might have been utilized for the growth of micronodules over the buried nodules.