Birnessite/todorokite, uncharacterized iron and manganese hydroxides. Pacific Ocean




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250µm


In this manganese nodule, collomorphic banding comprises intimate mixtures of manganese- and iron-bearing hydroxide minerals. Higher reflectance bands (white-grey) are bireflecting and anisotropic (in oil) and comprise birnessite and todorokite. Their presence was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Lower reflectance bands (brown-grey) comprise poorly crystalline manganese and iron hydroxides and are less well polished. A detrital silicate grain (dark grey, bottom centre) is present. Medium grey areas are mainly resin and black areas are polishing pits.


Polished block, plane polarized light, x 80, air



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