Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

James Hein

zation

Geologist Emeritus with the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Science and Products

Collage of black nodules or rocks of varying sizes and shapes, each 1-7 inches wide, broken in half to show their cores.

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

The Global Marine Mineral Resources project studies deep ocean minerals that occur within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and areas beyond national jurisdictions. Our research concerns the setting, genesis, and metal enrichment processes of mineral occurrences, the relationship between marine minerals and deep-sea biota, and the potential geochemical footprint of any seafloor mining. We aim to...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Global Seabed Mineral Resources

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

The Global Marine Mineral Resources project studies deep ocean minerals that occur within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and areas beyond national jurisdictions. Our research concerns the setting, genesis, and metal enrichment processes of mineral occurrences, the relationship between marine minerals and deep-sea biota, and the potential geochemical footprint of any seafloor mining. We aim to...
Learn More

Geochemistry and x-ray diffraction data for hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks from the Samoa hotspot region in the South Pacific Ocean collected during research expedition KM0506 Geochemistry and x-ray diffraction data for hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks from the Samoa hotspot region in the South Pacific Ocean collected during research expedition KM0506

Hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks were collected via dredge from the Tulaga Seamount, the flank of Ofu Island, and from Soso seamount in the Samoa hotspot region offshore American Samoa during the KM0506 cruise aboard the R/V Kilo Moana in April of 2005. Rocks were subsampled at USGS and analyzed for mineralogy by x-ray diffraction as well as sent to SGS laboratories, Canada for major...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Global ferromanganese crust and abyssal ferromanganese nodule prospective occurrence regions Global ferromanganese crust and abyssal ferromanganese nodule prospective occurrence regions

This data release is a polygon shapefile representing prospective occurrence regions of ferromanganese crusts and abyssal ferromanganese nodules on the seafloor throughout the global oceans. Polygons represent areas where oceanographic criteria, such as low sedimentation rate and moderate primary productivity, overlap with geologic criteria, including regions with appropriate seafloor...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Arctic Ocean Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Arctic Ocean

Ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks were collected via dredge within the Amerasia Basin in the Arctic Ocean during USCGC icebreaker Healy cruises HLY0805, HLY0905, and HLY1202 in 2008, 2009, and 2012 respectively. Dredged samples were donated and sent to USGS for subsampling and major and trace element geochemical analyses. Major and trace element data as...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Measurements of zinc, oxygen, and pH, from sphalerite and ZnS oxidation in seawater Measurements of zinc, oxygen, and pH, from sphalerite and ZnS oxidation in seawater

This data release presents the concentration of zinc, oxygen, pH, temperature, and the time point at which measurements were taken for experimental oxidation work regarding zinc and copper sulfide minerals. These data accompany the following publication: Gartman, A., Whisman, S.P., and Hein, J.R., 2020, Interactive oxidation of sphalerite and covellite in seawater: implications for...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sorbed-water (H2O-) corrected chemistry for ferromanganese crust samples from the western equatorial Pacific Ocean Sorbed-water (H2O-) corrected chemistry for ferromanganese crust samples from the western equatorial Pacific Ocean

Ferromanganese crust samples were collected via dredge during four oceanographic research cruises to the western equatorial Pacific Ocean. The location (latitude, longitude, depth) and concentrations of 27 major and trace elements in the most recent growth layers of ferromanganese crusts from 57 dredge sites are presented here, as well as select seawater chemistry at each location. These...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 168

Controls on ferromanganese crust composition and reconnaissance resource potential, Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean Controls on ferromanganese crust composition and reconnaissance resource potential, Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean

A reconnaissance survey of Fe-Mn crusts from the 5000 km long (~31°S to 10°N) Ninetyeast Ridge (NER) in the Indian Ocean shows their widespread occurrence along the ridge as well as with water depth on the ridge flanks. The crusts are hydrogenetic based in growth rates and discrimination plots. Twenty samples from 12 crusts from 9 locations along the ridge were analyzed for chemical and
Authors
James R. Hein, Tracey A. Conrad, Kira Mizell, Virupaxa K. Banakar, Frederick A. Frey, William W. Sager
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Manganese nodules Manganese nodules

The existence of manganese (Mn) nodules (Figure 1) has been known since the late 1800s when they were collected during the Challenger expedition of 1873–1876. However, it was not until after WWII that nodules were further studied in detail for their ability to adsorb metals from seawater. Many of the early studies did not distinguish Mn nodules from Mn crusts. Economic interest in Mn...
Authors
James R. Hein
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Cobalt-rich manganese crusts Cobalt-rich manganese crusts

No abstract available.
Authors
James R. Hein
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions

The Cook Islands (CIs) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompasses 1,977,000 km2 and includes the Penrhyn and Samoa basins abyssal plains where manganese nodules flourish due to the availability of prolific nucleus material, slow sedimentation rates, and strong bottom currents. A group of CIs nodules was analyzed for mineralogical and chemical composition, which include many critical...
Authors
James R. Hein, Francesca Spinardi, Nobuyuki Okamoto, Kira Mizell, Darryl Thorburn, Akuila Tawake
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Ocean minerals Ocean minerals

Nearly 71 percent of the Earth is covered by ocean, yet during the entire history of societies, the mineral resources essential for nation building have been acquired solely from the continents. Deep-ocean minerals were discovered over a century ago during the Challenger expedition of 1873—1876, but only relatively recently did programs develop to determine their origin, distribution...
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira L. Mizell
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Layered hydrothermal barite-sulfide mound field, East Diamante Caldera, Mariana volcanic arc Layered hydrothermal barite-sulfide mound field, East Diamante Caldera, Mariana volcanic arc

East Diamante is a submarine volcano in the southern Mariana arc that is host to a complex caldera ~5 × 10 km (elongated ENE-WSW) that is breached along its northern and southwestern sectors. A large field of barite-sulfide mounds was discovered in June 2009 and revisited in July 2010 with the R/V Natsushima, using the ROV Hyper-Dolphin. The mound field occurs on the northeast flank of a...
Authors
James R. Hein, Cornel E. J. de Ronde, Randolph A. Koski, Robert G. Ditchburn, Kira Mizell, Yoshihiko Tamura, Robert J. Stern, Tracey Conrad, Osamu Ishizuka, Matthew I. Leybourne
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Energy and minerals science at the U.S. Geological Survey Energy and minerals science at the U.S. Geological Survey

The economy, national security, and standard of living of the United States depend on adequate and reliable supplies of energy and mineral resources. Based on population and consumption trends, the Nation’s and World’s use of energy and minerals is expected to grow, driving the demand for scientific understanding of resource formation, location, and availability. The importance of...
Authors
Richard C. Ferrero, Jonathan J. Kolak, Donald J. Bills, Zachary H. Bowen, Daniel J. Cordier, Tanya J. Gallegos, James R. Hein, Karen D. Kelley, Philip H. Nelson, Vito F. Nuccio, Jeanine M. Schmidt, Robert R. Seal
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program

Deep-ocean ferromanganese crusts and nodules Deep-ocean ferromanganese crusts and nodules

Ferromanganese crusts and nodules may provide a future resource for a large variety of metals, including many that are essential for emerging high- and green-technology applications. A brief review of nodules and crusts provides a setting for a discussion on the latest (past 10 years) research related to the geochemistry of sequestration of metals from seawater. Special attention is...
Authors
James R. Hein, Andrea Koschinsky
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

A Sr-Nd isotopic study of sand-sized sediment provenance and transport for the San Francisco Bay coastal system A Sr-Nd isotopic study of sand-sized sediment provenance and transport for the San Francisco Bay coastal system

A diverse suite of geochemical tracers, including 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios, the rare earth elements (REEs), and select trace elements were used to determine sand-sized sediment provenance and transport pathways within the San Francisco Bay coastal system. This study complements a large interdisciplinary effort (Barnard et al., 2012) that seeks to better understand recent...
Authors
Robert J. Rosenbauer, Amy C. Foxgrover, James R. Hein, Peter W. Swarzenski
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Sand sources and transport pathways for the San Francisco Bay coastal system, based on X-ray diffraction mineralogy Sand sources and transport pathways for the San Francisco Bay coastal system, based on X-ray diffraction mineralogy

The mineralogical compositions of 119 samples collected from throughout the San Francisco Bay coastal system, including bayfloor and seafloor, area beaches, cliff outcrops, and major drainages, were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Comparison of the mineral concentrations and application of statistical cluster analysis of XRD spectra allowed for the determination of provenances...
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Patrick L. Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Integration of bed characteristics, geochemical tracers, current measurements, and numerical modeling for assessing the provenance of beach sand in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System Integration of bed characteristics, geochemical tracers, current measurements, and numerical modeling for assessing the provenance of beach sand in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System

Over 150 million m3 of sand-sized sediment has disappeared from the central region of the San Francisco Bay Coastal System during the last half century. This enormous loss may reflect numerous anthropogenic influences, such as watershed damming, bay-fill development, aggregate mining, and dredging. The reduction in Bay sediment also appears to be linked to a reduction in sediment supply...
Authors
Patrick L. Barnard, Amy C. Foxgrover, Edwin P.L. Elias, Li H. Erikson, James R. Hein, Mary McGann, Kira Mizell, Robert J. Rosenbauer, Peter W. Swarzenski, Renee K. Takesue, Florence L. Wong, Don Woodrow
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: Comparison with land-based deposits Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: Comparison with land-based deposits

No abstract available.
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Andrea Koschinsky, Tracey Conrad
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Science and Products

Collage of black nodules or rocks of varying sizes and shapes, each 1-7 inches wide, broken in half to show their cores.

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

The Global Marine Mineral Resources project studies deep ocean minerals that occur within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and areas beyond national jurisdictions. Our research concerns the setting, genesis, and metal enrichment processes of mineral occurrences, the relationship between marine minerals and deep-sea biota, and the potential geochemical footprint of any seafloor mining. We aim to...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization
Global Seabed Mineral Resources

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

The Global Marine Mineral Resources project studies deep ocean minerals that occur within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and areas beyond national jurisdictions. Our research concerns the setting, genesis, and metal enrichment processes of mineral occurrences, the relationship between marine minerals and deep-sea biota, and the potential geochemical footprint of any seafloor mining. We aim to...
Learn More

Geochemistry and x-ray diffraction data for hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks from the Samoa hotspot region in the South Pacific Ocean collected during research expedition KM0506 Geochemistry and x-ray diffraction data for hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks from the Samoa hotspot region in the South Pacific Ocean collected during research expedition KM0506

Hydrothermal manganese oxide rocks were collected via dredge from the Tulaga Seamount, the flank of Ofu Island, and from Soso seamount in the Samoa hotspot region offshore American Samoa during the KM0506 cruise aboard the R/V Kilo Moana in April of 2005. Rocks were subsampled at USGS and analyzed for mineralogy by x-ray diffraction as well as sent to SGS laboratories, Canada for major...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Global ferromanganese crust and abyssal ferromanganese nodule prospective occurrence regions Global ferromanganese crust and abyssal ferromanganese nodule prospective occurrence regions

This data release is a polygon shapefile representing prospective occurrence regions of ferromanganese crusts and abyssal ferromanganese nodules on the seafloor throughout the global oceans. Polygons represent areas where oceanographic criteria, such as low sedimentation rate and moderate primary productivity, overlap with geologic criteria, including regions with appropriate seafloor...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Arctic Ocean Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks from the Arctic Ocean

Ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and hydrothermally altered rocks were collected via dredge within the Amerasia Basin in the Arctic Ocean during USCGC icebreaker Healy cruises HLY0805, HLY0905, and HLY1202 in 2008, 2009, and 2012 respectively. Dredged samples were donated and sent to USGS for subsampling and major and trace element geochemical analyses. Major and trace element data as...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Measurements of zinc, oxygen, and pH, from sphalerite and ZnS oxidation in seawater Measurements of zinc, oxygen, and pH, from sphalerite and ZnS oxidation in seawater

This data release presents the concentration of zinc, oxygen, pH, temperature, and the time point at which measurements were taken for experimental oxidation work regarding zinc and copper sulfide minerals. These data accompany the following publication: Gartman, A., Whisman, S.P., and Hein, J.R., 2020, Interactive oxidation of sphalerite and covellite in seawater: implications for...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sorbed-water (H2O-) corrected chemistry for ferromanganese crust samples from the western equatorial Pacific Ocean Sorbed-water (H2O-) corrected chemistry for ferromanganese crust samples from the western equatorial Pacific Ocean

Ferromanganese crust samples were collected via dredge during four oceanographic research cruises to the western equatorial Pacific Ocean. The location (latitude, longitude, depth) and concentrations of 27 major and trace elements in the most recent growth layers of ferromanganese crusts from 57 dredge sites are presented here, as well as select seawater chemistry at each location. These...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 168

Controls on ferromanganese crust composition and reconnaissance resource potential, Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean Controls on ferromanganese crust composition and reconnaissance resource potential, Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean

A reconnaissance survey of Fe-Mn crusts from the 5000 km long (~31°S to 10°N) Ninetyeast Ridge (NER) in the Indian Ocean shows their widespread occurrence along the ridge as well as with water depth on the ridge flanks. The crusts are hydrogenetic based in growth rates and discrimination plots. Twenty samples from 12 crusts from 9 locations along the ridge were analyzed for chemical and
Authors
James R. Hein, Tracey A. Conrad, Kira Mizell, Virupaxa K. Banakar, Frederick A. Frey, William W. Sager
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Manganese nodules Manganese nodules

The existence of manganese (Mn) nodules (Figure 1) has been known since the late 1800s when they were collected during the Challenger expedition of 1873–1876. However, it was not until after WWII that nodules were further studied in detail for their ability to adsorb metals from seawater. Many of the early studies did not distinguish Mn nodules from Mn crusts. Economic interest in Mn...
Authors
James R. Hein
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Cobalt-rich manganese crusts Cobalt-rich manganese crusts

No abstract available.
Authors
James R. Hein
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions Critical metals in manganese nodules from the Cook Islands EEZ, abundances and distributions

The Cook Islands (CIs) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encompasses 1,977,000 km2 and includes the Penrhyn and Samoa basins abyssal plains where manganese nodules flourish due to the availability of prolific nucleus material, slow sedimentation rates, and strong bottom currents. A group of CIs nodules was analyzed for mineralogical and chemical composition, which include many critical...
Authors
James R. Hein, Francesca Spinardi, Nobuyuki Okamoto, Kira Mizell, Darryl Thorburn, Akuila Tawake
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Ocean minerals Ocean minerals

Nearly 71 percent of the Earth is covered by ocean, yet during the entire history of societies, the mineral resources essential for nation building have been acquired solely from the continents. Deep-ocean minerals were discovered over a century ago during the Challenger expedition of 1873—1876, but only relatively recently did programs develop to determine their origin, distribution...
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira L. Mizell
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Layered hydrothermal barite-sulfide mound field, East Diamante Caldera, Mariana volcanic arc Layered hydrothermal barite-sulfide mound field, East Diamante Caldera, Mariana volcanic arc

East Diamante is a submarine volcano in the southern Mariana arc that is host to a complex caldera ~5 × 10 km (elongated ENE-WSW) that is breached along its northern and southwestern sectors. A large field of barite-sulfide mounds was discovered in June 2009 and revisited in July 2010 with the R/V Natsushima, using the ROV Hyper-Dolphin. The mound field occurs on the northeast flank of a...
Authors
James R. Hein, Cornel E. J. de Ronde, Randolph A. Koski, Robert G. Ditchburn, Kira Mizell, Yoshihiko Tamura, Robert J. Stern, Tracey Conrad, Osamu Ishizuka, Matthew I. Leybourne
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Energy and minerals science at the U.S. Geological Survey Energy and minerals science at the U.S. Geological Survey

The economy, national security, and standard of living of the United States depend on adequate and reliable supplies of energy and mineral resources. Based on population and consumption trends, the Nation’s and World’s use of energy and minerals is expected to grow, driving the demand for scientific understanding of resource formation, location, and availability. The importance of...
Authors
Richard C. Ferrero, Jonathan J. Kolak, Donald J. Bills, Zachary H. Bowen, Daniel J. Cordier, Tanya J. Gallegos, James R. Hein, Karen D. Kelley, Philip H. Nelson, Vito F. Nuccio, Jeanine M. Schmidt, Robert R. Seal
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program

Deep-ocean ferromanganese crusts and nodules Deep-ocean ferromanganese crusts and nodules

Ferromanganese crusts and nodules may provide a future resource for a large variety of metals, including many that are essential for emerging high- and green-technology applications. A brief review of nodules and crusts provides a setting for a discussion on the latest (past 10 years) research related to the geochemistry of sequestration of metals from seawater. Special attention is...
Authors
James R. Hein, Andrea Koschinsky
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

A Sr-Nd isotopic study of sand-sized sediment provenance and transport for the San Francisco Bay coastal system A Sr-Nd isotopic study of sand-sized sediment provenance and transport for the San Francisco Bay coastal system

A diverse suite of geochemical tracers, including 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotope ratios, the rare earth elements (REEs), and select trace elements were used to determine sand-sized sediment provenance and transport pathways within the San Francisco Bay coastal system. This study complements a large interdisciplinary effort (Barnard et al., 2012) that seeks to better understand recent...
Authors
Robert J. Rosenbauer, Amy C. Foxgrover, James R. Hein, Peter W. Swarzenski
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Sand sources and transport pathways for the San Francisco Bay coastal system, based on X-ray diffraction mineralogy Sand sources and transport pathways for the San Francisco Bay coastal system, based on X-ray diffraction mineralogy

The mineralogical compositions of 119 samples collected from throughout the San Francisco Bay coastal system, including bayfloor and seafloor, area beaches, cliff outcrops, and major drainages, were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Comparison of the mineral concentrations and application of statistical cluster analysis of XRD spectra allowed for the determination of provenances...
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Patrick L. Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary

Integration of bed characteristics, geochemical tracers, current measurements, and numerical modeling for assessing the provenance of beach sand in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System Integration of bed characteristics, geochemical tracers, current measurements, and numerical modeling for assessing the provenance of beach sand in the San Francisco Bay Coastal System

Over 150 million m3 of sand-sized sediment has disappeared from the central region of the San Francisco Bay Coastal System during the last half century. This enormous loss may reflect numerous anthropogenic influences, such as watershed damming, bay-fill development, aggregate mining, and dredging. The reduction in Bay sediment also appears to be linked to a reduction in sediment supply...
Authors
Patrick L. Barnard, Amy C. Foxgrover, Edwin P.L. Elias, Li H. Erikson, James R. Hein, Mary McGann, Kira Mizell, Robert J. Rosenbauer, Peter W. Swarzenski, Renee K. Takesue, Florence L. Wong, Don Woodrow
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: Comparison with land-based deposits Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: Comparison with land-based deposits

No abstract available.
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Andrea Koschinsky, Tracey Conrad
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Was this page helpful?