James Hein
zation
Geologist Emeritus with the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Science and Products
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Filter Total Items: 168
Thallium isotope evidence for a permanent increase in marine organic carbon export in the early Eocene Thallium isotope evidence for a permanent increase in marine organic carbon export in the early Eocene
The first high resolution thallium (Tl) isotope records in two ferromanganese crusts (Fe-Mn crusts), CD29 and D11 from the Pacific Ocean are presented. The crusts record pronounced but systematic changes in 205Tl/203Tl that are unlikely to reflect diagenetic overprinting or changes in isotope fractionation between seawater and Fe-Mn crusts. It appears more likely that the Fe-Mn crusts...
Authors
S.G. Nielsen, S. Mar-Gerrison, A. Gannoun, D. LaRowe, V. Klemm, A. N. Halliday, K.W. Burton, J.R. Hein
Geophysical investigation of seamounts near the Ogasawara fracture zone, western Pacific Geophysical investigation of seamounts near the Ogasawara fracture zone, western Pacific
This paper provides an analysis of multi-channel seismic data obtained during 2000-2001 on seamounts near the Ogasawara Fracture Zone (OFZ) northwest of the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific. The OFZ is unique in that it is a wide rift zone that includes many seamounts. Seven units are delineated on the basis of acoustic characteristics and depth: three units (I, II, and III) on...
Authors
T.-G. Lee, Kenneth Lee, J.R. Hein, J.-W. Moon
Coral reef evolution on rapidly subsiding margins Coral reef evolution on rapidly subsiding margins
A series of well-developed submerged coral reefs are preserved in the Huon Gulf (Papua New Guinea) and around Hawaii. Despite different tectonics settings, both regions have experienced rapid subsidence (2-6??m/ka) over the last 500??ka. Rapid subsidence, combined with eustatic sea-level changes, is responsible for repeated drowning and backstepping of coral reefs over this period...
Authors
J.M. Webster, J.C. Braga, D.A. Clague, C. Gallup, J.R. Hein, D.C. Potts, W. Renema, R. Riding, K. Riker-Coleman, E. Silver, L.M. Wallace
New constraints on the Pb and Nd isotopic evolution of NE Atlantic water masses New constraints on the Pb and Nd isotopic evolution of NE Atlantic water masses
Time series of lead (Pb) and neodymium (Nd) isotope compositions were measured on three ferromanganese crusts recording the evolution of NE Atlantic water masses over the past 15 Ma. The crusts are distributed along a depth profile (∼700–4600 m) comprising the present-day depths of Mediterranean Outflow Water and North East Atlantic Deep Water. A pronounced increase of the 206Pb/204Pb in...
Authors
S. B. Muinos, M. Frank, C. Maden, J.R. Hein, T. van de Flierdt, S. M. Lebreiro, L. Gaspar, J. H. Monteiro, A. N. Halliday
Seawater osmium isotope evidence for a middle Miocene flood basalt event in ferromanganese crust records Seawater osmium isotope evidence for a middle Miocene flood basalt event in ferromanganese crust records
Three ferromanganese crusts from the northeast, northwest and central Atlantic were re-dated using osmium (Os) isotope stratigraphy and yield ages from middle Miocene to the present. The three Os isotope records do not show evidence for growth hiatuses. The reconstructed Os isotope-based growth rates for the sections older than 10??Ma are higher than those determined previously by the...
Authors
V. Klemm, M. Frank, S. Levasseur, A. N. Halliday, J.R. Hein
Deep-sea mining: Integrating geology, oceanography, and engineering Deep-sea mining: Integrating geology, oceanography, and engineering
[No abstract available]
Authors
F.M. Meyer, P.E. Halbach, P.N. Martens, J.R. Hein, S. Scott
Metalliferous sediment and a silica-hematite deposit within the Blanco fracture zone, Northeast Pacific Metalliferous sediment and a silica-hematite deposit within the Blanco fracture zone, Northeast Pacific
A Tiburon ROV dive within the East Blanco Depression (EBD) increased the mapped extent of a known hydrothermal field by an order of magnitude. In addition, a unique opal-CT (cristobalite-tridymite)-hematite mound was discovered, and mineralized sediments and rock were collected and analyzed. Silica-hematite mounds have not previously been found on the deep ocean floor. The light-weight...
Authors
J.R. Hein, D.A. Clague, R.A. Koski, R.W. Embley, R.E. Dunham
Diffuse flow hydrothermal manganese mineralization along the active Mariana and southern Izu-Bonin arc system, western Pacific Diffuse flow hydrothermal manganese mineralization along the active Mariana and southern Izu-Bonin arc system, western Pacific
Abundant ferromanganese oxides were collected along 1200 km of the active Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc system. Chemical compositions and mineralogy show that samples were collected from two deposit types: Fe-Mn crusts of mixed hydrogenetic/hydrothermal origin and hydrothermal Mn oxide deposits; this paper addresses only the second type. Mn oxides cement volcaniclastic and biogenic sandstone and...
Authors
J.R. Hein, M. S. Schulz, R.E. Dunham, R. J. Stern, S.H. Bloomer
Platinum group elements and gold in ferromanganese crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount, equatorial Indian Ocean: Sources and fractionation Platinum group elements and gold in ferromanganese crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount, equatorial Indian Ocean: Sources and fractionation
The major element relationships in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount (ANS), eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, appear to be atypical. High positive correlations (r = 0.99) between Mn/Co and Fe/Co ratios, and lack of correlation of those ratios with Co, Ce, and Ce/Co, indicate that the ANS Fe-Mn crusts are distinct from Pacific seamount Fe-Mn crusts, and reflect...
Authors
V.K. Banakar, J.R. Hein, R.P. Rajani, A.R. Chodankar
Lithium contents and isotopic compositions of ferromanganese deposits from the global ocean Lithium contents and isotopic compositions of ferromanganese deposits from the global ocean
To test the feasibility of using lithium isotopes in marine ferromanganese deposits as an indicator of paleoceanographic conditions and seawater composition, we analyzed samples from a variety of tectonic environments in the global ocean. Hydrogenetic, hydrothermal, mixed hydrogenetic–hydrothermal, and hydrogenetic–diagenetic samples were subjected to a two-step leaching and dissolution...
Authors
L.-H. Chan, J.R. Hein
Barite-forming environments along a rifted continental margin, Southern California Borderland Barite-forming environments along a rifted continental margin, Southern California Borderland
The Southern California Continental Borderland (SCCB) is part of the broad San Andreas transform-fault plate boundary that consists of a series of fault-bounded, petroleum-generating basins. The SCCB has high heat flow and geothermal gradients produced by thinned continental crust and Neogene volcanism. Barite deposits in the SCCB occur along faults. Barite samples from two sea-cliff...
Authors
James R. Hein, Robert A. Zierenberg, J. Barry Maynard, Mark D. Hannington
Quantitative x-ray diffraction mineralogy of Los Angeles basin core samples Quantitative x-ray diffraction mineralogy of Los Angeles basin core samples
This report contains X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of mineralogy for 81 sediment samples from cores taken from three drill holes in the Los Angeles Basin in 2000-2001. We analyzed 26 samples from Pier F core, 29 from Pier C core, and 26 from the Webster core. These three sites provide an offshore-onshore record across the Southern California coastal zone. This report is designed to be...
Authors
James R. Hein, Brandie R. McIntyre, Brian D. Edwards, Orion I. Lakota
Science and Products
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Filter Total Items: 168
Thallium isotope evidence for a permanent increase in marine organic carbon export in the early Eocene Thallium isotope evidence for a permanent increase in marine organic carbon export in the early Eocene
The first high resolution thallium (Tl) isotope records in two ferromanganese crusts (Fe-Mn crusts), CD29 and D11 from the Pacific Ocean are presented. The crusts record pronounced but systematic changes in 205Tl/203Tl that are unlikely to reflect diagenetic overprinting or changes in isotope fractionation between seawater and Fe-Mn crusts. It appears more likely that the Fe-Mn crusts...
Authors
S.G. Nielsen, S. Mar-Gerrison, A. Gannoun, D. LaRowe, V. Klemm, A. N. Halliday, K.W. Burton, J.R. Hein
Geophysical investigation of seamounts near the Ogasawara fracture zone, western Pacific Geophysical investigation of seamounts near the Ogasawara fracture zone, western Pacific
This paper provides an analysis of multi-channel seismic data obtained during 2000-2001 on seamounts near the Ogasawara Fracture Zone (OFZ) northwest of the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific. The OFZ is unique in that it is a wide rift zone that includes many seamounts. Seven units are delineated on the basis of acoustic characteristics and depth: three units (I, II, and III) on...
Authors
T.-G. Lee, Kenneth Lee, J.R. Hein, J.-W. Moon
Coral reef evolution on rapidly subsiding margins Coral reef evolution on rapidly subsiding margins
A series of well-developed submerged coral reefs are preserved in the Huon Gulf (Papua New Guinea) and around Hawaii. Despite different tectonics settings, both regions have experienced rapid subsidence (2-6??m/ka) over the last 500??ka. Rapid subsidence, combined with eustatic sea-level changes, is responsible for repeated drowning and backstepping of coral reefs over this period...
Authors
J.M. Webster, J.C. Braga, D.A. Clague, C. Gallup, J.R. Hein, D.C. Potts, W. Renema, R. Riding, K. Riker-Coleman, E. Silver, L.M. Wallace
New constraints on the Pb and Nd isotopic evolution of NE Atlantic water masses New constraints on the Pb and Nd isotopic evolution of NE Atlantic water masses
Time series of lead (Pb) and neodymium (Nd) isotope compositions were measured on three ferromanganese crusts recording the evolution of NE Atlantic water masses over the past 15 Ma. The crusts are distributed along a depth profile (∼700–4600 m) comprising the present-day depths of Mediterranean Outflow Water and North East Atlantic Deep Water. A pronounced increase of the 206Pb/204Pb in...
Authors
S. B. Muinos, M. Frank, C. Maden, J.R. Hein, T. van de Flierdt, S. M. Lebreiro, L. Gaspar, J. H. Monteiro, A. N. Halliday
Seawater osmium isotope evidence for a middle Miocene flood basalt event in ferromanganese crust records Seawater osmium isotope evidence for a middle Miocene flood basalt event in ferromanganese crust records
Three ferromanganese crusts from the northeast, northwest and central Atlantic were re-dated using osmium (Os) isotope stratigraphy and yield ages from middle Miocene to the present. The three Os isotope records do not show evidence for growth hiatuses. The reconstructed Os isotope-based growth rates for the sections older than 10??Ma are higher than those determined previously by the...
Authors
V. Klemm, M. Frank, S. Levasseur, A. N. Halliday, J.R. Hein
Deep-sea mining: Integrating geology, oceanography, and engineering Deep-sea mining: Integrating geology, oceanography, and engineering
[No abstract available]
Authors
F.M. Meyer, P.E. Halbach, P.N. Martens, J.R. Hein, S. Scott
Metalliferous sediment and a silica-hematite deposit within the Blanco fracture zone, Northeast Pacific Metalliferous sediment and a silica-hematite deposit within the Blanco fracture zone, Northeast Pacific
A Tiburon ROV dive within the East Blanco Depression (EBD) increased the mapped extent of a known hydrothermal field by an order of magnitude. In addition, a unique opal-CT (cristobalite-tridymite)-hematite mound was discovered, and mineralized sediments and rock were collected and analyzed. Silica-hematite mounds have not previously been found on the deep ocean floor. The light-weight...
Authors
J.R. Hein, D.A. Clague, R.A. Koski, R.W. Embley, R.E. Dunham
Diffuse flow hydrothermal manganese mineralization along the active Mariana and southern Izu-Bonin arc system, western Pacific Diffuse flow hydrothermal manganese mineralization along the active Mariana and southern Izu-Bonin arc system, western Pacific
Abundant ferromanganese oxides were collected along 1200 km of the active Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc system. Chemical compositions and mineralogy show that samples were collected from two deposit types: Fe-Mn crusts of mixed hydrogenetic/hydrothermal origin and hydrothermal Mn oxide deposits; this paper addresses only the second type. Mn oxides cement volcaniclastic and biogenic sandstone and...
Authors
J.R. Hein, M. S. Schulz, R.E. Dunham, R. J. Stern, S.H. Bloomer
Platinum group elements and gold in ferromanganese crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount, equatorial Indian Ocean: Sources and fractionation Platinum group elements and gold in ferromanganese crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount, equatorial Indian Ocean: Sources and fractionation
The major element relationships in ferromanganese (Fe-Mn) crusts from Afanasiy-Nikitin seamount (ANS), eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, appear to be atypical. High positive correlations (r = 0.99) between Mn/Co and Fe/Co ratios, and lack of correlation of those ratios with Co, Ce, and Ce/Co, indicate that the ANS Fe-Mn crusts are distinct from Pacific seamount Fe-Mn crusts, and reflect...
Authors
V.K. Banakar, J.R. Hein, R.P. Rajani, A.R. Chodankar
Lithium contents and isotopic compositions of ferromanganese deposits from the global ocean Lithium contents and isotopic compositions of ferromanganese deposits from the global ocean
To test the feasibility of using lithium isotopes in marine ferromanganese deposits as an indicator of paleoceanographic conditions and seawater composition, we analyzed samples from a variety of tectonic environments in the global ocean. Hydrogenetic, hydrothermal, mixed hydrogenetic–hydrothermal, and hydrogenetic–diagenetic samples were subjected to a two-step leaching and dissolution...
Authors
L.-H. Chan, J.R. Hein
Barite-forming environments along a rifted continental margin, Southern California Borderland Barite-forming environments along a rifted continental margin, Southern California Borderland
The Southern California Continental Borderland (SCCB) is part of the broad San Andreas transform-fault plate boundary that consists of a series of fault-bounded, petroleum-generating basins. The SCCB has high heat flow and geothermal gradients produced by thinned continental crust and Neogene volcanism. Barite deposits in the SCCB occur along faults. Barite samples from two sea-cliff...
Authors
James R. Hein, Robert A. Zierenberg, J. Barry Maynard, Mark D. Hannington
Quantitative x-ray diffraction mineralogy of Los Angeles basin core samples Quantitative x-ray diffraction mineralogy of Los Angeles basin core samples
This report contains X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of mineralogy for 81 sediment samples from cores taken from three drill holes in the Los Angeles Basin in 2000-2001. We analyzed 26 samples from Pier F core, 29 from Pier C core, and 26 from the Webster core. These three sites provide an offshore-onshore record across the Southern California coastal zone. This report is designed to be...
Authors
James R. Hein, Brandie R. McIntyre, Brian D. Edwards, Orion I. Lakota