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...

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

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June 15, 2022

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

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December 19, 2024

Geochemistry of ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and coated cobbles from seamounts in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Ferromanganese crusts, nodules, and coated cobbles were collected via ROV from seamounts off the coast of Hawaii and within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) in the Pacific Ocean during E/V Nautilus expeditions NA134 and NA138 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Ferromanganese rock samples were sent to USGS for subsampling, major and trace element geochemical analyses...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

October 4, 2024

Particulate physicochemical data at a fish hatchery in Puyallup, Washington, September 2023

Particulate samples were collected from a fish hatchery in Puyallup, Washington, September 18 – 20, 2023 during late summer, low-flow conditions in the intake creek. Settled solids were collected from a retention pond and from the incubation room trough. The trough solids likely had been deposited during storm events the previous winter. A third sample was collected in the incubation...

Washington Water Science Center

October 2, 2024

Water normalized geochemistry data for marine ferromanganese crusts and phosphorite minerals in the Southern California Borderland

Ferromanganese crust and phosphorite minerals were collected using remotely operated vehicles in the Southern California Borderland during two separate research cruises – NOAA Ocean Exploration Trust cruise NA124 onboard the E/V Nautilus in 2020, and Schmidt Ocean Institute cruise FK210726 onboard the R/V Falkor in 2021. Ferromanganese crust and phosphorite samples were described and...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

September 25, 2024

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...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

July 2, 2024

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...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

January 29, 2024

Prospective regions for marine minerals on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf

This shapefile is of prospective regional outlines of where marine minerals may occur on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Polygons were hand digitized based on a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data review that considers the state of knowledge regarding marine mineral occurrences within the Alaska OCS. This data release is a companion to the USGS Professional Paper, Gartman and...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

February 2, 2023

Major and trace element geochemistry and mineralogy of ferromanganese crusts from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone

Ferromanganese crusts were collected via dredge from seamounts within the Tuvalu Exclusive Economic Zone in the Pacific Ocean during cruise RR1310 funded by the National Science Foundation aboard the R/V Roger Revelle in 2013. USGS scientists requested these ferromanganese crust samples from the Oregon State University Marine and Geology Repository where they had been archived...

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

January 25, 2023

Marine mineral geochemical data - Part One: Pacific Ocean USGS-affiliated historical data

This data release compiles element composition data for more than 600 deep-ocean mineral samples from more than 25 research cruises in the Pacific Ocean since 1979 that involved USGS researchers. Deep-ocean mineral sample types encompassed in this data release include ferromanganese crusts, manganese nodules, phosphorites, and hydrothermal minerals. This data release is comprised of both...

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

June 4, 2021

Mineralogy, rare earth elements, and strontium isotopic composition of phosphorites and phosphatized rocks from the Rio Grande Rise, south Atlantic Ocean

Phosphorites and phosphatized rocks from the summit of the Rio Grande Rise were collected via dredge during the oceanographic research cruise RGR1 to the western RGR. The location (latitude, longitude, depth), mineralogy, concentrations of phosphorus and rare earth elements, and 87Sr/86Sr ratios of phosphorites and phosphatized FeMn crusts, ironstones and carbonates from 10 dredge sites...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

December 30, 2019

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...

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

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Background of coral reef beneath waves. Overlaid with photo of a smiling white woman with shoulder-length hair.

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer

April 11, 2022

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer

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Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer

Research Oceanographer Kira Mizell studies change in ocean chemistry by collecting marine minerals, looking for insights into past climate conditions and geologic history.

Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Communications and Publishing

April 11, 2022

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer

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Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer

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Research Oceanographer Kira Mizell studies change in ocean chemistry by collecting marine minerals, looking for insights into past climate conditions and geologic history.

Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Communications and Publishing

Background of coral reefs beneath waves. Overlaid with photo of smiling white woman with shoulder-length hair.

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer (AD)

April 11, 2022

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer (AD)

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Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer (AD)

Research Oceanographer Kira Mizell studies changes in ocean chemistry by collecting marine minerals, looking for insights into past climate conditions and geologic history.

Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Communications and Publishing

April 11, 2022

Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer (AD)

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Climate Science Champions, Season 2: Kira Mizell, Research Oceanographer (AD)

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Research Oceanographer Kira Mizell studies changes in ocean chemistry by collecting marine minerals, looking for insights into past climate conditions and geologic history.

Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Communications and Publishing

NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

July 13, 2021

NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

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NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

July 13, 2021

NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

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NOAA-USGS Stepping Stones 2021 Expedition

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Join USGS researchers Jason Chaytor and Kira Mizell as they virtually participate in a NOAA Ocean Exploration expedition to the depths of the North Atlantic.

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

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November 6, 2024

Neogene hydrothermal Fe- and Mn-oxide mineralization of Paleozoic continental rocks, Amerasia Basin, Arctic Ocean

Rocks dredged from water depths of 1,605, 2,500, 3,300, and 3,400 m in the Arctic Ocean included Paleozoic continental rocks pervasively mineralized during the Neogene by hydrothermal Fe and Mn oxides. Samples were recovered in three dredge hauls from the Chukchi Borderland and one from Mendeleev Ridge north of Alaska and eastern Siberia, respectively. Many of the rocks were so...

Authors

James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Amy Gartman

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

October 31, 2024

Deep-ocean macrofaunal assemblages on ferromanganese and phosphorite-rich substrates in the Southern California Borderland

Mineral-rich hardgrounds, such as ferromanganese (FeMn) crusts and phosphorites, occur on seamounts and continental margins, gaining attention for their resource potential due to their enrichment in valuable metals in some regions. This study focuses on the Southern California Borderland (SCB), an area characterized by uneven and heterogeneous topography featuring FeMn crusts...

Authors

Michelle Guraieb, Guillermo F. Mendoza, Kira Mizell, Gregory W. Rouse, R.A. McCarthy, Olivia S. Pereira, Lisa A. Levin

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

July 3, 2024

Invertebrate trophic structure on marine ferromanganese and phosphorite hardgrounds

The Southern California Borderland hosts a variety of geologic and oceanographic features that allow for diverse habitats to occur in a restricted region with a strong oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) and hard substrates. These include ferromanganese (FeMn) crusts and phosphorites targeted for deep-seabed mining in other regions. Baseline studies regarding hardground macro- (> 0.3 mm) and...

Authors

Olivia S. Pereira, Devin Vlach, Angelica Bradley, Jennifer Gonzalez, Kira Mizell, Lisa A. Levin

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

June 27, 2024

Metal release from manganese nodules in anoxic seawater and implications for deep-sea mining dewatering operations

The potential mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules has been gaining increasing attention due to their enrichment in metals essential for a low-carbon future. To date, there have been few scientific studies concerning the geochemical consequences of dewatered mining waste discharge into the pelagic water column, which can inform best practices in future mining operations. Here, we...

Authors

Yang Xiang, Janelle M. Steffen, Phoebe J. Lam, Amy Gartman, Kira Mizell, Jessica N. Fitzsimmons

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

July 14, 2022

Marine minerals in Alaska — A review of coastal and deep-ocean regions

Minerals occurring in marine environments span the globe and encompass a broad range of mineral categories, forming within varied geologic and oceanographic settings. They occur in coastal regions, either from the continuation or mechanical reworking of terrestrial mineralization, as well as in the deep ocean, from diagenetic, hydrogenetic, and hydrothermal processes. The oceans cover...

Authors

Amy Gartman, Kira Mizell, Douglas C. Kreiner

Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Alaska Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory

April 28, 2022

Crystal chemistry of thallium in marine ferromanganese deposits

Our understanding of the up to 7 orders of magnitude partitioning of thallium (Tl) between seawater and ferromanganese (FeMn) deposits rests upon two foundations: (1) being able to quantify the Tl(I)/Tl(III) ratio that reflects the extent of the oxidative scavenging of Tl by vernadite (δ-MnO2), the principle manganate mineral in oxic and suboxic environments, and (2) being able to...

Authors

Alain Manceau, Alexandre Simionovici, Nathaniel Findling, Pieter Glatzel, Blanka Detlefs, Anna V Wegorzewski, Kira Mizell, James R. Hein, Andrea Koschinsky

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

April 21, 2022

Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the global ocean: New sources for critical metals

The transition from a global hydrocarbon economy to a green energy economy and the rapidly growing middle class in developing countries are driving the need for considerable new sources of critical materials. Deep-ocean minerals, namely cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic nodules, are two such new resources generating interest.Polymetallic nodules are essentially two...

Authors

James R. Hein, Kira Mizell

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

January 1, 2022

Estimates of metals contained in abyssal manganese nodules and ferromanganese crusts in the global ocean based on regional variations and genetic types of nodules

Deep-ocean ferromanganese crusts and manganese nodules are important marine repositories for global metals. Interest in these minerals as potential resources has led to detailed sampling in many regions of the global ocean, allowing for updated estimates of their global extent. Here, we present global estimates of total tonnage as well as contained metal concentrations and tonnages for...

Authors

Kira Mizell, James R. Hein, Manda Viola Au, Amy Gartman

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Marine Minerals Laboratory, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

December 25, 2021

Geochemical insights into formation of enigmatic ironstones from Rio Grande rise, South Atlantic Ocean

Rio Grande Rise (RGR) is an intraplate oceanic elevation in the South Atlantic Ocean that formed at a hotspot on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the Cretaceous. In spreading center and hotspot environments, ironstones form mainly by biomineralization of reduced Fe from hydrothermal fluids or oxidation of sulfide deposits. However, RGR has been considered aseismic and volcanically inactive...

Authors

Mariana Benites, James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Kenneth A. Farley, Jonathon Treffkorn, Luigi Jovane

Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

August 11, 2021

Miocene phosphatization of rocks from the summit of Rio Grande Rise, Southwest Atlantic Ocean

Marine phosphorites are an important part of the oceanic phosphorus cycle and are related to the effects of long-term global climate changes. We use petrography, mineralogy, rare earth elements contents, and 87Sr/86Sr-determined carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) and calcite ages to investigate the paragenesis and history of phosphatization of carbonate sediments, limestones, ferromanganese...

Authors

Mariana Benites, James R. Hein, Kira Mizell, Luigi Jovane

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

December 2, 2020

Ocean floor manganese deposits

Much of the dissolved Mn delivered to the oceans is slowly oxidized and precipitated alongside varying amounts of Fe into Mn and ferromanganese (FeMn) mineral deposits that occur extensively in the deep ocean wherever sediment accumulation is low and substrate is available. FeMn crusts grow as pavements on rock outcrops throughout the global ocean whereas nodules form as individual FeMn...

Authors

Kira Mizell, James R. Hein

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

September 1, 2020

The effects of phosphatization on the mineral associations and speciation of Pb in ferromanganese crusts

The older layers of thick ferromanganese (FeMn) crusts from the central Pacific Ocean have undergone diagenetic phosphatization, during which carbonate fluorapatite (CFA) filled fractures and pore space and replaced carbonates. The effects of phosphatization on individual trace metal concentrations, speciation, and phase associations in FeMn crusts remain poorly understood yet may be...

Authors

Kira Mizell, James R. Hein, Andrea Koschinsky, Sarah Hayes

Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization

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Marine Mineral Formations in the Arctic Ocean Challenge Existing Geologic Theories

November 12, 2024

Marine Mineral Formations in the Arctic Ocean Challenge Existing Geologic Theories

A new study from USGS describes a previously unknown process of marine mineral formation in the Arctic Ocean, driven by frictional heating along...

Kira Mizell

Professional Experience

Education and Certifications

Science and Products

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

Marine Mineral Formations in the Arctic Ocean Challenge Existing Geologic Theories

Investigating Relationships Between Deep-Sea Invertebrate Communities and Marine Minerals to Inform Resource Considerations

Deep-Sea Mining and Potential Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: New Study Highlights Geochemical Implications

Exploring the Unknown in the Deep North Atlantic Ocean

Ferromanganese nodules on a deep-ocean seamount

2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition

FeMn crust composition on seamounts in the west-central Pacific Ocean

Dredging Up Clues to the Geologic History and Mineral Resources of the Rio Grande Rise, Southwest Atlantic Ocean

Collecting clues to the geologic history and mineral resources of the Rio Grande Rise, southwest Atlantic Ocean

James Hein Wins Prestigious Moore Medal Award from the International Marine Minerals Society

Science and Products

Global Seabed Mineral Resources

Marine Mineral Formations in the Arctic Ocean Challenge Existing Geologic Theories

Investigating Relationships Between Deep-Sea Invertebrate Communities and Marine Minerals to Inform Resource Considerations

Deep-Sea Mining and Potential Impacts on Marine Ecosystems: New Study Highlights Geochemical Implications

Exploring the Unknown in the Deep North Atlantic Ocean

Ferromanganese nodules on a deep-ocean seamount

2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones Expedition

FeMn crust composition on seamounts in the west-central Pacific Ocean

Dredging Up Clues to the Geologic History and Mineral Resources of the Rio Grande Rise, Southwest Atlantic Ocean

Collecting clues to the geologic history and mineral resources of the Rio Grande Rise, southwest Atlantic Ocean

James Hein Wins Prestigious Moore Medal Award from the International Marine Minerals Society