Publication

On the Metal Contents of Ocean Floor Nodules, Crusts and Massive Sulphides and a Preliminary Assessment of the Extractable Amounts

2019
Book Chapters

Abstract

The metal contents of ocean floor nodules, crusts and massive sulphides was estimated and an assessment of their commercial extractability were conducted. The metals considered were iron, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, platinum, gold and silver. We found that significant metal amounts are located mainly in 5 regions of the world’s oceans. Most of the tonnage of the studied metals are located at great depth, involving huge technological challenges. Only a smaller fraction (5-25%) of the detected amounts can be considered to be extractable under the most favourable of conditions. We found that the land-based metal resources appear to be more readily available for extraction. Despite huge optimism in the field, no profitable commercial operation has yet been started. It seems that based on an ore grade to metal price evaluation, that only cobalt or silver would perhaps be interesting on a commercial level.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/3eb4db3f-45f0-48f5-97aa-06ef09a37f8c

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2019
Book Chapters

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/3eb4db3f-45f0-48f5-97aa-06ef09a37f8c

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Metal

A metal (from Ancient Greek μέταλλον métallon 'mine, quarry, metal') is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typically ductile (can be drawn into wires) and malleable (they can be hammered into thin sheets). These properties are the result of the metallic bond between the atoms or molecules of the metal. A metal may be a chemical element such as iron; an alloy such as stainless steel; or a molecular compound such as polymeric sulfur nitride.

Alkali metal

The alkali metals consist of the chemical elements lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). Together with hydrogen they constitute group 1, which lies in the s-block of the periodic table. All alkali metals have their outermost electron in an s-orbital: this shared electron configuration results in their having very similar characteristic properties. Indeed, the alkali metals provide the best example of group trends in properties in the periodic table, with elements exhibiting well-characterised homologous behaviour.

Heavy metals

Heavy metals are generally defined as metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or atomic numbers. The criteria used, and whether metalloids are included, vary depending on the author and context. In metallurgy, for example, a heavy metal may be defined on the basis of density, whereas in physics the distinguishing criterion might be atomic number, while a chemist would likely be more concerned with chemical behaviour. More specific definitions have been published, none of which have been widely accepted.