Sedimentary characteristics and the implications of cobalt-rich crusts resources at Caiwei Guyot in the Western Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Cobalt-rich crust has attracted increased attention due to their economic value. Studies have indicated that seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean are rich in cobalt-rich crust resources. The Caiwei Guyot in Western Pacific Ocean is one of the cobalt-rich crust exploration areas contracted between China and the International Seabed Authority. A large volume of research has been conducted to elucidate the tectonic evolution, basement type, sediment type, gravity and magnetic anomaly characteristics, and geochemical characteristics of shallow surface sediments at Caiwei Guyot. However, a research gap exists on the sedimentary strata below the pelagic deposits and above the volcanic basement of the Caiwei Guyot. This paper summarizes that two main types of sediments existing on the top of Caiwei Guyot. The deposition thickness on the top of Caiwei Guyot is characterized by three sedimentary centers and exposed periphery. Pelagic sediments are difficult to form at the northeastern portion and edge area of Caiwei Guyot due to the strong bottom current environment, which makes these areas suitable for crust growth. This paper delineated three cobalt-rich crust prospective areas at the Caiwei Guyot with of significant implications for exploration and mining-lease-block selections at Caiwei Guyot.

Keywords:

• Western Pacific Ocean
• Caiwei Guyot
• sub-bottom profiles
• sedimentary characteristics
• cobalt-rich crusts

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr. Wenchao Lü for his advice on this study. Thanks for the help of all the expedition members of “Hai Yang Liu Hao” of Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey. Thanks Yinan Deng for his contributions to the revision manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Thanks for the financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41606071 and No. 41803026), MNR Key Laboratory of Marine Mineral Resources (No. KLMMR-2018-A-09), and China Ocean “13th Five-Years Plan” Project (No. DY135-C1-1-03, No. DY135-C1-1-05, and No. DY135-S1-1-04).