Incorporation of Transition and Platinum Group Elements (PGE) in Co-rich Mn Crusts at Afanasiy-Nikitin Seamount (AFS) in the Equatorial S Indian Ocean

Of the 12 elements enriched in Co-rich Mn crusts from the Afanasiy-Nikitin Seamount in the Equatorial S Indian Ocean, Mn, Fe and Co are enriched by a factor of similar to 109 compared to their concentrations in seawater whereas Ni and Cu are enriched by a factor of similar to 107 and the PGE and Au by a factor of similar to 105 to 107 compared to their concentrations in seawater. The relatively high concentration of Pt in the crusts reflects its occurrence as fine-grained particles in the crusts rather than adsorption of the elements from seawater.