Evaluation of Developing GIS Model for Selection of Suitable Sites for Manganese Nodule Development in the Northeastern Pacific

Abstract

Manganese nodules are found on the seabed in many areas and have been comparatively well studied for their distribution because of their potential economic importance. These nodules are abundant in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (C-C zone), and the C-C zone has been the focus of much international attention. The study area is located in the southern central part of the C-C zone, about 2,500 km from the East Pacific Rise (EPR). It consists of three blocks, A2, B2, and C1 between 9°N - 12°N and 128°W - 136°W (Fig. 1). The objectives of this study are to suggest priority manganese nodule development sites by quantifying the rating values for development potential using probability and statistical methods, and to verify the selection results using three statistical approaches. The probability and statistical methods were applied for the first time for the selection of suitable nodule mining sites.