On the Occurrence of Sulphur in Marine Muds and Nodules, and its bearing on their Mode of Formation

Abstract

In the first section of the cruise of the “Challenger,” that from Tenerife to Sombrero, the existence was established of deep-sea muds, perfectly free from carbonate of lime, consisting mainly of silicates mixed with ochreous material, principally hydrated oxides of iron and manganese, and of local concentrations of these materials in the form of nodules and of coatings or incrustations on dead calcareous matter. The qualitative composition of these concentrations was carefully determined, and it was particularly noted that whether in the form of nodules or of incrustations they were aggregations of the general materials of the bottom, and not concretions or coatings of pure hydrous oxides.