What is Polymetallic Nodules (PMN):
PMN has even termed manganese nodules which are potato-shaped and found in abundance at the sea beds. They are largely porous nodules containing elements like iron, manganese, nickel, cobalt, lead, iron, vanadium, cadmium, etc. Here are a few points describing PMN:
- These are Fe-Mn oxide deposits at sea and ocean beds.
- They mainly range from 2 cm to 10 cm in diameter.
- Their appearance sign is its blacky earthy colour.
- These nodules are considered to be a great source of precious minerals like silver, gold, and so on.
- PMN is considered to be the precipitate of hot magma fluids from inside the sea bed crust.
- They are discharged through a few mineralized passages.
Deep Ocean Mission
We, humans, are highly inquisitive beings. Our journey to exploring this planet has no end. We have made immense progress in exploring space, but the world underwater remained untouched for long. It was only recently that a mission was launched to explore the world underneath, and efforts are being made to support the blue economy initiatives of the GOI. Deep Ocean Mission is an ambitious mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.