Genesis of REY-rich mud: A new perspective based on independent component analysis

DOI Web Site
  • Yasukawa Kazutaka
    Department of Systems Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology
  • Nakamura Kentaro
    Department of Systems Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
  • Fujinaga Koichiro
    Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
  • Iwamori Hikaru
    Department of Solid Earth Geochemistry, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology
  • Kato Yasuhiro
    Department of Systems Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • レアアース泥の起源：独立成分分析による数理統計的アプローチを中心に
  • レアアース デイ ノ キゲン : ドクリツ セイブン ブンセキ ニ ヨル スウリ トウケイテキ アプローチ オ チュウシン ニ

Search this article

Abstract

<p>Since the discovery of rare-earth elements and yttrium (REY)-rich mud in the Pacific Ocean, a variety of research has been conducted to understand its spatial distribution and genesis. In this paper, we review the latest research outcomes on REY-rich mud, including the discovery of “extremely REY-rich mud” containing >5,000 ppm of total REY, a promising deep-sea mineral resource in Japan’s exclusive economic zone surrounding Minamitorishima Island. Then, we introduce a new statistical approach based on independent component analysis (ICA) to clarify the origin of REY-rich mud in the Pacific and Indian oceans, with a theoretical background and a protocol of ICA application on geochemical data. Independent components extracted from a multi-elemental dataset of ～4,000 samples demonstrate distinctive geochemical features, and their spatiotemporal distributions indicate that the sedimentation rate is an underlying key factor for REY-enrichment. We also refer to an important link between the genesis of REY-rich mud and Earth system dynamics. Finally, we focus on some challenges to be overcome. One of the most significant questions concerns the formation mechanism of the extremely REY-rich mud. An important key to this question is the depositional age of the extraordinary sediment layer.</p>

Journal

  • Chikyukagaku

    Chikyukagaku 52 (4), 171-210, 2018-12-25

    The Geochemical Society of Japan

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top