Metadata: Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Katlin Bowman Adamczyk Originator: Amy Gartman Originator: Jaycee Favela Publication_Date: 20260623 Title: Abundance of abyssal ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks from the Samoa Basin (2026-604-FA) Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: comma-delimited text Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: doi:10.5066/P149BW9Z Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, California Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P149BW9Z Larger_Work_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Katlin Bowman Adamczyk Originator: Amy Gartman Originator: Jaycee Favela Originator: Kira Mizell Originator: Isabelle M. Shapiro Originator: Kha C. Phan Publication_Date: 2026 Title: Abundance and geochemistry of abyssal ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks from the Samoa Basin (2026-604-FA) Series_Information: Series_Name: data release Issue_Identification: doi:10.5066/P149BW9Z Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Santa Cruz, CA Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey Other_Citation_Details: Suggested Citation: Adamczyk, K.B., Gartman, A., Favela, J., Mizell, K., Shapiro, I.M., and Phan, K.C., 2026, Abundance and geochemistry of abyssal ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks from the Samoa Basin (2026-604-FA): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P149BW9Z. Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P149BW9Z Description: Abstract: Ferromanganese nodules and other ferromanganese coated rocks were collected using a box core from the Samoa Basin, during USGS field activity 2026-604-FA. Ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks were collected by box core and total mass was determined using a digital crane scale calibrated with National Institute of Standards and Technology certified calibration weights. Purpose: These data serve to expand the knowledge and statistics for seabed mineral occurrences and composition within the global ocean. The expedition 2026-604-FA was the third leg of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's American Samoa Abyssal Mapping effort, OPR-T900-KR-26. The USGS effort was supported in part by Interagency Agreement M20PG00028 between the USGS and the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management. Supplemental_Information: Additional information about the field activities from which these data were derived is available online at: https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/fan_info.php?fan=2026-604-FA Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20260413 Ending_Date: 20260428 Currentness_Reference: ground condition at time data were collected Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -167.86053 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -165.61942 North_Bounding_Coordinate: -13.17100 South_Bounding_Coordinate: -17.03570 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: oceans Theme_Keyword: geoscientificInformation Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Data Categories for Marine Planning Theme_Keyword: Nonliving Resources Theme_Keyword: Material Resources Theme_Keyword: Mineral Resources Theme_Keyword: Physical/Chemical Features Theme_Keyword: Assessments Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: box coring Theme_Keyword: marine geology Theme_Keyword: rocks and deposits Theme_Keyword: mineral deposits Theme_Keyword: metallic mineral resources Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Marine Realms Information Bank (MRIB) keywords Theme_Keyword: seabed Theme_Keyword: sediment Theme_Keyword: mineral resources Theme_Keyword: field observation Theme_Keyword: box coring Theme_Keyword: marine geology Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: USGS Theme_Keyword: Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area Theme_Keyword: GEMMA Theme_Keyword: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Theme_Keyword: PCMSC Theme_Keyword: Global Ocean Mineral Resources Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier Theme_Keyword: USGS:6a1769d8b66b01122d755be6 Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Place_Keyword: South Pacific Ocean Place_Keyword: Territory of American Samoa Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: NGA GEOnet Names Server (GNS) Place_Keyword: Samoa Basin Access_Constraints: No access constraint Use_Constraints: USGS-authored or produced data and information are in the public domain from the U.S. Government and are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. These data are marked with a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal License. Please recognize and acknowledge the U.S. Geological Survey as the originator of the dataset and in products derived from these data. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Data_Set_Credit: The expedition 2026-604-FA was the third leg of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's American Samoa Abyssal Mapping effort, OPR-T900-KR-26. The USGS effort was supported in part by Interagency Agreement M20PG00028 between the USGS and the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management. Native_Data_Set_Environment: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft Excel 15 Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Calibration weights (0.200, 0.500, 1.000 kilograms) certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology were used to calibrate the digital crane scale on at least a weekly basis. Logical_Consistency_Report: No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted. Completeness_Report: Dataset is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: A Kongsberg Acoustic Positioning Operator Station (APOS) calibration was completed using the ship's GPS data and a fixed seabed transponder. The standard deviation of the transponder position was N1.26 meters and E1.34 meters. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: A Kongsberg Acoustic Positioning Operator Station (APOS) calibration was completed using the ship's GPS data and a fixed seabed transponder. The standard deviation of the transponder depth was 1.31 meters. Lineage: Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Publication_Date: 2026 Title: NOAA Deep Sea Minerals Online_Linkage: https://console.cloud.google.com/storage/browser/noaa-deep-sea-minerals;tab=objects?prefix=&forceOnObjectsSortingFiltering=false Type_of_Source_Media: Google Cloud database Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Calendar_Date: 20260430 Source_Currentness_Reference: Date that database READ ME file was created. Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NOAA Seafloor Mapping and Imagery Data Source_Contribution: Seafloor mapping (ship- and AUV-based) and AUV imagery used to inform box core sample locations Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Publication_Date: 2026 Title: 2026 American Samoa Mapping: NV5 Contract Work: Box Core Photos Online_Linkage: https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/mineral-samples/2026-nv5-american-samoa/ Type_of_Source_Media: online database Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Calendar_Date: 20260428 Source_Currentness_Reference: Date that final image was captured. Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Box Core Sample Photos Source_Contribution: Shipboard images of box core samples. Process_Step: Process_Description: 38 box core samples were collected between April 13 and April 28, 2026, during USGS field activity 2026-604-FA. USGS directed the location of box core deployment. Seafloor mapping (ship- and AUV-based) and AUV imagery collected by NOAA in February-April 2026 were used to inform box core sample locations. External personnel working for organizations contracted through NOAA were responsible for deployment and recovery of an Ocean Instruments BX-750 Box Corer at each sample location; an AML Oceanographic CTD (conductivity temperature depth) and Kongsberg MiniS 37 -40V Ti transponder were mounted to the frame of the box core to determine the depth and location of each seafloor sample. Personnel contracted through NOAA collected USBL location data. USGS was responsible for all sample processing after the box core was recovered. Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: NOAA Seafloor Mapping and Imagery Data Process_Date: 20260428 Process_Step: Process_Description: Top water was removed from the box core using a peristaltic pump and tubing, then a photograph of the box core surface was captured. All box core sample photos are available online through NOAA at https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/mineral-samples/2026-nv5-american-samoa/. Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Box Core Sample Photos Process_Date: 20260428 Process_Step: Process_Description: Surface ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks were immediately removed from the box core after top water removal and box core surface photography, then transferred to a laboratory van. Ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks along the edges of the box core that appeared to have been pushed down by the spade were included in the surface mass. Excess sediment was removed by rinsing the nodules with filtered seawater. The wet mass of surface ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks was determined using a RoMech digital crane scale that was calibrated with NIST certified weights and had a lower detection limit of 0.5 kilograms. Process_Date: 20260428 Process_Step: Process_Description: Buried ferromanganese nodules were recovered from four box cores (BX03, BX32, BX33, BX36) during subcoring (collection of push cores), push core processing, or by hand-searching the remaining sediment after subcores were removed. The sediment depth in these four box core samples ranged from 34-40 centimeters. Excess sediment was removed from buried nodules by rinsing with freshwater or filtered seawater. The wet mass of buried nodules was determined using a RoMech digital crane scale that was calibrated with NIST certified weights and had a lower detection limit of 0.5 kilograms. The wet mass of buried nodules was added to the wet mass of surface nodules to calculate the whole box mass of ferromanganese nodules and coated rocks. Process_Date: 20260428 Process_Step: Process_Description: The surface abundance and whole box abundance were calculated by dividing the measured surface mass and whole box mass of each box core by the surface area of the box core sample (0.5625 square meters). Process_Date: 20260430 Process_Step: Process_Description: The location of the box core on the seafloor was determined from the USBL location on bottom where available (BX38), from the deepest USBL location (BX06 and BX28) or by calculating the midpoint latitude and longitude of the deepest measured USBL coordinates from the up and down cast of each box core. Only downcast USBL data was available for BX06 and only upcast USBL data was available for BX28. Samples BX 01-05, 17, and 25 did not have functioning USBL data, indicated by -9999 in the data table. The water depth of each box core sample was determined by extracting the deepest measured depth value from the box core CTD data and correcting this depth for the mounted height of the CTD (2 meters from the base of the box core). Process_Date: 20260527 Process_Step: Process_Description: Box core sample information (date and time on bottom, station name, sample location and depth) and surface and total abundance were combined into a comma-delimited text values document (2026-604-FA_NoduleAbundance.csv). Process_Date: 20260527 Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 38 Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.00001 Longitude_Resolution: 0.00001 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: D_WGS_1984 Ellipsoid_Name: WGS_1984 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.2572223563 Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition: Depth_System_Definition: Depth_Datum_Name: local sea surface Depth_Resolution: 1 Depth_Distance_Units: meters Depth_Encoding_Method: Attribute values Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Detailed_Description: Entity_Type: Entity_Type_Label: 2026-604-FA_NoduleAbundance.csv Entity_Type_Definition: table containing box core sample ID, date and time on bottom, location and water depth, station, surface abundance and whole box abundance of ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks. Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute: Attribute_Label: Cruise_ID Attribute_Definition: Lists the alphanumeric cruise identifier for the expedition during which the sample was collected Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: 2026-604-FA is the cruise ID and a U.S. Geological Survey field activity number Attribute: Attribute_Label: Core_ID Attribute_Definition: The sample ID for each box core sample Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique sample identifier Attribute: Attribute_Label: Node Attribute_Definition: Lists the alphanumeric node near which the box core sample was collected. Node locations and names were determined as part of NOAA’s American Samoa Abyssal Mapping effort, OPR-T900-KR-26, and correspond to AUV focused grid surveys; they are given to facilitate referencing between co-located datasets. Mapping and seafloor image data from each node is included in the NOAA Seafloor Mapping and Imagery Data online database. Attribute_Definition_Source: Producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique location identifier Attribute: Attribute_Label: Date_On_Bottom Attribute_Definition: Date that the box core made contact with the seafloor in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 4/13/2026 Range_Domain_Maximum: 4/28/2026 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Date in MM/DD/YYYY format Attribute: Attribute_Label: Time_On_Bottom Attribute_Definition: Time that the box core made contact with the seafloor in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 24-hour time format. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0:16 Range_Domain_Maximum: 23:13 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Time in HH:MM format Attribute: Attribute_Label: Surface_Abundance Attribute_Definition: The abundance of ferromanganese nodules and/or ferromanganese coated rocks collected from the surface of the box core in units of kilograms per square meter. Values of -9999 indicate that no analysis was performed; this occurred when the box core did not recover a seafloor sample. Values of -8888 indicate that the measurement was below the detection limit of 0.5 kilograms. Values of 0.0 indicate that no ferromanganese nodules or ferromanganese coated rocks were present in the box core sample. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 18.5 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: kilograms per square meter Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .1 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Whole_Box_Abundance Attribute_Definition: The abundance of ferromanganese nodules and/or ferromanganese coated rocks collected from the whole box core in units of kilograms per square meter. This value includes the mass of buried ferromanganese nodules and/or ferromanganese coated rocks when present. Values of -9999 indicate that no analysis was performed; this occurred when the box core did not recover a seafloor sample. Values of -8888 indicate that the measurement was below the detection limit of 0.5 kilograms. Values of 0.0 indicate that no ferromanganese nodules or ferromanganese coated rocks were present on the surface of the box core. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.0 Range_Domain_Maximum: 21.0 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: kilograms per square meter Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .01 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Latitude_USBL Attribute_Definition: Latitude of the box core at the listed date and time on bottom, determined by a USBL system. Values of -9999 indicate that data are not available. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -17.035401 Range_Domain_Maximum: -13.170653 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .000001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Longitude_USBL Attribute_Definition: Longitude of the box core at the listed date and time on bottom, determined by a USBL system. Values of -9999 indicate that data are not available. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -167.861665 Range_Domain_Maximum: -165.620218 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .000001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Latitude_Ship Attribute_Definition: Latitude of the surface vessel when the box core made contact with the seafloor. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -17.03570 Range_Domain_Maximum: -13.17100 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .00001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Longitude_Ship Attribute_Definition: Longitude of the surface vessel when the box core made contact with the seafloor. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: -167.86053 Range_Domain_Maximum: -165.61942 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: decimal degrees Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: .00001 Attribute: Attribute_Label: Water_Depth Attribute_Definition: Water depth where the box core sample was collected. This depth was determined using a CTD mounted to the box core frame. Attribute_Definition_Source: producer defined Attribute_Domain_Values: Range_Domain: Range_Domain_Minimum: 5184 Range_Domain_Maximum: 5787 Attribute_Units_of_Measure: meters Attribute_Measurement_Resolution: 1 Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: This dataset contains one comma separated values (CSV) file describing box core sample information collected during USGS field activity 2026-604-FA (2026-604-FA_NoduleAbundance.csv). The first line of the csv file is a header line. Geochemical data are included in a separate part of this data release. Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: CO Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 1-888-275-8747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sciencebase@usgs.gov Resource_Description: These data are available in .csv format contained in a single file accompanied by CSDGM FGDC-compliant metadata. Distribution_Liability: Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: comma-delimited text Format_Version_Number: Microsoft Excel 15 Format_Information_Content: File contains table in .csv format File_Decompression_Technique: No compression applied Transfer_Size: 0.00357 Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P149BW9Z Access_Instructions: Data can be downloaded using the Network_Resource_Name links and scrolling down to the Abundance of ferromanganese nodules and ferromanganese coated rocks dataset. Fees: None. Technical_Prerequisites: These data can be viewed with Microsoft Excel or any text reader. Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20260623 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center Contact_Person: PCMSC Science Data Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical Address: 2885 Mission Street City: Santa Cruz State_or_Province: CA Postal_Code: 95060 Contact_Voice_Telephone: 831-427-4747 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pcmsc_data@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998