DISTRIBUTIONS AND DIVISIONS OF MINERAL RESOURCES IN THE SEA AREAS OF CHINA: PLACER DEPOSIT AND FERROMANGANESE NODULE/CRUST

Based on recent results and new data, we summarize and study distributions and divisions of placer deposits and ferromanganese nodules/crusts in the sea areas of China. The coastal placer deposits widely spread in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea, but the quantity of placer resources is different in different provinces. Recently, many anomalous-grade regions and high-content areas of valuable minerals have been discovered and outlined, and it showed that the prospective resources were considerable. Based on distribution, geological structure, formation environment and elemental characteristics, it is suggested that three prospecting zones and 24 divisions of the placer deposits have been outlined. At present, ferromanganese nodules were only discovered in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, but it is of a little significance because of metal content. Ferromanganese nodules/crusts are widely distributed in the northeastern continental slope,S W subbasin and middle central subbasin of the South China Sea.REE contents of ferromanganese nodules/crusts occurring in the northern continental slope,seamounts and platforms are high in content, indicating a large potential prospect.