Fossil shark teeth record a microscale pathway for ferromanganese oxide nucleation and Li-Ni enrichment in deep-sea biogenic substrates
Researchers have identified a four-stage mineralization process in fossil shark teeth that explains how deep-sea ferromanganese oxides form and accumulate critical metals like lithium and nickel. This study provides a microscale model for understanding how biogenic substrates contribute to the formation of deep-sea mineral reservoirs.
Why it matters
Understanding these mineralization processes is crucial for the sustainable exploration of deep-sea mineral resources, which are essential for the global low-carbon economy.
Scientific Reports ( 2026 ) Cite this article
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