On the discovery of ferromanganese nodules in the World Ocean

For a century, the discovery of ferromanganese (Fe–Mn) nodules in World Ocean was universally and indisputably credited to Challenger circum-global oceanographic expedition 1872–1876, during which first manganese crusts were dredged up from sea floor February–March 1873. A century later, counterclaim appeared literature, crediting Nordenskiöld's on Sofia 1868, five years before findings, for Fe–Mn ocean. This counterclaim, widely accepted without scrutiny, based Gustaf Lindström (1884) chemical analysis single bottom sediment sample among 14 samples two Arctic expeditions led by Nordenskiöld: 1868 Vega 1878–1880. The report published as an eight-page brochure Swedish remained almost unknown research community until now. close examination this other historical evidence revealed that Kara Sea is invalid three notable facts: (1) never sailed Sea; (2) with extremely high content Mn (24%), collected Expedition across Northeast Passage; (3) sampling 1878, not 1868. Meanwhile, half prior sampling, 18 February March 7, 1873 expedition. These findings have been promptly reported May Thus, credit firmly belongs