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<p>Investigation of the engineering properties of sediments in polymetallic nodule regions is essential for the efficient and sustainable extraction of these resources. In this study, both in situ and laboratory tests were systematically conducted to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties, mineral composition, and microstructure of sediments collected from the western Pacific polymetallic nodule region. In situ tests indicated that sediments within the upper 120&#xa0;cm exhibit extremely low undrained shear strength (&lt; 16&#xa0;kPa) and pronounced structural sensitivity, with over 60% strength loss occurring after the initial loading cycles and residual strength decreasing to 20–30% of the intact state. Laboratory tests further revealed strong vertical heterogeneity and the widespread occurrence of weak interlayers associated with elevated water content, high void ratio, and increased permeability. Microstructural observations showed that abundant biogenic debris and flocculated clay aggregates form a metastable skeletal framework with large intergranular pores, rendering the sediments highly susceptible to disturbance. The presence of polymetallic nodules contributes to biological accumulation and microstructural heterogeneity, thus promoting the formation of soft interlayers with reduced mechanical strength. The findings of this study provide the necessary sediment engineering characteristic parameters for deep-sea mining engineering applications and offer a deeper understanding of the sediment characteristics in the polymetallic nodule region.</p>

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Characterization of the engineering properties of deep-sea sediments in the western Pacific polymetallic nodule region

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月9日

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  • Na Zhu,
  • Zhihan Fan,
  • Xingsen Guo,
  • Yonggang Jia,
  • Xianming Zhu,
  • Xiaolei Liu,
  • Xuefa Shi,
  • Yuanyuan Liu

摘要

Investigation of the engineering properties of sediments in polymetallic nodule regions is essential for the efficient and sustainable extraction of these resources. In this study, both in situ and laboratory tests were systematically conducted to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties, mineral composition, and microstructure of sediments collected from the western Pacific polymetallic nodule region. In situ tests indicated that sediments within the upper 120 cm exhibit extremely low undrained shear strength (< 16 kPa) and pronounced structural sensitivity, with over 60% strength loss occurring after the initial loading cycles and residual strength decreasing to 20–30% of the intact state. Laboratory tests further revealed strong vertical heterogeneity and the widespread occurrence of weak interlayers associated with elevated water content, high void ratio, and increased permeability. Microstructural observations showed that abundant biogenic debris and flocculated clay aggregates form a metastable skeletal framework with large intergranular pores, rendering the sediments highly susceptible to disturbance. The presence of polymetallic nodules contributes to biological accumulation and microstructural heterogeneity, thus promoting the formation of soft interlayers with reduced mechanical strength. The findings of this study provide the necessary sediment engineering characteristic parameters for deep-sea mining engineering applications and offer a deeper understanding of the sediment characteristics in the polymetallic nodule region.