Question

Manganese nodules are _________?

1) Found in the deep sea
2) Found in freshwater lakes
3) Found in deserts
4) Found in volcanic regions

Answer 1

Manganese nodules are found in the deep sea, particularly in the abyssal zone, where they are a part of a unique ecosystem supported by chemosynthetic bacteria living around hydrothermal vents.

Step-by-step explanation:

Manganese nodules are found in the deep sea, especially within the abyssal zones characterized by depths of 4000 m or greater. These nodules are rich in metals and can occur on the seafloor where they may grow to over meters in diameter over millions of years. The environment in the abyssal zone is very cold, with high pressure, high oxygen content, and low nutrient content, lacking light, thus devoid of plants. However, hydrothermal vents in the same zone support unique ecosystems where chemosynthetic bacteria serve as the base of the food chain, using minerals such as hydrogen sulfide as an energy source. Manganese nodules are thus not only interesting as biological catalysts but also hold potential economic value due to the metals they contain.