Polymetallic nodule

Polymetallic nodules are small, rounded rock formations found on the deep-sea floor, primarily composed of layers of metal-rich minerals like manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt. They develop over millions of years as mineral-rich sediments slowly accumulate around a core, such as a fragment of rock or a shell. These nodules are significant because they contain valuable metals essential for technology and industry. Extracting them involves seabed mining, which raises environmental concerns due to impacts on deep-sea ecosystems. They represent a potential resource for future metal supply but require careful consideration of ecological and technological challenges.