DSDP and ODP have revealed numerous paleoceanographic events and paleoenvironmental changes which controlled the formation and distribution of marine mineral resources, and provided vast amount of scientific data for the study of marine mineralization.
    ODP and other related studies have proved that the development AABM and upwelling, high siliceous bioproductivity, and hiatus during Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene were favourable for the formation of polymetallic nodules, Co-rich crusts and phosphorites. Thus,DSDP and ODP have greatly contributed to the theory of marine mineralization.