Midwater animal biodiversity that could be affected by deep sea mining. Photo credit: E. Goetze, K. Peijnenburg, D. Perrine, Hawaii Seafood Council (B. Takenaka, J. Kaneko), S. Haddock, J. Drazen, B. Robison, DEEPEND (Danté Fenolio) and MBARI.
Interest in deep-sea mining for copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese and other valuable metals has grown substantially in the last decade and mining activities are anticipated to begin soon. A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, led by University of Hawaii at M?noa researchers, argues that deep-sea mining poses significant risks, not only to the area immediately surrounding mining operations but also to the water hundreds to thousands of feet above the seafloor, threatening vast midwater ecosystems. Further, the scientists suggest how these risks could be evaluated more comprehensively to enable society and managers to decide if and how deep-sea mining should proceed.
Currently 30 exploration licenses cover about 580,000 square miles of the seafloor on the high seas and some countries are exploring exploitation in their own water as well. Thus far, most research assessing the impacts of mining and environmental baseline survey work has focused on the seafloor.
However, large amounts of mud and dissolved chemicals are released during mining and large equipment produces extraordinary noise—all of which travel high and wide. Unfortunately, there has been almost no study of the potential effects of mining beyond the habitat immediately adjacent to extraction activities.
“This is a call to all stakeholders and managers,” said Jeffrey Drazen, lead author of the article and UH Manoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) professor of oceanography. “Mining is poised to move forward yet we lack scientific evidence to understand and manage the impacts on deep pelagic ecosystems, which constitute most of the biosphere. More research is needed very quickly.”
First look at potential threats
The deep midwaters of the world’s ocean represent more than 90 percent of the biosphere, contain 100 times more fish than the annual global catch, connect surface and seafloor ecosystems, and play key roles in climate regulation and nutrient cycles. These ecosystem services, as well as untold biodiversity, could be negatively affected by mining. The paper provides a first look at potential threats to this system.
“Hawaii is situated in the middle of some of the most likely locations for deep-sea mining,” said Drazen. “The current study shows that mining and its environmental impacts may not be confined to the seafloor thousands of feet below the surface but could threaten the waters above the seafloor, too. Harm to midwater ecosystems could affect fisheries, release metals into food webs that could then enter our seafood supply, alter carbon sequestration to the deep ocean, and reduce biodiversity which is key to the healthy function of our surrounding oceans.”
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Deep sea mining
- How the US can set standards on international deep-sea mineral mining
On land, China has used its power to drive mining and build processing infrastructure at a scale and pace unfathomable in Western markets. But polymetallic nodules in the deep sea offer an opportunity ...
- What the heck is seaweed mining?
Seaweed could represent an alternative to conventional mining and other prospects, such as deep-sea mining. “There are a lot of complexities in the entire process, and that’s why it’s in the category ...
- Norway invites proposals for blocks for controversial deep-sea mining
Norwegian authorities on Monday took another step towards the controversial mining of its seabed, by inviting potential actors to nominate blocks that would be of interest in a first licensing round.
- Op:ed - Seabed mining innovators face murky IP waters
Interest in seabed mining as a new way to harvest rare minerals is growing. However, many challenges lie ahead for innovators looking to gain a stake in this ...
- China to begin deep-sea mining trials
Chinese state-backed explorer China Minmetals Corporation (CMC) is launching a public consultation on the environmental impact of an upcoming polymetallic ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Deep sea mining
[google_news title=”” keyword=”deep sea mining” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Deep midwaters of the world’s ocean
- Mystery of Antarctica's 'Large' Sea Ice Hole Solved
Scientists first discovered the mysterious hole in the 1970s, but questions have remained about how it formed.
- Researchers found the planet's deepest under-ocean sinkhole – and it's so big, they can't get to the bottom
Blue holes are considered an "oasis" for marine life – but the Taam Ja' Blue Hole off the coast of Mexico remains largely mysterious.
- Scientists have identified what could potentially be the 'deepest known blue hole' in the world
Scientists have identified what could potentially be the “deepest known blue hole” in the world, and they've not even reached the bottom yet.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Deep midwaters of the world’s ocean
[google_news title=”” keyword=”deep midwaters of the world’s ocean” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]