The implications of deep-sea mining for marine ecosystems.
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Implications of Deep-Sea Mining for Marine Ecosystems
Introduction to Deep-Sea Mining and Marine Ecosystems
Deep-sea mining, the process of retrieving mineral resources from the ocean floor, has garnered significant interest due to the demand for metals essential for modern technologies. However, this activity poses substantial risks to marine ecosystems, particularly those in the deep sea, which are among the least understood and most vulnerable environments on Earth1 2 3.
Environmental Risks to Midwater Ecosystems
Sediment Plumes and Noise Pollution
Deep-sea mining operations generate sediment plumes and noise, which can have extensive ecological effects on midwater ecosystems. These ecosystems, extending from depths of approximately 200 meters to 5 kilometers, represent over 90% of the biosphere and play crucial roles in carbon export, nutrient regeneration, and the provisioning of fish stocks1. The sediment plumes can smother marine life, while noise pollution can disrupt the behavior and communication of marine species, including cetaceans1 7 9.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Midwater ecosystems are home to a diverse array of species, including squid, fish, shrimp, copepods, and marine worms. These species contribute to the biodiversity and ecosystem services that are vital for the health of the ocean. The disruption caused by mining activities could lead to significant biodiversity loss and impair ecosystem functions1 4 5.
Impacts on Seafloor Ecosystems
Habitat Destruction and Faunal Impact
Mining activities on the seafloor, such as the extraction of polymetallic nodules, can lead to the removal of habitats and energy sources, resulting in the potential extinction of local communities. Studies have shown that mining can cause severe immediate impacts on the density and diversity of benthic communities, with long-term effects that may persist for decades4 5.
Recovery and Mitigation Efforts
While some recovery in faunal density and diversity has been observed, it is often incomplete, and many species do not return to baseline conditions even after two decades. Effective environmental management plans, including mitigation and restoration actions, are essential to minimize the impacts of deep-sea mining. These actions may include the designation of set-aside areas, deployment of artificial substrates, and optimization of mining machinery to reduce environmental damage4 5.
Governance and Policy Challenges
Regulatory Frameworks
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is responsible for managing deep-sea mining activities beyond national jurisdictions. However, the governance of seabed mining is fragmented and often prioritizes exploitation over environmental protection. There is a need for coherent and effective policies that reconcile mining activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals2 6.
Need for Comprehensive Impact Assessments
Current methods for assessing the environmental impacts of seabed mining are inadequate. There is a pressing need for more comprehensive and pressure-specific impact assessments that integrate ecosystem services and consider the unique characteristics of different mining habitats3 10.
Conclusion
Deep-sea mining poses significant risks to marine ecosystems, particularly midwater and seafloor environments. The potential for long-lasting and possibly irreversible damage underscores the need for stringent environmental management and governance frameworks. Comprehensive impact assessments and effective mitigation strategies are crucial to ensure the protection and sustainability of these vulnerable ecosystems. As the interest in deep-sea mining continues to grow, it is imperative to balance economic interests with the preservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Opinion: Midwater ecosystems must be considered when evaluating environmental risks of deep-sea mining
Deep-sea mining poses significant risks to midwater ecosystems, which play key roles in carbon export, nutrient regeneration, and fish stock provisioning, and should be considered in environmental risk assessments.
Highly CitedDefining “serious harm” to the marine environment in the context of deep-seabed mining
Deep-seabed mining can cause "serious harm" to marine ecosystems, requiring strong actions to avoid such impacts.
Highly CitedAssessing the impacts of seabed mineral extraction in the deep sea and coastal marine environments: Current methods and recommendations for environmental risk assessment.
Seabed mineral extraction can negatively impact marine ecosystems, and future impact assessments should use pressure-specific expert elicitation and integrate ecosystem services for clearer rationale.
Potential Mitigation and Restoration Actions in Ecosystems Impacted by Seabed Mining
Effective environmental management plans should include mitigation and restoration actions to maintain or encourage reinstatement of resilient ecosystems impacted by seabed mining.
Biological responses to disturbance from simulated deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining
Deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining has significant negative biological effects on benthic communities, with some recovery in densities and diversity within a year, but long-term recovery is often less positive for mobile and small-sized fauna.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedSeabed Mining and Approaches to Governance of the Deep Seabed
Seabed mining poses significant environmental risks and requires effective policy to safeguard marine environments.
Challenging the Need for Deep Seabed Mining From the Perspective of Metal Demand, Biodiversity, Ecosystems Services, and Benefit Sharing
Deep seabed mining may not be necessary for the green energy revolution due to uncertain environmental impacts, biodiversity risks, and lack of equitable benefit sharing.
The last frontier: Coupling technological developments with scientific challenges to improve hazard assessment of deep-sea mining.
New cost-effective technologies and rigorous operating frameworks are crucial for responsible and sustainable deep-sea mining, based on the precautionary principle.
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