Scientists urge caution, further assessment of ecological impacts above
deep sea mining

Date:
July 9, 2020
Source:
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Summary:
A new study 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.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== 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, led by University
of Hawai'i (UH) at Manoa 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. 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 professor of oceanography at UH
Manoa. "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." The deep midwaters of the world's
ocean represent more than 90% 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.

This recent paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Science, provides a first look at potential threats to this system.

"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," said Drazen. "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." In accordance with UN Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
is required to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment, including deep midwater ecosystems, from harmful effects arising from mining-related activities. In order to minimize environmental harm,
mining impacts on the midwater column must be considered in research
plans and development of regulations before mining begins.

"We are urging researchers and governing bodies to expand midwater
research efforts, and adopt precautionary management measures now in
order to avoid harm to deep midwater ecosystems from seabed mining,"
said Drazen.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Hawaii_at_Manoa. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Jeffrey C. Drazen, Craig R. Smith, Kristina M. Gjerde, Steven H. D.

Haddock, Glenn S. Carter, C. Anela Choy, Malcolm R. Clark, Pierre
Dutrieux, Erica Goetze, Chris Hauton, Mariko Hatta, J. Anthony
Koslow, Astrid B. Leitner, Aude Pacini, Jessica N. Perelman, Thomas
Peacock, Tracey T. Sutton, Les Watling, Hiroyuki Yamamoto. Opinion:
Midwater ecosystems must be considered when evaluating environmental
risks of deep-sea mining. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 2020; 202011914 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011914117 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200709141617.htm

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