Articles tagged with Deep Sea Mining
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Researchers at Max Planck Institute present efficient and low-CO2 process to extract copper, nickel, and cobalt from deep-sea ore nodules. The method generates significantly less waste and deforestation compared to traditional land-based mining.
A new study finds that deep-sea mining waste can disrupt marine life in the midwater 'twilight zone', where vast communities of zooplankton support the ocean's food system. The waste, released during a 2022 mining trial, has lower concentrations of amino acids, threatening the delicate balance of the food web.
A team of scientists from Chile and the US discovered dozens of red cusk-eels embedded in tubeworm bushes at a methane seep. The finding suggests these seeps are not just habitats for obscure creatures but also important for commercially fished species like cusk-eels.
Thirty species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras are at risk due to deep-sea mining, which can harm their habitats and disrupt ecosystems. The study recommends establishing monitoring programs, creating protected areas, and including these species in environmental impact assessments to mitigate the risks.
A new study reveals a dynamic community of zooplankton in the abyssal benthic boundary layer, which responds dramatically to seasonal changes in food sinking from surface waters. Deep-sea mining could have significant and unavoidable impacts on biodiversity regardless of time of year.
The MiningImpact project is investigating the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ocean ecosystems. Scientists are studying biodiversity, genetic connectivity, and ecosystem health to develop indicators and threshold values for harm.
A new study by the University of British Columbia warns that deep-sea mining could lead to a 13% increase in environmental degradation, posing significant hazards for marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and businesses. The study advocates for a shift towards circular economy strategies to mitigate these risks.
A new study found that deep-sea mining for rare metals has a persistent impact on biodiversity and species variety in the deep ocean. The research, conducted 5,000m below the surface in the Pacific Ocean, showed that even 44 years after the initial mining test, lower levels of biodiversity remain at the site.
A recent study published in Nature Communications provides detailed data on the far-field spatial footprint of mining-induced plume dispersion and redeposition beyond the mining area. The research found that sediment concentrations were up to 10,000 times higher near the mining site and returned to normal levels after 14 hours.
A recent study found that microbial communities thrive on inactive hydrothermal vent smokers, producing organic carbon and fixing CO2. These ecosystems are crucial for understanding the deep-sea carbon cycle and its interactions with the environment.
A new study found that sediment plumes from deep-sea mining can cause significant stress in midwater jellyfish, leading to excess mucus production and energetic costly responses. The researchers also discovered that the stress response is more severe than expected even for a four-degree rise in sea temperature.
A recent study has discovered over 300 species of annelid worms in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a critical area for deep-sea mining. The findings highlight the need for better biodiversity knowledge to inform environmental management and policy decisions.
Researchers found a 43% drop in fish and shrimp density around the mining zone and a 56% decrease in surrounding areas. The study suggests that sediment plumes from deep-sea mining can contaminate food sources for ocean animals.
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is home to an estimated 5,578 different species, with 88-92% of them entirely new to science. Researchers have discovered a variety of unique species, including sea cucumbers, nematodes, and sponges.
A new study by AWI researchers finds that manganese nodules can contain high levels of radioactive substances, including radium-226 and thorium-230, which exceed radiation protection limits. Handling these nodules without protective gear poses a health risk to humans.
A multidisciplinary team discovers three new active hydrothermal vent fields over a 434-mile stretch of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, revealing rich biological communities and vast marine life. The discovery highlights the need for more research to understand the effects of deep-sea mining on these unique ecosystems.
Researchers warn that deep-sea mining near hydrothermal vents in the Okinawa Trough could harm species hundreds of kilometers away due to interconnected ecosystems. Key vents should be protected for conservation, with some vent sites identified as crucial hubs for maintaining connectivity.
Researchers warn of significant risks to ocean ecosystems and cetaceans from commercial-scale deep seabed mining. The study highlights the need for urgent research to assess potential impacts on cetaceans, which are highly sensitive to sound and already facing multiple stressors like climate change.
Researchers used hydrophones to monitor two deep-sea hydrothermal vents, finding that they produce subtle sounds near the low end of human hearing range. Characterizing these sounds can help predict and prevent environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.
A new field study reveals a previously unobserved fluid dynamic process that affects the ocean's deep-sea mining operations. Researchers equipped a pre-prototype collector vehicle with instruments to monitor its sediment plume disturbances, finding that the plumes remained relatively low and spread under their own weight.
A new study found that noise from one mine alone could travel approximately 500 kilometers in gentle weather conditions, with cumulative impacts likely in areas with multiple mines. The deep sea is home to organisms found nowhere else on Earth, and mining activities could have untold impacts on these species.
Researchers highlight need for stronger integration of international negotiations to protect the ocean. They emphasize the importance of the ecosystem approach and regional environmental management plans in achieving a more cohesive global governance solution.
Researchers collected over 300 samples from the seafloor to study biodiversity, mineral makeup, and ecological effects of toxic waste dumping. They discovered a new area of methane seepage and a whale fall, providing insights into the impact of human actions on deep-sea ecosystems.
A new DNA study has revealed a 2000% increase in our knowledge of seafloor molluscs in the Pacific Clarion Clipperton Zone. This includes the discovery of 21 previously unknown species, including one considered a living fossil.
Scientists have discovered a new group of sponges in the central Pacific Ocean that could serve as an indicator species for measuring the impact of deep-sea mining. The newly found sponge species, Plenaster craigi, is abundant on metal-rich nodules at depths of 4000m and has been described from two expeditions to the region.
International scientists warn that deep-sea mining will inevitably harm biodiversity due to the scale and depth of operations. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean is at risk of severe damage, with some projects covering over 83,000 square kilometers.