Ecological aspects of deep-sea mining
About
The JPI Oceans action 'Ecological aspects of deep-sea mining' aims at assessing the long-term impacts of polymetallic nodule mining on the deep-sea environment. Core of the action is the research project MiningImpact 2 project which gathers 32 partners from 10 different countries and will conduct an independent scientific monitoring of the impact of an industrial test to harvest manganese nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone.
This MiningImpact 2 project will follow up on the results of the first JPI Oceans supported MiningImpact project which was concluded in late December 2017. While the initial project investigated experimental and rather small disturbances of the seafloor over decadal timescales, the new project will set up a comprehensive monitoring programme to ensure an independent scientific investigation of the environmental impacts of an industrial component trial of a nodule collector system by the Belgian contractor DEME-GSR.
Objectives
- To develop and test monitoring concepts and strategies for deep-sea mining operations
- To develop standardization procedures for monitoring and definitions for indicators of a good environmental status
- To investigate potential mitigation measures, such as spatial management plans of mining operations and means to facilitate ecosystem recovery
- To develop sound methodologies to assess the environmental risks and estimate benefits, costs and risks
- To explore how uncertainties in the knowledge of impacts can be implemented into appropriate regulatory frameworks
Impact
The first research project 'MiningImpact' improved the understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the impact of mining thereon. The project has not only attracted interest from the the G7 Science Ministers in their Communiqué from October 2015, but is also delivering input into the development of the international Mining Code (set of regulations for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules in the deep seabed beyond the limits of national jurisdiction), which the International Seabed Authority is in the process of negotiating. At the 22nd Session of the Authority in July 2016, MiningImpact presented these results in order to ensure that the international deep sea mining regime is built on a solid scientific basis and the best available knowledge.
In general, the cost-effective joint use of research infrastructure has facilitated the development of a common understanding and integration of national research activities around a common scientific objective. It has also enabled more effective collective European contributions to international policy-making.
Scientists involved in the project also published the results from the recent research campaign in Nature's Scientific Reports, demonstrating that polymetallic nodule fields are hotspots of abundance and diversity for a highly vulnerable abyssal fauna.
- Nodule ecosystems support a highly diverse fauna of sessile and mobile species.
- Faunal communities & environmental parameters show a high variability even on a very local spatial scale.
- Benthic fauna communities differ significantly between seamounts and nodule habitats.
- Loss of seafloor integrity by nodule and sediment removal generally reduces population densities and ecosystem functions. Biogeochemical remineralization processes and the productivity of the benthic community are both impacted by nodule removal.
- Disturbance impacts on nodule ecosystems last for many decades, affect numerous ecosystem compartments and functions
More details can be found on the final results overview of the project.
The second project, MiningImpact 2 will be able to further close existing knowledge gaps and reduce uncertainties on the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules. The project will specifically work towards policy recommendations and has reached out to the International Seabed Authority to become a partner in the project. It will further contribute to the preparation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for future European deep-sea pilot mining tests that are requested by the ISA, and to the Horizon2020 technology development projects Blue Atlantis and Blue Nodules.