Machines mining minerals in the deep ocean have been found to cause significant damage to life on the seabed, according to scientists conducting the largest study of its kind. The number of animals found in the tracks of vehicles was reduced by 37% compared to untouched areas, indicating a severe impact on marine biodiversity.
The researchers discovered over 4,000 animals, with 90% being new species, in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Vast quantities of critical minerals, which are vital for green technologies, are thought to be located in these deep ocean areas; however, deep-sea mining is very controversial and currently constrained due to lack of understanding about its environmental impact.
The research, led by scientists from the Natural History Museum in London, the UK National Oceanography Centre, and the University of Gothenburg, was conducted at the behest of The Metals Company, which is exploring for these minerals. The team compared biodiversity two years before and two months after test mining operations that affected the seafloor.
Following this test mining, populations of animals between 0.3mm to 2cm in size, such as worms and clams, fell by 37% and species diversity decreased by 32%. The machine removes about the top five centimetres of sediment, which is where most of the animals live, explained Eva Stewart, the lead author of the study.
Concerns have risen that pollution from mining could further threaten less resilient marine species, even if they survive the initial disturbances. While nearby areas of clouded sediment did not show a pronounced reduction in animal abundance, the impact of the mining tests remains a significant concern.
While the mining company has expressed satisfaction with findings showing limited impacts, experts assert that the current technology is damaging enough to warrant further caution. The deep ocean plays a vital role in our environment, already threatened by climate change and rising temperatures.
Amidst an urgent push for cleaner energy reliant on these minerals, voices advocating for conservation are echoing louder than ever, underscoring a critical need for sustainable practices before it's too late.
