--sea-mud bonanza--
uhoh, from space pollution to deep sea pollution...
more yipes!
"...The deep sea (areas of >200 metres depth) represents the largest global biosphere in terms of habitable volume...
...Some of these deep-sea creatures have very long lifespans and reproduce very slowly, which makes them particularly vulnerable to disturbance.
... the deep ocean ...is essential to ensuring the habitability of the planet by providing key ecosystem functions and services. These include, for example, carbon sequestration and storage that regulates the climate8, nutrient cycling, and links to the provision of fisheries9.
...little is known about the potential detrimental effects of Deep-Sea Mining (DSM) activities...
environmental impacts:
Polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts form over millions of years and will, once mined, be lost for biota associated with this habitat, resulting in biodiversity and functional loss and maybe even species extinction...
Polymetallic sulphides ...may... make these areas unsuitable for recovery and recolonization.
...Sediment plumes... may bury or smother seafloor organisms and habitats, prevent recolonisation, interfere with feeding, respiration, reproduction, and disturb the settlement of juveniles. Plumes are also likely to be toxic.
...Midwater plumes from wastewater... could, in addition to the abovementioned effects in deeper water and the seabed, have clouding effects causing reduced light penetration, productivity and oxygen levels in the epipelagic zone (0-200 m)54,55, as well as other changes in water chemistry, even to the point of toxicity in higher water layers, depending on the depth at which the wastewater is injected. This could significantly alter midwater organisms’behaviour....
...Lights will be required around the clock for operations both on the seafloor (mining machines) and the surface (support vessels/platforms)... may hamper the vision of deep-sea species and interfere with orientation, communication, food-finding, mating and defence against predators...
...Oil spills and leaks from hydraulic equipment, as well as other contaminants from production or transport vessels constitute additional threats to the marine environment.
...very small and resilient alien species, such as bacteria, may be transported on mining machinery and pose a potential risk to established communities.
Acoustic survey technology, extraction at the seafloor and associated machinery... generate noise and vibration, most of which is emitted nearly constantly, with potentially far-reaching effects on marine life..."
oceancare.org |
