Deep-sea mining tests produce persistent sediment plumes [developing]
Key Questions
What biodiversity has been discovered in Japan's deepest ocean trenches?
A new study revealed 108 megataxa between 4.5-9.8 km depths, including the deepest snailfish at 8.3 km, mystery gliders, sponges, and amphipods. These findings provide baseline data on habitats in trenches like those near Minamitorishima. Japan's Chikyu vessel is also exploring rare earths in these areas.
What new species were found in Australia's Coral Sea?
CSIRO expeditions discovered over 110 new species between 200-3900 m, including catsharks, chimaeras, rays, and sand tigers. These findings highlight the rich, underexplored biodiversity in the region. Scientists emphasize the need to document these before potential losses from human activities.
What is the Ocean Discovery League's (ODL) initiative?
ODL launched a mission to visually document the deep ocean floor at 10,000 locations, doubling current observation sites and addressing high-seas gaps. Their live 10k visualization map is now available. This effort aims for a representative approach to deep seafloor exploration.
What is the current status of ocean protection?
UNEP reports 10% of the ocean is now protected, with only 1.6% of high seas covered, including areas like French Polynesia and Australian MPAs that buffer predators. The goal is to triple protection within four years. This milestone supports biodiversity amid mining pressures.
How do deep-sea nodules threaten marine species?
Polymetallic nodules pose risks to at least 30 shark, ray, and chimaera species, as well as vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). Mining activities could disrupt scavenger baselines and biodiversity hotspots. Urgent documentation of VMEs and scavengers is needed.
What deep-sea mining activities are occurring in Norway?
The EMINENT project on Mohns Ridge targets sulfide deposits, demonstrating a full value chain for seabed copper extraction. It involves academia and industry collaboration over three years. The area hosts vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs).
What U.S. efforts are mapping seafloors for potential mining?
BOEM is mapping 70 million acres around CNMI and the Marianas using Saildrones, potentially for leasing to mining. This overlaps with US military interests and NOAA/CCZ licenses for companies like Deep Sea Minerals. Santa Cruz challenges include Trump orders and firms like TMC.
What are China's deep-sea activities and concerns?
China's SJTU developed a 30-story Floating Island, with 42 vessels involved in sub warfare and Cook Islands 'lawnmower' mining patterns, plus AIS blackouts. Research may cover surveillance, as per investigations. These raise geopolitical concerns in CCZ areas.
US DSM rush incl. Deep Sea Minerals ($SEAS/$DSEAF) NOAA/CCZ license; CA Santa Cruz vs Trump orders/TMC/Impossible Metals; China SJTU 30-story Floating Island/42 vessels sub warfare/Cook Islands 'lawnmower'/AIS blackouts; Japan Chikyu rare earths Minamitorishima/trenches biodiversity (108 megataxa 4.5-9.8km: deepest snailfish 8.3km/mystery glider/sponges/amphipods, CSIRO Coral Sea 110+ new spp 200-3900m: catshark/chimaera/ray/sand tiger); BOEM CNMI 70M acres + Marianas Saildrone/US military; TMC EIS/AMR/SeaX; Norway EMINENT Mohns Ridge sulfides (VME); UniLodz CCZ amphipods; Vanuatu twilight sharks; ODL 10k viz map live (doubles sites, high-seas gaps); UNEP 10% protected/1.6% high seas (French Polynesia/Aus MPAs buffer preds); nodules threaten 30 shark/ray/chimaera spp; House Lofgren/ISA/BBNJ; Azores VME; OHC surge; OceanEyes HI monitoring. Urgent VME/scavenger baselines.