A recent study has revealed that a strip of the Pacific Ocean seabed, mined for metals over 40 years ago has yet to recover. The findings led by Britain’s National Oceanography Centre highlight the long term environmental toll of deep sea mining and strengthen calls for a global moratorium as the U.N.’s International Seabed Authority (ISA) deliberates new mining regulations.
The expedition to the mineral rich Clarion Clipperton Zone examined an area impacted by a test mining experiment in 1979. Scientists found that the extraction of polymetallic nodules had caused sediment changes and reduced populations of larger marine organisms. While some smaller mobile creatures showed signs of recovery much of the ecosystem remains disturbed.
“This study is crucial for understanding deep sea mining’s long term impact,” said expedition leader Daniel Jones. “While recolonization is occurring in some areas, others show little to no recovery.”
As 36 nations meet in Jamaica to discuss mining regulations, environmental groups are urging a halt to seabed extractions with support from 32 governments and 63 corporations. Meanwhile, Canada’s The Metals Company plans to submit the first formal mining application in June arguing that deep sea mining has a lower environmental footprint than land based extraction.
With the evidence of lasting damage mounting, the debate over deep sea mining’s future is intensifying, placing pressure on global policymakers to act before further harm is done.
