Impact of deep-sea mining on seafloor ecosystem still evident 44 years later
Little is known about the long-term effects of deep-sea mining on the organic matter that supports life on the seafloor. However, as interest in mining the deep sea for rare metals grows, there is concern that disturbing the seabed could affect the ecosystems of the deep ocean.
Deep-sea mining's impact on seafloor ecosystems persists 44 years after initial tests. University of Liverpool researchers discovered that sediment organic matter quality and quantity remain significantly lower at a historic test site in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. The 100-ton mining machine left visible tracks on the seafloor in 1979, and the team returned to the area more than four decades later to examine its effects.
They found differences in organic matter composition, particle size, and reduced abundance of both larger animals and single-celled organisms in the mined area compared to undisturbed control sites. The study emphasizes the importance of considering long-term changes to organic matter when evaluating deep-sea mining impacts, as it directly influences the food available to deep-sea organisms and the recovery and resilience of the ecosystems.
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