Deep-sea mining for rare minerals could be more damaging than previously thought. This has been confirmed by the investigation carried out by a group of conservationists, which indicates that it could cause "extensive and irreversible" damage to the planet, as reported by The Guardian.
The wildlife charity Fauna
Following a depletion of land supplies, mining companies have turned to exploiting seabed deposits, crucial to the alternative energy sector. According to The Guardian, "oceanographers, biologists and other researchers have warned that these plans would cause widespread pollution, destroy the world's fish stocks and destroy marine ecosystems."
Sophie Benbow, marine director of the organization, highlights the importance of caring for this area: "The ocean plays a fundamental role in the basic functioning of our planet, and protecting its delicate ecosystem is not only essential for marine biodiversity but for all of humanity." life on Earth”.
Already in the year 2020 Fauna
Likewise, Weller warns in this regard: “The depths of the sea contain vast carbon deposits that could be completely disrupted by mining on the scale that is proposed and exacerbate the global crisis that we are experiencing through the increase in greenhouse gas levels. greenhouse".
One of the main problems in this regard is the lack of information on biodiversity by the population, which is generally unaware of this area. Benbow references the discovery of new species today, stating, "Every time an expedition is launched to collect species, we find that 70-90% of them are new to science." Therefore, mining could end up destroying an ecosystem that we don't even know about.
One of the main problems to take into account is the rhythm of life of the seabed, characterized by its slowness. The research highlights that this fact, together with the annihilation of marine animals (such as polychaete worms, sea cucumbers, corals and squids) would mean an unparalleled loss: "Once lost, biodiversity will be impossible to restore," says the report. .
The deep sea contains millions of nodules of manganese, nickel and cobalt, essential elements for the creation of electric cars, wind turbines and other devices needed to replace trucks, power plants and carbon-emitting factories.
For this reason, mining companies have begun to use robots that sweep the ocean floor, thus obtaining the nodules. These activities pose a danger to ecosystems, as they would end up sending sediment mixed with toxic metals to the surface, thus poisoning marine food chains.
In June 2021, the Pacific island state of Nauru notified the International Seabed Authority (ISA) of its intention to mine the seabed. Currently, researchers have expressed concern about it, since deep-sea mining could be allowed this year.
Weller notes: “The recently agreed UN high seas treaty signifies clear global recognition of the importance of ocean conservation, but collaborative efforts are still needed to curb deep-sea mining.”
