Abstract
Deep sea mining refers to the mining of valuable mineral resources from the deep ocean floor. Given the complex and fragile nature of deep-sea ecosystems, adopting an interdisciplinary and holistic approach is crucial to ensure the sustainable and responsible development of deep-sea mining (DSM) operations. This includes work related to the assessment of potential environmental impacts where physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the target area are studied along with potential short-term and long-term effects on the surrounding ecosystems. These effects will be mining system dependent. Stakeholder engagement is essential. There are however knowledge gaps related to the deep-sea ecosystems and their interconnectedness, biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics and both the potential impacts from a single operation and cumulative impacts of the mining activities, as well as the mining systems themselves and the characteristics of the deposits. Collaboration between marine biologists, oceanographers, geologists, engineers and other relevant disciplines is essential to gain comprehensive insights. Closing these gaps would enable the development and implementation of a robust regulatory framework at both national and international levels to govern potential deep-sea mining operations. Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms must also be put in place to ensure compliance with the not-yet-developed set of standards. Multiscale adaptive management approaches where different temporal- and spatial scales are taken into consideration and where scientific knowledge, stakeholder engagement, robust regulations, and responsible practices are integrated, are the prerequisite for future responsible extraction of mineral resources from the ocean floor. This chapter gives an overview of topics relevant and needed for a proper multiscale marine mineral management. Its focus on the water column is restricted to vertical transportation and the impact of plume resettlement on biogeochemical processes.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Deep-Sea Mining and the Water Column |
| Subtitle of host publication | Advances, Monitoring and Related Issues |
| Editors | Rahul Sharma |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Chapter | 2 |
| Pages | 41-64 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-031-59060-3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-031-59059-7, 978-3-031-59062-7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Jun 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository 'You share, we take care!' - Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-careOtherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.
Keywords
- Adaptive management
- Responsible mining
- Holistic marine mineral resource management
- Vertical transportation
- Biogeochemical processes
