Study Reviews Environmental Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining on Ocean Ecosystems
A new comprehensive study led by the Natural History Museum in London and published in Current Biology examines the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ocean ecosystems. This research represents the first extensive review of its kind, synthesizing data from fifty years of experimental studies to assess the extent and duration of ecological damage caused by extracting mineral resources such as cobalt, nickel, and copper. These metals are increasingly vital for the global energy transition. The findings were presented at a media briefing featuring key authors, including Professor Adrian Glover, Head of the Deep-Sea Systematics and Ecology Group at the Natural History Museum, and Professor Jon Copley from the University of Southampton. The study highlights the significant risks posed to marine biodiversity and the long-lasting nature of disturbances in deep-sea environments. By consolidating decades of scientific evidence, the report aims to inform policymakers and the public about the potential consequences of expanding industrial activities in the deep ocean, balancing resource needs against ecological preservation.
Wire timeline
Study Reviews Environmental Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining on Ocean Ecosystems
A new comprehensive study led by the Natural History Museum in London and published in Current Biology examines the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining on ocean ecosystems. This research represents the first extensive review of its kind, synthesizing data from fifty years of experimental studies to assess the extent and duration of ecological damage caused by extracting mineral resources such as cobalt, nickel, and copper. These metals are increasingly vital for the global energy transition. The findings were presented at a media briefing featuring key authors, including Professor Adrian Glover, Head of the Deep-Sea Systematics and Ecology Group at the Natural History Museum, and Professor Jon Copley from the University of Southampton. The study highlights the significant risks posed to marine biodiversity and the long-lasting nature of disturbances in deep-sea environments. By consolidating decades of scientific evidence, the report aims to inform policymakers and the public about the potential consequences of expanding industrial activities in the deep ocean, balancing resource needs against ecological preservation.
Science Media Centre