Research published in Nature Communications highlights potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining for battery minerals. The study indicates that waste generated from mining activities could threaten marine life by depleting food sources critical to smaller organisms, such as zooplankton. This depletion could have wider repercussions throughout oceanic food webs, affecting larger fish species that humans depend on for food and income.
The findings emerge as the Trump administration explores commercial deep-sea mining opportunities, including the approval of international permits for companies to extract minerals from the ocean floor. The first company to apply for such a permit funded the study, raising questions about the potential consequences of the mining practices suggested.
According to the study, waste released into the ocean’s “twilight zone,” located between 200 and 1,500 meters below the surface, might starve zooplankton and hinder larger marine animals that consume them. Lead author Michael Dowd emphasizes the need for further research to understand the risks and implications of these operations.
Mining activities focus on polymetallic nodules, rich in essential minerals like nickel and cobalt used for lithium-ion batteries. The Metals Company (TMC) claims its proposed waste disposal methods would circumvent some of the issues raised by scientists. However, they also acknowledge the challenge of determining optimal waste disposal locations.
More than 900 marine scientists have called for a halt to deep-sea mining initiatives, citing potential biodiversity loss and lasting ecological damage. Critics argue that the Trump administration’s moves may undermine international regulations set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which is working to establish a responsible mining framework.
Advances in battery technology and recycling methods suggest alternatives to deep-sea mineral extraction, potentially reducing reliance on such environmentally impactful practices.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/814694/deep-sea-mining-waste-battery-metals-research-trump