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https://theconversation.com/deep-sea-mining-may-wipe-out-species-we-have-only-just-discovered-173558>
"Deep sea hydrothermal vents harbour some of the most extraordinary species on
our planet. Lying at two to three kilometres below the surface, these extreme,
insular ecosystems are powered, not by the sunlight-driven photosynthesis that
we’re used to, but by energy from superheated mineral-rich seawater jetting
from cracks in the seafloor. This supports thriving and unique animal
communities with a density of life that rivals tropical rainforests or coral
reefs. From giant red tubeworms to iron-armoured snails, these species were
once considered to be untouchable by human activity, but that may not be the
case for very long.
There is growing industrial interest in the deep sea. Most importantly, this
includes mining for metals like copper, lead and zinc which form the towering
hydrothermal vent structures. The International Seabed Authority, the UN body
responsible for managing the seafloor beyond national jurisdictions, has
already granted 31 exploratory deep sea mining contracts, seven of them at
hydrothermal vents.
It is still unclear exactly how these huge mining machines will impact the deep
seafloor. But there’s no reason to expect it will be any more eco-friendly than
mining on land. At the very least, mining will destroy habitats and release
toxic sediment plumes, so scientists agree it’s not good news for deep-sea
creatures."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
