Noise from deep-sea mining may span vast ocean areas
Williams, R.; Erbe, C.; Duncan, A.; Nielsen, K.; Washburn, T.; Smith, C. (2022). Noise from deep-sea mining may span vast ocean areas. Science (Wash.) 377(6602): 157-158. https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo2804
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Williams, R.
- Erbe, C.
- Duncan, A.
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- Nielsen, K.
- Washburn, T.
- Smith, C.
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| Abstract |
Despite increasing interest in deep-sea mining, there are long-standing concerns about environmental impacts on vulnerable and poorly understood ecosystems. These concerns took on new urgency in June 2021, when the Republic of Nauru notified the International Seabed Authority [ISA, the intergovernmental body erected by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) responsible for managing seabed resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction] of intent to sponsor an exploitation application for polymetallic nodule mining in the Pacific in 2 years. This triggered a provision in the 1994 Agreement related to UNCLOS, leaving 2 years for the ISA to adopt its first set of exploitation regulations or, failing that, consider Nauru’s application under existing international law. We argue that a critical source of potential environmental harm is understudied and largely overlooked: underwater noise generated by mining activities, which can disrupt ecosystems in many ways. |
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