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Mining deep-ocean mineral deposits; what are the ecological risks?

Daniel O. B. Jones, Diva J. Amon and Abbie S. A. Chapman
Mining deep-ocean mineral deposits; what are the ecological risks? (in Deep-ocean mineral deposits, Paul A. J. Lusty (editor) and Bramley J. Murton (editor))
Elements (October 2018) 14 (5): 325-330

Abstract

A key question for the future management of the oceans is whether the mineral deposits that exist on the seafloor of the deep ocean can be extracted without significant adverse effects to the environment. The potential impacts of mining are wide-ranging and will vary depending on the type of metal-rich mineral deposit being mined. There is, currently, a significant lack of information about deep-ocean ecosystems and about potential mining technologies: thus, there could be many unforeseen impacts. Here, we discuss the potential ecological impacts of deep-ocean mining and identify the key knowledge gaps to be addressed. Baseline studies must be undertaken, as well as regular monitoring of a mine area, before, during, and after mineral extraction.


ISSN: 1811-5209
Serial Title: Elements
Serial Volume: 14
Serial Issue: 5
Title: Mining deep-ocean mineral deposits; what are the ecological risks?
Title: Deep-ocean mineral deposits
Author(s): Jones, Daniel O. B.Amon, Diva J.Chapman, Abbie S. A.
Author(s): Lusty, Paul A. J.editor
Author(s): Murton, Bramley J.editor
Affiliation: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
Affiliation: British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, United Kingdom
Pages: 325-330
Published: 20181001
Text Language: English
Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America and Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland and Mineralogical Association of Canada and Geochemical Society and Clay Minerals Society, International
References: 30
Accession Number: 2018-088969
Categories: Economic geology, geology of ore depositsEnvironmental geology
Document Type: Serial
Bibliographic Level: Analytic
Illustration Description: illus.
Secondary Affiliation: Natural History Museum, GBR, United KingdomUniversity of Southampton, GBR, United Kingdom
Country of Publication: International
Secondary Affiliation: GeoRef, Copyright 2019, American Geosciences Institute. Abstract, copyright, Mineralogical Society of America. Reference includes data from GeoScienceWorld, Alexandria, VA, United States
Update Code: 201848
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