Deep Seabed Mining: A Note on Some Potentials and Risks to the Sustainable Mineral Extraction from the Oceans

The rapidly increasing global populations and socio-economic development in the Global South have resulted in rising demand for natural resources. There are many plans for harvesting natural resources from the ocean floor, especially rare metals and minerals. However, if proper care is not taken, th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marine science and engineering 2021-05, Vol.9 (5), p.521
Main Authors: Leal Filho, Walter, Abubakar, Ismaila, Nunes, Cintia, Platje, Johannes, Ozuyar, Pinar, Will, Markus, Nagy, Gustavo, Al-Amin, Abul, Hunt, Julian, Li, Chunlan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Benthos
Biodiversity
Cobalt
Deep sea
Deep water
Ecological function
Economic development
Economics
Ecosystems
Environmental degradation
Environmental economics
Environmental impact
Environmental risk
Exclusive economic zone
exploitation
Habitat loss
Jurisdiction
Legal aspects
Maritime law
Metals
Mineral resources
Minerals
Mining
Natural resources
Noise pollution
Ocean floor
Oceans
Plumes
potentials
Risk
Socioeconomic aspects
Southern Hemisphere
Sustainability
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Summary:The rapidly increasing global populations and socio-economic development in the Global South have resulted in rising demand for natural resources. There are many plans for harvesting natural resources from the ocean floor, especially rare metals and minerals. However, if proper care is not taken, there is substantial potential for long-lasting and even irreversible physical and environmental impacts on the deep-sea ecosystems, including on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This paper reviews the literature on some potentials and risks to deep seabed mining (DSM), outlining its legal aspects and environmental impacts. It presents two case studies that describe the environmental risks related to this exploitative process. They include significant disturbance of the seabed, light and noise pollution, the creation of plumes, and negative impacts on the surface, benthic, and meso- and bathypelagic zones. The study suggests some of the issues interested companies should consider in preventing the potential physical and environmental damages DSM may cause. Sustainable mining and the use of minerals are vital in meeting various industrial demands.
ISSN:2077-1312
2077-1312
DOI:10.3390/jmse9050521