Deep-Sea Mining Danger: Major Impact on Seabed Wildlife

Fri Dec 05 2025 20:00:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent study reveals that deep-sea mining activities can severely harm marine life, affecting over 37% of seabed animals. This research sparks a debate on environmental risks versus demand for critical minerals.

A comprehensive study by scientists has found that deep-sea mining significantly reduces marine biodiversity, with a 37% decrease in the number of animals in areas affected by mining vehicles. The research highlights the potential ecological risks of extracting critical minerals from the ocean floor, essential for renewable energy technologies. As the demand for these minerals increases due to climate change efforts, concerns grow about the long-term impacts on ocean life and health.

Machines mining minerals in the deep ocean have been found to cause significant damage to life on the seabed, scientists carrying out the largest study of its kind say.

The number of animals found in the tracks of the mining vehicles was reduced by 37% compared to untouched areas, according to the scientists.

The researchers discovered more than 4,000 animals, 90% of which were new species, living on the seafloor in a remote area of the Pacific Ocean.

Vast amounts of critical minerals needed for green technologies could be locked in the deep ocean, but deep-sea mining in international waters is very controversial and currently not permitted until more is known about the environmental impacts.

The research by scientists at the Natural History Museum in London, the UK National Oceanography Centre, and the University of Gothenburg was conducted at the request of deep-sea mining company The Metals Company. However, the scientists emphasized their independence, stating the company could view the results before publication but could not alter them.

The study compared biodiversity two years before and two months after test mining that drove machines for 80 km on the seafloor, specifically targeting animals 0.3 mm – 2 cm in size, such as worms, sea spiders, snails, and clams.

"The machine removes about the top five centimeters of sediment. That's where most of the animals live. So obviously, if you're removing the sediment, you're removing the animals in it too," said lead author Eva Stewart, a PhD student at the Natural History Museum and the University of Southampton.

The study showed that while there was significant disruption in the mined areas, pollution from the mining operations could also pose a long-term threat to less resilient species.

As this research is stirring conversations regarding the balance between necessity and ecological preservation, the future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain. With various countries pushing for bans and conservation, it highlights an intricate dilemma of modern resource acquisition.