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.
They found that the number of animals found in the tracks of the vehicles was reduced by 37% compared to untouched areas.
The researchers found 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 was conducted at the request of the Metals Company, representing an effort to understand the environmental consequences of deep-sea mining.
Specific biodiversity was examined before and after the test mining, revealing a decline of 37% in species richness within disturbed regions.
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, explained lead author Eva Stewart.
This study highlights the urgent need to reconcile mineral extraction for renewable technologies with the preservation of marine ecosystems.
