Diva Amon is deeply committed to ocean conservation during a time when the oceans need it most. As a marine biologist at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory at UC Santa Barbara, she is particularly fascinated by the deep sea—areas below 200 meters characterized by darkness, extreme pressure (up to 110 times sea level), and frigid temperatures (around 39°F). Despite these harsh conditions, the deep sea teems with life. Deep-ocean mining, which involves industrializing the seafloor to extract valuable minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, gold, and silver, poses a significant threat to this delicate ecosystem. Currently, mining is not underway, and Amon and her colleagues are actively working to prevent it. Amon discussed the issue with TIME in an interview that has been edited for conciseness and clarity.
TIME: The ocean floor holds vast mineral wealth. Can you describe the current state of deep-sea mining?
Amon: The , an independent UN body, governs mining in international waters. Over the past two decades, they’ve issued exploration licenses in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. More than 30 licenses have been granted, each covering approximately 75,000 kilometers, an area about the size of Sri Lanka. Additionally, countries like Norway, Japan, the Cook Islands, and Papua New Guinea are considering deep-sea mining within their own territorial waters.
What resources are countries and companies exploring for?
They’re targeting three main types of resources. First are polymetallic nodules, metallic lumps ranging in size from cherries to potatoes. These nodules form slowly, similar to pearls, by accumulating layers around a tiny particle over millions of years. They are also exploring for polymetallic sulfides, found at hydrothermal vents, which support unique and vibrant deep-sea ecosystems. Finally, they seek cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, which are layers that develop on seamounts (underwater mountains) and can vary in thickness from millimeters to feet.
How abundant is life in these resource-rich areas?
The targeted minerals are essential components of the seafloor, which provides crucial attachment points for deep-sea life, including corals, anemones, and fungi. Nodules, for example, serve as anchors or shelters. They are a fundamental aspect of the deep-sea ecosystem.
What other organisms inhabit these areas?
Our knowledge is incomplete. A published in 2023 revealed that 88% to 92% of multicellular species in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (spanning from Hawaii to Mexico) remain undescribed by science. We’re talking about thousands of unknown species, not just a few.
How extensive are the areas potentially affected by mining?
The scale is immense. Industry projections indicate plans to mine 500,000 square kilometers in the Clarion Clipperton Zone alone. The three-dimensional nature of the ocean means the impact could extend thousands of meters vertically and potentially triple the area horizontally. Mining activities will generate a plume, like a dust storm, that spreads far beyond the immediate mining site.
A secondary plume will also be created. Mined materials will be pumped to a surface ship, where minerals are separated from water, sediment, and metal particles. This sediment, wastewater, and particulate matter will then be discharged back into the ocean. Currently, there are no regulations specifying the depth at which this waste must be released—whether at the surface, thousands of meters deep, or directly onto the seafloor.
Can these ecosystems recover from such disturbances?
Deep-sea life is characterized by slow growth, slow reproduction, and a slow pace due to limited food availability. Consequently, these organisms are ill-equipped to handle environmental impact and recover very slowly. Ecosystem recovery in nodule-rich areas, for example, may take millions of years, essentially resulting in irreversible damage.
In the short term, mining operations will introduce unprecedented levels of noise and light to the deep sea, leading to biodiversity loss. Contaminants released from the plumes will also accumulate in the food chain, potentially affecting ecosystem services such as fisheries.
Some argue that deep-sea mining offers environmental benefits by replacing surface mining. Is this accurate?
There’s no evidence to suggest that deep-sea mining would replace land-based mining. It’s more likely that both would occur, leading to increased environmental destruction. Additionally, the ocean’s crucial role in climate regulation is often overlooked. It absorbs a significant amount of heat and sequesters vast quantities of carbon. The ocean is a vital ally in combating the climate crisis. Promoting deep-sea mining as a solution to climate change is akin to smoking to relieve stress.
How does your work contribute to the future of deep-sea mining?
I collaborate with numerous scientists studying the deep sea and the impacts of mining to better understand how these ecosystems function. I also attend meetings of the International Seabed Authority and other intergovernmental agencies to communicate scientific findings to decision-makers. I am committed to raising awareness about the incredible nature of the deep sea. I am passionate about the deep sea and feel privileged to work there.
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