How deep-sea mining could threaten a vital ocean food source

AI Summary1 min read

TL;DR

Deep-sea mining for battery minerals could release waste that starves zooplankton in the ocean's twilight zone, disrupting food webs and affecting larger fish like tuna. Researchers urge caution, citing irreversible ecological risks and the need for more science before proceeding.

Key Takeaways

•Deep-sea mining waste in the twilight zone may replace nutritious food for zooplankton with less nutritious sediment, leading to starvation and cascading effects up the food chain.
•The study, funded by a mining company, highlights severe ecological impacts and calls for more research to avoid risks, with industry plans potentially violating international law.
•Alternatives like battery technology advances and e-waste recycling could reduce the need for deep-sea mining, supporting a sustainable green revolution.

A gloved hand touches large test tubes filled with sediment, water, and polymetallic nodules that look like dark rocks. — Nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese rest atop these core samples taken from the deep ocean floor. | Photo: Getty Images

The race to mine battery minerals from the ocean floor would create a new stream of waste that could rob sea life of a critical food source, according to new research published today in the journal Nature Communications. That could have far-reaching effects across the ocean, potentially reaching larger fish like tuna that people depend on for food and livelihoods.

The findings come as President Donald Trump attempts to circumvent international law and give companies permission to mine the deep sea commercially, which has yet to happen anywhere in the world. The first company to apply for an international mining permit from the Trump adminis …

Read the full story at The Verge.