Deep-sea mining risks disrupting the marine food web, study warns – AP News

Report on the Environmental Impacts of Deep-Sea Mining and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent study highlights the significant environmental risks associated with deep-sea mineral extraction, posing a direct threat to the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). The research underscores the potential for irreversible damage to marine ecosystems, which could compromise global food security and ocean health.

Analysis of Research Findings

Research conducted by the University of Hawaii and published in Nature Communications examined the consequences of discharging waste from deep-sea mining operations into the ocean’s mid-water, or “twilight zone.”

Impact on Marine Food Webs and SDG 14

The study’s primary finding is that sediment plumes from mining activities severely disrupt the foundational layers of the marine food web, directly contravening the objectives of SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use marine resources.

• Mining waste, comprised of sediment and fine particles, is discharged back into the ocean, creating a murky plume.
• Zooplankton, which form the base of the marine food web, mistake these non-nutritious particles for their natural food source.
• Ingestion of this “junk food” leads to malnourishment in zooplankton, affecting an estimated half of the population in the impacted area.
• This disruption cascades up the food chain, impacting micronekton and ultimately larger, commercially important fish species that feed in these zones.

Threats to Food Security and SDG 2

The degradation of the marine food web presents a tangible threat to global fisheries, undermining progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and the economic stability of communities reliant on fishing, which relates to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

1. Commercially vital fish species such as tuna and mahi-mahi depend on the organisms in the deep and mid-water zones for food.
2. A collapse or significant reduction in the food source at depth could lead to a decline in the populations of these surface fish.
3. This potential decline directly impacts the global food supply and the livelihoods of those employed in the fishing industry.

Deep-Sea Mining in the Context of Global Sustainability

The drive for deep-sea mining is fueled by the increasing demand for critical minerals used in renewable energy technologies and electronics, creating a complex conflict between different sustainable development priorities.

The Paradox of Resource Extraction and Climate Action

While the minerals are sought to support SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the energy transition, the extraction method poses a severe threat to other core goals.

• Environmental groups note that in addition to ecosystem disruption, mining activities can disturb sequestered carbon on the ocean floor, potentially releasing it into the atmosphere and exacerbating climate change.
• This creates a scenario where actions intended to mitigate climate change could inadvertently cause serious harm to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, undermining the holistic vision of the 2030 Agenda.

The Imperative for SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The report highlights the need for alternative solutions that align with SDG 12, which calls for sustainable consumption and production patterns.

• Experts suggest that a focus on a circular economy could reduce the need for deep-sea extraction.
• Key strategies include:
  1. Recycling minerals from used batteries and electronics.
  2. Developing innovative methods to recover metals from existing mining waste and tailings.

Governance and Policy Recommendations

The International Seabed Authority has already granted exploration contracts, making robust, science-based governance essential to prevent irreversible environmental damage. The findings call for a precautionary approach to managing this emerging industry.

Strengthening Governance for Ocean Protection

Further research is required to inform any decisions regarding the future of deep-sea mining. Experts caution that without a comprehensive understanding of the long-term, cumulative impacts, proceeding with commercial operations would be inconsistent with global commitments to protect marine life.

Conclusion

The potential for widespread and lasting harm to marine ecosystems from deep-sea mining presents a critical challenge to the international community’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The activity risks undermining SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) for economic gains that could potentially be met through more sustainable means aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). A failure to prevent this damage could result in species extinction, food web collapse, and compromised ocean function.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article’s central theme is the impact of deep-sea mining on marine ecosystems. It directly discusses the consequences for “the tiny animals at the core of the vast marine food web,” which is a core concern of SDG 14. The entire study focuses on the health of the ocean in the “twilight zone” of the Pacific.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article establishes a clear link between the health of marine ecosystems and human food security. It states that the disruption of the marine food web could “ultimately affect fisheries and the food we find on our plates,” specifically mentioning commercially important fish like “mahi mahi or tuna.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article highlights the drivers of deep-sea mining, which include a “rising demand for these minerals in electric vehicles and other parts of the energy transition.” It also presents an alternative to new extraction by noting “alternative sources of metals, including recycling batteries and electronics,” which directly relates to sustainable consumption and production patterns.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• A direct connection to climate change is made when the article mentions that environmental groups are concerned about “the disturbance of planet-warming carbon dioxide that is currently sequestered in the ocean and on its floor.” This identifies deep-sea mining as a potential new threat to climate stability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. The article discusses how mining operations “release excess sea water, ocean floor dirt and sediment back into the ocean. That creates a murky plume of particles,” which is a form of marine pollution that this target aims to reduce.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The study’s entire purpose is to understand the “immense consequences” and “negative environmental impacts from deep-sea mining” to prevent the collapse of the food web and avoid significant adverse impacts on the deep-sea ecosystem.
3. Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and destructive fishing practices. While not about fishing practices directly, the article warns that the impacts of mining could lead to a collapse of the food web that supports “commercially important fish such as mahi mahi or tuna.” This would undermine efforts to maintain sustainable fish stocks.
4. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… to improve ocean health. The article emphasizes the need for more scientific understanding, quoting a researcher who says, “There’s a lot more research that needs to be done to be able to make an informed decision about how to manage this industry.” The study itself is an example of increasing scientific knowledge.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems… which help maintain ecosystems. The article’s warning that deep-sea mining could “affect fisheries” directly relates to the sustainability of a major food production system that relies on healthy marine ecosystems.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

1. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article discusses the extraction of “critical minerals including copper, iron, zinc and more” and contrasts it with “alternative sources of metals, including recycling batteries and electronics,” highlighting the tension between new extraction and more sustainable management of resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 14

• Implied Indicator for Target 14.1: The concentration and spread of the “murky plume of particles” from mining waste could be measured to assess marine pollution levels.
• Implied Indicator for Target 14.2: The health and population density of zooplankton and micronekton in the “twilight zone.” The article notes that the waste plume could affect “a little more than half of the zooplankton in the ocean,” providing a baseline for measurement.
• Implied Indicator for Target 14.4: The stock levels of commercially important fish like “mahi mahi or tuna” in regions affected by deep-sea mining activities.

Indicators for SDG 2

• Implied Indicator for Target 2.4: The stability and yield of commercial fisheries that are linked to the deep-sea food web. A decline in these fisheries following mining operations would indicate a failure to maintain a sustainable food production system.

Indicators for SDG 12

• Implied Indicator for Target 12.2: The ratio of critical minerals sourced from recycling versus those sourced from new deep-sea mining operations. The article suggests recycling as an alternative, implying this is a key metric.

Indicators for SDG 13

• Implied Indicator: The amount of “planet-warming carbon dioxide” released from the ocean floor due to disturbances from mining activities. This could be measured to assess the climate impact.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: apnews.com