There are hundreds of mollusk species living in the deep sea and about two-thirds of them could face extinction if the plans to mine the seabed continue as planned, a new study reports. The findings already triggered reactions, with 184 mollusk species living near hydrothermal vents added to the global list of threatened species.
The seabed is home not only to a wide array of living organisms but also to vast amounts of commercially valuable minerals such as copper, nickel, and manganese. These are found in specific structures such as polymetallic nodules lying on the seafloor. Of course, a lot of people want to get their hands on them.
Countries and companies are currently discussing mining these deep-sea environments and their resources, as demand for minerals grows and supply is becoming scarcer. From smartphones to electric vehicles, practically every tech device needs minerals for its manufacture, and some people are increasingly looking to the sea to find new sources of minerals.
But the problem is that deep-sea mining can be devastating to the environment.
Several studies have found deep-sea mining would have adverse and irreversible effects on biodiversity, but only a few conservation measures have been implemented to date. Still, mining hasn’t officially started yet, as countries have to agree on an international mining code – which falls under the International Seabed Authority.
A group of researchers from the UK, the US, Germany, and Canada wanted to further...
Read Full Story: https://www.zmescience.com/science/deep-sea-mining-mollusk-species-10122021/
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