This figure illustrates two pathways for which deep-sea mining could impact sharks, rays, and chimaeras. The first pathway describes impact on the seabed, specifically through the collector vehicle and the plume generated from the vehicle. This pathway is especially of concern for benthic, benthopelagic, and egg-laying species and poses a threat to foraging areas and nurseries. The second pathway focuses on the midwater discharge plume. This plume will likely disrupt vertical migration and behaviour, filter feeding, and bioluminescence. Also, the plume may cause respiratory distress, reuslt in the accumulation of toxic metals in upper trophic levels, and further affect trophic functioning.
Figure 1 Schematic of two potential impact pathways (direct benthic impacts and midwater impacts) of deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides, and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. The discharge plume is depicted at a depth of 1,000 m for illustrative purposes. Illustration by Molly Wells (https://www.mollywells.ca/).
Mining poses risks via 2 pathways. 1) seabed impacts from the collector vehicle, especially to #nurseries and foraging areas. 2) impacts via the midwater #dischargeplume which could disrupt vertical migration, filter feeding, bioluminescence, and cause toxic metal accumulation.
🖼️Molly Wells