Assessing plume impacts caused by polymetallic nodule mining vehicles

Deep-sea mining may be just a few years away and yet society is struggling to assess the positive aspects, such as increasing supply of metals for battery production fuel green revolution, versus potentially large environmental impacts. Mining polymetallic (manganese) nodules from deep ocean likely first mineral resource targeted will involve direct impacts hundreds km 2 seabed per mine year. However, activity also cause generation sediment plumes that spread site have both immediate long-term effects over much wider areas. We discuss what generated near by vehicles how they might measured in challenging environments. Several different are under development around world depending on their design some create larger than others. these could compared so better engineering designs selected encourage innovation dealing with plume spread. These considerations aid International Seabed Authority (ISA) has task regulating activities sea its commitment promote Best Available Technology (BAT) Environmental Practice (BEP).