Assessing the impacts of seabed mineral extraction in the deep sea and coastal marine environments: Current methods and recommendations for environmental risk assessment. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaikkonen, Laura; Venesjärvi, Riikka; Nygård, Henrik; Kuikka, Sakari
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 135(2018)
• Page Start: 1183
• Page End: 1197
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Ecological impact assessment -- Polymetallic nodules -- Marine resource governance -- Environmental risk assessment -- Seabed mining -- DAPSI(W)R(M) framework; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Mineral extraction from the seabed has experienced a recent surge of interest from both the mining industry and marine scientists. While improved methods of geological investigation have enabled the mapping of new seafloor mineral reserves, the ecological impacts of mining in both the deep sea and the shallow seabed are poorly known. This paper presents a synthesis of the empirical evidence from experimental seabed mining and parallel industries to infer the effects of seabed mineral extraction on marine ecosystems, focusing on polymetallic nodules and ferromanganese concretions. We use a problem-structuring framework to evaluate causal relationships between pressures caused by nodule extraction and the associated changes in marine ecosystems. To ensure that the rationale behind impact assessments is clear, we propose that future impact assessments use pressure-specific expert elicitation. We further discuss integrating ecosystem services in the impact assessments and the implications of current methods for environmental risk assessments. Graphical abstract: Highlights: We use a causal approach to review the environmental impacts of seabed mining. Impacts are approached through specific pressures and responses in the ecosystems. We recommend integrating ecosystem services into the impacts assessment. Constructing impact statements through causal chains improves their integrity.