Publication Date:
2018-02-23
Description:
With increasing demand for mineral resources, extraction of polymetallic sulphides at hydrothermal
vents, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts at seamounts, and polymetallic nodules on abyssal plains may
be imminent. Here, we shortly introduce ecosystem characteristics of mining areas, report on recent
mining developments, and identify potential stress and disturbances created by mining. We analyze
species’ potential resistance to future mining and perform meta-analyses on population density and
diversity recovery after disturbances most similar to mining: volcanic eruptions at vents, fisheries on
seamounts, and experiments that mimic nodule mining on abyssal plains. We report wide variation in
recovery rates among taxa, size, and mobility of fauna. While densities and diversities of some taxa can
recover to or even exceed pre-disturbance levels, community composition remains affected after decades.
The loss of hard substrata or alteration of substrata composition may cause substantial community
shifts that persist over geological timescales at mined sites.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
peerRev
,
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Format:
application/pdf
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