One of the environmental concerns related to deep-sea mining is the impact of mining equipment and activities on the seafloor, which can disturb sediments and create sediment plumes (underwater «dust clouds»).
In recent years, significant efforts have been made to better understand how these plumes are generated and dispersed. This task is challenging, as it requires extensive monitoring data and sophisticated ocean models that accurately account for all the relevant physical and biogeochemical processes involved.
A prominent figure in this field is Thomas Peacock, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and co-founder and scientific advisor at atdepth MRV.
Peacock has conducted extensive research on sediment plumes, and his work emphasizes their complex behaviour, influenced by factors such as mining techniques, seafloor topography, and ocean currents. Through field studies and computational modeling, he has demonstrated that while sediment plumes often remain close to the seabed, their dispersion can vary depending on local conditions.
The professor has presented his work several times at the Deep Sea Minerals conference. In April, he will return to Bergen to give a talk on a groundbreaking computing system for continuous measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV).
MRV is crucial for evaluating the environmental impact of deep-sea nodule mining. Recent advancements in computing technology have led to the creation of a next-generation GPU-based ocean modeling system, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA.
This system enables near real-time, continuous monitoring of plumes from their inception to their final dispersion. In comparison to traditional models, it is said to operate 100 times faster and be more than 10 times more cost-effective.
Peacock will demonstrate some core capabilities of the MRV system, showcasing simulations of plumes in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean.
The new system improves the transparency and accessibility of MRV by offering high-frequency reporting that can be shared directly with stakeholders.
While most research on plumes have focused on nodule extraction on abyssal plains, the issue is also relevant for sulfide and crust mining.
Deep Sea Minerals 2025 will take place in Bergen from 1-3 April. The program and registration page can be found on the conference website.