IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page
Extent of impact of deep-sea nodule mining midwater plumes is influenced by sediment loading, turbulence and thresholds
Muñoz-Royo, C.; Peacock, T.; Alford, M.H.; Smith, J.A.; Le Boyer, A.; Kulkarni, C.S.; Lermusiaux, P.F.J.; Haley, P.J.; Mirabito, C.; Wang, D.; Adams, E.E.; Ouillon, R.; Breugem, A.; Decrop, B.; Lanckriet, T.; Supekar, R.B.; Rzeznik, A.J.; Gartman, A.; Ju, S.-J. (2021). Extent of impact of deep-sea nodule mining midwater plumes is influenced by sediment loading, turbulence and thresholds. Commun. Earth Environ. 2(1): 148. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-021-00213-8
In: Communications Earth & Environment. Springer Nature: London. e-ISSN 2662-4435, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keyword
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Muñoz-Royo, C.
  • Peacock, T.
  • Alford, M.H.
  • Smith, J.A.
  • Le Boyer, A.
  • Kulkarni, C.S.
  • Lermusiaux, P.F.J.
  • Haley, P.J.
  • Mirabito, C.
  • Wang, D.
  • Adams, E.E.
  • Ouillon, R.
  • Breugem, A., more
  • Decrop, B., more
  • Lanckriet, T., more
  • Supekar, R.B.
  • Rzeznik, A.J.
  • Gartman, A.
  • Ju, S.-J.
Abstract
    Deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining research activity has substantially increased in recent years, but the expected level of environmental impact is still being established. One environmental concern is the discharge of a sediment plume into the midwater column. We performed a dedicated field study using sediment from the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone. The plume was monitored and tracked using both established and novel instrumentation, including acoustic and turbulence measurements. Our field studies reveal that modeling can reliably predict the properties of a midwater plume in the vicinity of the discharge and that sediment aggregation effects are not significant. The plume model is used to drive a numerical simulation of a commercial-scale operation in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone. Key takeaways are that the scale of impact of the plume is notably influenced by the values of environmentally acceptable threshold levels, the quantity of discharged sediment, and the turbulent diffusivity in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors