One key approach is eDNA metabarcoding, an extremely powerful method for describing the biodiversity of entire communities.
– This approach will help close knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of ecosystem processes on the seafloor, says senior researcher Miriam Brandt at NORCE.
Brandt, an eDNA expert, gave her presentation at the final conference of the EMINENT Green Platform project in Bergen on December 9. This project has aimed to establish the basis for an integrated value chain for deep-sea minerals with a much smaller environmental footprint than current mining operations.
A pilot study conducted by Brandt using eDNA metabarcoding during the DeepInsight23 cruise, highlights the need for more structured and national sampling schemes.
To build an effective deep-sea monitoring program, Brandt says one needs to combine three key elements:
1. Environmental DNA for sediment and water biodiversity.
2. Machine-learning-assisted video analysis for studying epibenthic megafauna.
3. Integrative taxonomy to validate and improve data accuracy.
– This combination will enable consistent sampling across time and space, providing the spatial coverage needed to understand biodiversity patterns, species connectivity, and endemicity to specific habitats. Such knowledge is essential for assessing the risks of biodiversity loss from human activities, Brandt says.
And, not least: Using these methods together in a harmonised way will allow researchers to refine them for the Arctic mid-ocean ridge and build the knowledge needed to understand deep-sea ecosystems.
– Importantly, the technology already exists. There is no technological bottleneck, Brandt underscores.
Areas in the Barents Sea and Greenland Sea may be used for mining to extract minerals, but this is currently on hold by Norwegian politicians. Commercial extraction could earliest take place sometime after 2029.
The EMINENT Green Platform project has developed and demonstrated technology and methodology within environmental monitoring, resource exploration, production, and mineral processing. Green Platform is a program supported by the Research Council of Norway, SIVA, and Innovation Norway.
The EMINENT project includes the following partners: University of Bergen (UiB), Future Materials – Norwegian Catapult Centre, NORCE, UiT Norges arktiske universitet, NTNU, Akvaplan-niva, Aker BP ASA, Aanderaa Data Instruments AS (a Xylem brand), DeepOcean, NOV, Shearwater GeoServices, Seabed Solutions, Geoprovider, ReSiTec AS, GCE Ocean Technology, and ADEPTH Minerals.
eDNA metabarcoding study highlights the need for national sampling schemes
Senior researcher Miriam Brandt, an eDNA expert, gave her presentation at the final conference of the EMINENT Green Platform project in Bergen. (Photo: Andreas R. Graven)
Environmental DNA is a powerful tool for investigating the risks of biodiversity loss from deep-sea human activities, such as mining on the seafloor. Now the real challenge lies in the sampling effort.
