Eco-Safe Ridge Mining: Environmental risk studies towards sustainable seabed mineral mining on the Mid-Ocean Ridge in Norway

Goal

Eco Safe Ridge Mining is a collaborative project that aims to explore the possibility of establishing a sustainable deep-sea mining industry in Norway. The project brings together researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities to rigorously assess the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining activities.

Ultimately, we aim to develop the scientific foundation, regulatory framework, and technological innovations necessary to responsibly advance Norway’s deep-sea mining potential while safeguarding the unique and fragile ecosystems of the deep sea.

Why is it important?

The discovery of seabed mineral deposits containing valuable metals on the Norwegian continental shelf has sparked significant interest in their potential commercial exploitation. As deep-sea mining emerges as a new industry, the Norwegian government has initiated a process to explore this opportunity. However, the government has mandated that a thorough understanding of the potential environmental impacts is required before any mineral extraction can begin.

The deep sea remains one of the least explored and poorly understood regions of the planet. This lack of scientific knowledge, especially concerning marine ecosystems where these valuable mineral resources are found, poses a significant challenge to objectively assessing the risks associated with mining activities. Currently, no protective measures are in place for these ecosystems, heightening the need for an informed, cautious approach.

What do we do in the project?

Eco Safe Ridge Mining focuses on seafloor massive sulfides (SMS) along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge. These deposits are found in conjunction with vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems, such as active hydrothermal vents and sponge grounds. The project will study these SMS deposits and their environmental impacts, particularly focusing on sediment plumes and SMS tailings exposure.

NORCE is leading the work package that addresses the ecological and ecotoxicological consequences of SMS through simulated laboratory exposures. The NORCE team will generate key data to integrate ridge mining-specific features into an ecological risk framework, enabling effective ecological risk assessments for future deep-sea mining activities.

Key Research Initiatives

• Toxicity and Environmental Impact Assessment: The research will focus on assessing the environmental impact of mining activities, such as sediment plumes and SMS tailings exposure. Finely crushed SMS tailings will be prepared to simulate real-world conditions, and their effects on sediment communities, including bacteria, foraminifera, meiofauna, and macrofauna, will be studied.
• Biomarkers Analysis: Key endpoints of the study include examining the toxicity and community-level impacts of SMS particles on benthic species like marine protozans, sponges and blue mussels, using various biological markers to assess acute and sublethal toxic effects.
• Ecological Function Monitoring: The research will measure ecological functions such as microbial diversity and community metabolism under SMS exposure. A central goal is to establish threshold levels for different species, leading to a Predicted No Effect Concentration for sediment communities, which will serve as the basis for risk assessment.

Advanced Methodologies

The study employs state-of-the-art methods, including advanced spectroscopy, stable isotope techniques, molecular tools, and ecotoxicology parameters, to provide a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with deep-sea mining and its impacts on vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems.