Deep-Sea Mining and the Water Column: An Introduction

Deep-sea mineral resources within and beyond the national jurisdictions offer several opportunities for exploration and possible exploitation owing to their potential as alternate sources of metals such as Cu, Ni, Co, rare earths and others. These are considered critical for meeting mankind’s green energy requirements, among others, especially in view of depleting or low-grade terrestrial resources. This chapter gives an overview of the current status of deep-sea mining, its potential impacts, including on the water column, and the possible mitigation measures and regulations for the same.