MiningImpact2 – Environmental Impacts and Risks of Deep-Sea Mining (JPI-Oceans, 2018-2022)
MiningImpact2 (MI2) ( https://miningimpact.geomar.de/home ) follows up on the results of the JPI Oceans pilot action on “Ecological Aspects of Deep-Sea Mining” which ended in December 2017. While the initial MiningImpact phase investigated experimental and rather small-scale disturbances of the seafloor over decadal timescales, the MI2 will independently study and comprehensively monitor in real time the environmental impact of an industrial trial to mine manganese nodules on the seafloor which will be conducted simultaneously and independently by the Belgian contractor DEME-GSR in the Belgian an German licence areas in the Clarion-Clipperton-Zone (Pacific Ocean).
Annual Meeting of MiningImpact2, Aveiro, 21-23 October 2019
After the three and a half months aboard the RV SONNE at the beginning of this year, the community comes together again to discuss first results of the oceanographic cruise and the next steps in terms of data processing and field work. Among various ecological aspects, MI2 team intends to further study regional connectivity of species in the deep-sea and their resilience to impacts, as well as the integrated effects of deep seabed mining on ecosystem functions, such as the benthic food-web and biogeochemical processes.
This first annual meeting of the MI2 community will take place at the University of Aveiro (Sala de Atos, Rectory Building) from 21 to 23 October 2019. It gathers ca. 60 participants from 20 European partner institutions, science policy and environmental agencies, research and innovation promoters as well as several recognized NGOs that aim the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems at European and international levels.
Local Organizers: Marina R Cunha (marina.cunha@ua.pt ) e Clara F Rodrigues (clara.rodrigues@ua.pt )
