2021 / DEEP SEA MINING
The deep sea — a fascinating realm surrounded by mystery. We know more about the surface of Mars than the depths of our own ocean. Yet, the deep ocean plays a crucial role, absorbing over 90% of the Earth's accumulating heat.
Despite our limited understanding, grand plans are underway to exploit it on an unprecedented scale. A burgeoning mining industry promises immense profits, yet the potential consequences of its destruction remain largely incomprehensible.
At least, not yet.
Since the discovery of precious metal deposits, there has been a keen interest in large-scale mining operations. The graphic illustrates what these operations are likely to entail.
Enormous machinery operates at depths between 2500 and 6500 meters on the ocean floor. Functioning similarly to vacuum cleaners, they extract metals known as "polymetallic nodules" along with the surrounding material up to a depth of 15 centimeters. A vessel is connected to a lengthy pipe that transports the extracted metals to the surface, where they are separated from unwanted sediment. The remaining sediment is then pumped back into the ocean, creating expansive clouds of uncontrolled sediment known as "plumes" that can extend over several kilometers, greatly affecting the surrounding ecosystem.
The installation represents the intricate connection between this ecosystem and our atmosphere's climate. It visualizes the potential disruption of the deep sea's cooling function due to planned mining operations. The various components highlight the interconnectedness of different aspects, illustrating their interrelation.
Here's a quick overview: Greenhouse gases are causing our climate to heat up. The deep sea plays a crucial role in cooling it down, but large-scale mining operations could disrupt this balance. If the ecosystem's cooling function is lost, our climate would gradually, yet steadily, warm up, accelerating the process of climate change.
This industry encompasses many different aspects, offering significant potential while also presenting considerable risks. Crucially, we now have the opportunity and responsibility to plan and deliberate carefully on how to approach this topic. For the first time in history, we can thoughtfully prepare rather than rush in and face consequences later.
Each object in the installation represents a different aspect of deep sea mining research. The shapes of these objects correspond to the summary next to them.
Inspired by the concept of a totem pole, the objects are meant to be stacked according to priority, beginning with what you consider most crucial. The remaining objects can be stacked on top, ending with what you deem the least important topic.
The goal is to gain insight into public perceptions of the topic and how it should be approached. Which aspects should receive the most attention? What impacts might it have? Is mining these metals worth the potential consequences?
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
We do not yet understand how the ecosystem of the deep sea works and cannot comprehend the affect of changes to its environment, let alone the possible consequences of disrupting it. What is certain though, is that extracting metals means destroying vast areas of the sea floor including its flora and fauna. Some of the planned mining areas even reaching the width of Europe.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
We only know of a fraction of the oceans and even less about the deep sea. More than 85% of it is still unknown. There are great opportunities to be explored and much we can learn about this unique ecosystem that we know so little about. On almost every dive into the depths of the ocean, new species are being discovered. The conditions seem hostile and yet there is an abundance of life and a variety of organisms. They are able to live without any sun light, in an environment with a pressure equivalent to over 60 stacked aeroplanes.
So many unsolved questions and things we cannot explain. Not yet at least. Scientists even believe that it could give hints about the origin of life on this planet.
ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
The mining industry has great commercial potential that could contribute to economy. It requires special machinery that needs to be build, delivered and operated. The list of jobs connected to the mining and metal industry does not stop there. There are thousands of professions linked to the sector. From an operator of a mining vessel to a mechanic installing solar panels on city rooftops.
GREEN ENERGY
These “polymetallic nodules” are the objective of a new mining industry. The round, fist sized stones contain precious metals like manganese, nickel, copper and cobalt. Metals needed to build batteries, wires, solar panels and many other technologies.
There are millions of tonnes that could potentially be extracted from the deep sea. The biggest deposits ever to be mined in the history of human kind. It would ensure enough raw materials for expanding the “Green Energies”.
ENVIRONEMENTAL RECOVERY
Once deep sea mining has started, land mining sites could potentially be slowed down or even shut down completely, due to the vast amount of metals extracted from the deep sea. It could take off some pressure from the already over exhausted land mines and their surrounding environment and communities.
MEDICAL USE
Scientists have found pharmaceutical properties in different kinds of deep sea sponges. They prove to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antimalarial, antitumor, immunosuppressive and cardiovascular activity. With further research and testing they could potentially be used for drugs that might be effective against HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and many others.
There is a huge potential for extensive medical research and the development of groundbreaking medicine. Would this interfere with the mining industry or could they work together?