Long-term impact and biological recovery in a deep-sea mining track

Daniel O. B. Jones (), Maria Belen Arias, Loïc Van Audenhaege, Sabena Blackbird, Corie Boolukos, Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras, Jonathan T. Copley, Andrew Dale, Susan Evans, Bethany F. M. Fleming, Andrew R. Gates, Hannah Grant, Mark G. J. Hartl, Veerle A. I. Huvenne, Rachel M. Jeffreys, Pierre Josso, Lucas D. King, Erik Simon-Lledó, Tim Le Bas, Louisa Norman, Bryan O’Malley, Thomas Peacock, Tracy Shimmield, Eva C. D. Stewart, Andrew K. Sweetman, Catherine Wardell, Dmitry Aleynik and Adrian G. Glover
Additional contact information
Daniel O. B. Jones: European Way
Maria Belen Arias: South Kensington
Loïc Van Audenhaege: European Way
Sabena Blackbird: University of Liverpool
Corie Boolukos: South Kensington
Guadalupe Bribiesca-Contreras: European Way
Jonathan T. Copley: European Way
Andrew Dale: Scottish Association for Marine Science
Susan Evans: European Way
Bethany F. M. Fleming: European Way
Andrew R. Gates: European Way
Hannah Grant: Research Avenue South
Mark G. J. Hartl: Riccarton
Veerle A. I. Huvenne: European Way
Rachel M. Jeffreys: University of Liverpool
Pierre Josso: Research Avenue South
Lucas D. King: South Kensington
Erik Simon-Lledó: European Way
Tim Le Bas: European Way
Louisa Norman: University of Liverpool
Bryan O’Malley: Eckerd College
Thomas Peacock: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tracy Shimmield: Research Avenue South
Eva C. D. Stewart: South Kensington
Andrew K. Sweetman: Scottish Association for Marine Science
Catherine Wardell: European Way
Dmitry Aleynik: Scottish Association for Marine Science
Adrian G. Glover: South Kensington

Nature, 2025, vol. 642, issue 8066, 112-118

Abstract: Abstract Deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining is in the exploration phase at present with some groups proposing a move towards extraction within years1. Management of this industry requires evidence of the long-term effects on deep-sea ecosystems2, but the ability of seafloor ecosystems to recover from impacts over decadal scales is poorly understood3. Here we show that, four decades after a test mining experiment that removed nodules, the biological impacts in many groups of organisms are persistent, although populations of several organisms, including sediment macrofauna, mobile deposit feeders and even large-sized sessile fauna, have begun to re-establish despite persistent physical changes at the seafloor. We also reveal that areas affected by plumes from this small-scale test have limited detectable residual sedimentation impacts with some biological assemblages similar in abundance compared to control areas after 44 years. Although some aspects of the modern collector design may cause reduced physical impact compared to this test mining experiment, our results show that mining impacts in the abyssal ocean will be persistent over at least decadal timeframes and communities will remain altered in directly disturbed areas, despite some recolonization. The long-term effects seen in our study provide critical data for effective management of mining activities, if they occur, including minimizing direct impacts and setting aside an effective network of protected areas4,5.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08921-3

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