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How interest in the deep sea is resurfacing

5 episodes

1

Seabed mining: a new geopolitical divide?
2

What is at stake for deep-sea mining?
3

“Marine exploration of mineral resources is more about sovereignty than economics”
4

New technologies helping to discover deep sea life
5

How scientists are studying the deep sea floor

Deep sea mining for rare earth minerals. Concept Mining Industry, Deep Sea Operations, Rare Earth Minerals, Environment Impact, Future Technology

Épisode 1/5

Seabed mining: a new geopolitical divide?

On July 3rd, 2024

8 min reading time

Emmanuel Hache

Assistant and Economist-Prospector at IFP Énergies nouvelles and Research Director at IRIS

Émilie Normand

Economist Engineer, Head of Research at IFP Énergies nouvelles

Candice Roche

Research Fellow in Geopolitics of Metals and Ecological Transition at IFPEN

Key takeaways

As metals are at the core of national concerns, new mineral deposits in the deep sea tend to catch the attention of a growing number of actors.
Coastal states have rights over resources located in their exclusive economic zones; beyond that, the sea is a common zone where the status of mining remains to be defined.
Yet it is a zone rich in resources, particularly sulphide clusters, cobalt-rich crusts and polymetallic nodules.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is negotiating a regulatory framework for the exploitation of deep-sea resources.
These negotiations are giving rise to a new geopolitical sphere where traditional states alliances are questioned, and companies play an increasingly influential role.

Épisode 2/5

What is at stake for deep-sea mining?

Anaïs Marechal, science journalist

On June 8th, 2022

4 min reading time

Florian Besson

Geological Engineer at Ifremer

Key takeaways

The deep sea begins, scientifically, around 2,000m deep and represents nearly 56% of the oceans. But is in geopolitical terms, it is anything over 200m.
We know more about the surface of the Moon than we do about the bottom of our oceans. The best existing global bathymetric map has a resolution of about 500 metres, compared to 1.5 metres on the Moon.
The deep seabed is attractive because of the resources it possesses. However, the framework for mining these seabeds is unclear and regulations must be in place before any exploitation can begin.
France has recently adopted a military strategy to control the seabed, in particular to protect the many underwater communication cables and the resources and biodiversity.

Épisode 3/5

“Marine exploration of mineral resources is more about sovereignty than economics”

Anaïs Marechal, science journalist

On June 8th, 2022

4 min reading time

Ewan Pelleter

Researcher in Marine Geosciences at Ifremer

Key takeaways

The seabed contains very interesting geological resources contained in three strata: polymetallic nodules, crusts, and sulphide clusters.
This concern for marine mining began in 2001 with the first exploration contracts and then with the increase in metal prices.
Estimates around the geological value of the seabed are uncertain but the Clarion- Clipperton zone could contain up to 340 million tonnes of nickel and 275 million tonnes of copper.
Many grey areas remain, however. Like the ecological footprint of such exploitation, which remains unknown and could be dramatic.

Épisode 4/5

New technologies helping to discover deep sea life

Anaïs Marechal, science journalist

On June 8th, 2022

4 min reading time

Lénaick Menot

Researcher in the Deep Environment Laboratory at Ifremer

Key takeaways

The abyssal plains lie some 5,000 kilometres from the surface and are extreme environments where no light penetrates and therefore difficult to explore.
However, new technologies are making more things possible. Since 2020, France has had one of the four AUVs in the world capable of diving to a depth of 6,000 metres.
Seabed observatories also exist to provide a maximum of information to researchers.
There are both autonomous and cabled ones.
The aim today is to learn more about the underwater fauna and flora. In the samples taken from the abyssal plains, 90% of the species found are unknown.

Épisode 5/5

How scientists are studying the deep sea floor

On December 10th, 2024

5 min reading time

Laurent Mortier

Professor at ENSTA (IP Paris)

Key takeaways

Against a backdrop of climate and biodiversity crises, ocean observation is of vital importance today.
Autonomous systems have revolutionised observation of the marine environment, thanks to their low cost and the use of miniaturised scientific sensors at depths of almost 6,000 metres.
Research projects are developing high-performance autonomous systems (GROOM II) or seeking to integrate marine data into climate forecasting models (AMRIT).
Initiatives to map high-resolution ocean currents from space could make a digital twin of the Earth possible.
The European Commission’s “Ocean Observation - Sharing Responsibility” project, if adopted, could oblige EU Member States to carry out operational observation of the ocean, particularly its carbon absorption capacity

Contributors

Anaïs Marechal

science journalist

Anaïs Marechal has a PhD in Geoscience. She first became interested in earthquakes, which she studied in research laboratories and in the field for several years. In 2017, she decided to train in science journalism at ESJ Lille. Since then, she has been working as a freelance journalist for various general, specialised and professional print media where she covers climate, health and new technologies.