standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

oceanographic measurements, monitoring of benthic animals, analysis of
suspended materials in the water column and meteorological information
gathering. In addition to environmental studies, their paper detailed
techniques used to estimate the tonnage of manganese nodules, and their
metal contents, in several portions of the exploration area allocated to
KORDI, including areas relinquished to ISA under the system for reserving
certain areas for future use by the Authority or developing countries.
Dr. Kim described methodologies used in biological studies, on such
topics as species composition and abundance, biomass estimates and
biological productivity, covering both zooplankton and bacteria in the water
column and larger animals (macrobenthos) on the seabed. Grazing
experiments were performed to examine the effects of suspended
sediment, by growing copepods in solutions containing varying amounts of
sediment added to the seawater. Samples were also taken for chemical
analysis of seawater and the pore water found in sediment.
Dr. Lee, speaking of geological and geophysical research, described
devices used for bathymetric surveys and underwater navigation. Like Dr.
Wiedecke-Hombach, he stressed the complexity and variety of the deep-sea
physical environment.
Commenting on the desirability of standardizing geophysical data
collection, he welcomed the idea so long as care was taken to minimise the
burden on researchers. He announced that KORDI had postponed further
environmental work until after the final relinquishment of certain areas to
the Authority in 2002.
Mr. Viatcheslav P. Melnik, major scientist of Yuzhmorgeologia
(Russian Federation), described surveys carried out, most recently in 2001,
aboard the Russian research vessel of the same name. These were a
continuation of work between 1991 and 2000 as part of the Benthic Impact
Experiment (BIE) conducted jointly by Russian and United States scientists.
The main aim of all these experiments, he reported, was to create a
large disturbance of the upper sediment layer by using a mining-simulator
device, and to investigate the ecosystem response to this disturbance
immediately and some years afterward. In addition to chemical and
physical measurements, the researchers carried out biological studies
showing that, while meiofauna seemed relatively unaffected, macrofauna
populations in the mining vehicle’s tracks were significantly reduced even
seven years after the disturbance.
INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 95