standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

2. Environmental baseline studies
2.1. Objective and types
The objective of environmental baseline studies is to establish the
initial state of the marine environment before activities of the contractor
that have potential for causing harmful effects on this environment. The
studies are to encompass:
- Physical oceanography,
- Chemical oceanography,
- Sediment properties,
- Biological communities,
- Bioturbation,
- Sedimentation.
2.2. Physical Oceanography
- Objective: estimate the potential influence of the plume of
discharged material during mining.
- Requirement: collect information on the oceanographic conditions
along the entire water column, including the current, temperature
and turbidity regime.
- Current measurements shall be adapted to the bottom topography
and to the hydrodynamic activity in the upper water column.
- Currents and particulate matters shall be measured at the depth of
the forecast discharge of collecting systems and equipment.
- Particulate matter distribution shall also be measured along the
water column.
41 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY