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standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

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3.2.3. Potential upper-water-column impacts<br />

If tailings consisting <strong>of</strong> sediments (including clay) <strong>and</strong> effluent are<br />

discharged in near-surface waters, there are impacts additional to those<br />

listed in subsection 3.2.2 above, such as:<br />

a. The potential for trace-metal bioaccumulation in surface waters due<br />

to discharges from the test-mining ship;<br />

b. Reduction in primary productivity due to shading <strong>of</strong> phytoplankton<br />

by the surface discharges;<br />

c. Effects on phytoplankton from trace metals in the surface<br />

discharge;<br />

d. Effects on behaviour <strong>of</strong> marine mammals caused by the mining<br />

operation; <strong>and</strong><br />

e. Persistence <strong>of</strong> tailing suspension, especially with at-sea processing.<br />

3.3. Levels for collection <strong>of</strong> <strong>environmental</strong> <strong>data</strong><br />

A contractor who wishes to mine the deposits will be required to<br />

have a complete <strong>data</strong>base <strong>of</strong> environment-related <strong>information</strong> not only for<br />

monitoring the impact but also for the operation <strong>of</strong> the mining system, at<br />

the following levels:<br />

3.3.1. Surface <strong>and</strong> atmosphere<br />

The behaviour <strong>of</strong> the mining platform will depend upon the<br />

meteorological <strong>and</strong> sea-surface conditions, such as wind speed <strong>and</strong><br />

direction, pressure, temperature, rainfall, storms, cyclones, wave height,<br />

current speed <strong>and</strong> direction, <strong>and</strong> various other parameters. The operational<br />

capability <strong>of</strong> such a platform must be designed to optimize the<br />

output/performance <strong>of</strong> the subsurface mining activity. Surface conditions<br />

will also determine the number <strong>of</strong> working days per year, from season to<br />

season <strong>and</strong> in different months. This will also affect ore transfer to the<br />

shore.<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 477

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