Chapter 1: The Secrets Beneath

Have you ever wondered what mysteries lie at the ocean's depths? For those who aren't constantly anxious or burdened by despair, the thought of the ocean floor may rarely cross their mind. Contrary to the common belief that the seabed is merely a flat, sandy expanse, it is actually a complex and ever-changing landscape. Towering mountains rise from the ocean's depths, and deep canyons carve through the terrain. Thermal springs release hot water into cracks in the earth, and thick, salty brine cascades down underwater slopes, forming lakes on the ocean floor.

This intricate topography is rich in minerals akin to those found on land. Scientists have been cataloging these deposits since 1868, when a dredging expedition recovered iron ore from the ocean floor north of Russia. By 1873, similar discoveries had been made in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Over the past century, oceanographers have identified a wealth of minerals, including copper, nickel, silver, gold, and even gemstones, while mining companies have sought methods to extract them effectively.

Many of the world's leading mineral corporations are now launching underwater mining initiatives. For instance, on Africa's western coast, the De Beers Group employs specialized vessels to scour the seabed for diamonds. In 2018, these ships extracted 1.4 million carats from Namibia's coastal waters, and a new vessel commissioned in 2019 is set to double extraction rates. Meanwhile, Nautilus Minerals is targeting underwater hot springs rich in precious metals off Papua New Guinea, while Japan and South Korea are pursuing their own offshore mineral projects. Yet, the ultimate prize remains international waters, which encompass over half of the earth's seafloor, harboring more valuable minerals than all landmasses combined.

Despite the growing interest in ocean mining, regulations are still in their infancy. The United Nations has entrusted this responsibility to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a little-known organization based in Jamaica. Unlike most UN agencies, the ISA operates with minimal oversight and is led by its own secretary general, who convenes a general assembly annually. Delegates from 168 member states gather to discuss not how to prevent ocean mining, but how to manage its environmental impact by designating extraction zones and issuing licenses to mining companies.

The creation of a formal Mining Code has proven challenging. As ISA members debate the finer points of waste management and ecological preservation, around 30 mineral contractors have already been awarded permits to explore vast areas of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Notably, one site, roughly 2,300 miles east of Florida, contains the largest known system of hydrothermal vents, dubbed the "Lost City." Another site spans 4,500 miles across the Pacific. As these companies prepare for extraction, they have raised significant venture capital and built experimental vehicles to test dredging techniques while awaiting the finalization of the Mining Code.

Mining corporations aspire to access the seabed beneath international waters, which are believed to hold more valuable minerals than all continents combined. At peak operation, these companies anticipate dredging thousands of square miles annually. Their machinery will methodically scrape the uppermost layers of the ocean floor, sucking up sediment and metallic objects known as polymetallic nodules. While some of this sediment will contain toxic substances like mercury and lead, potentially contaminating marine ecosystems, the full extent of the ecological impact remains uncertain.

A study by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences estimated that each mining vessel could discharge around 2 million cubic feet of waste daily, enough to fill a freight train stretching 16 miles. This was considered a conservative estimate, with other projections being three times higher. The authors concluded that vast areas would be covered in sediment, severely impacting numerous marine species and habitats.

At the ISA's 2019 assembly, delegates gathered to review a draft of the Mining Code, with hopes for its ratification in 2020. I traveled to Kingston to observe the proceedings and was struck by the bustling atmosphere. I met with the secretary general, Michael Lodge, who discussed the intricacies of the Mining Code and the massive implications of the UN's decision to facilitate unprecedented underwater mining.

Until recently, marine biologists largely overlooked the deep sea, believing it to be a lifeless expanse. The prevailing view of terrestrial life depended on photosynthesis, where plants harness sunlight to produce biomass. However, this notion was challenged in 1977 when oceanographers discovered a hydrothermal vent near the Galápagos Islands, revealing a thriving ecosystem of giant clams, octopuses, and tube worms, sustained not by sunlight but by the organic chemicals present in the vent's warm waters.

This groundbreaking discovery prompted a reevaluation of life's potential in extreme environments, leading scientists to explore the depths of the ocean for undiscovered species. As Timothy Shank, an evolutionary biologist, noted, the findings changed our understanding of life's boundaries and hinted at the possibility of life existing in the harsh conditions of other planetary bodies.

Scientists categorize the ocean into distinct layers based on depth, from the sunlit zone to the abyssal and hadal zones, which extend beyond 20,000 feet below sea level. The hadal zone is particularly challenging to explore and is characterized by extreme pressure and darkness. Despite its depth, the hadal zone is believed to host valuable polymetallic nodules, which are easier to extract than other seabed materials.

The ISA has issued more licenses for nodule mining than for any other seabed resource. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast area between Hawaii and Mexico, is a primary target for these mining endeavors. Yet, the environmental consequences of mining in this delicate ecosystem remain largely unknown. The sediment plumes generated by mining activities could impact marine life across vast distances, complicating the already uncertain predictions of ecological harm.

As companies prepare to exploit the CCZ, scientists like Timothy Shank have focused on understanding the hadal ecosystem. However, they grapple with the challenges of studying such extreme depths, where pressure and darkness hinder exploration.

The first video titled "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea | FULL MOVIE | 1997 | Action, Adventure" showcases the depths of ocean exploration and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. It serves as a reminder of the unknown wonders and dangers that await in the deep sea.

Chapter 2: Navigating the Unknown

As mining companies express optimism about their operations, the reality of deep-sea exploration presents a stark contrast. Deep-sea vehicles, designed to withstand extreme pressure, are incredibly complex and expensive. Despite recent advances in technology, the ocean's depths remain largely uncharted, with 85% of the seafloor still unmapped. The challenges of building a submersible capable of reaching the deepest trenches are immense, requiring engineering feats comparable to those needed for space exploration.

In 1960, two individuals became the first to descend into the Mariana Trench, but it took another 50 years before filmmaker James Cameron made a similar journey, facing numerous technical challenges along the way. Most recently, Victor Vescovo successfully completed a series of dives into the Mariana Trench but emphasized the ongoing difficulties of exploring this inhospitable environment.

Even with advanced technology, studying the depths of the ocean remains a formidable task. Shank's ambitious plans to survey every ocean trench faced setbacks, exemplifying the inherent difficulties of conducting research in such extreme conditions.

The second video titled "Abandoned - Disney World's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" explores the legacy of underwater adventures and the fascination humans have with oceanic depths. It reflects on the allure and mystery of the underwater world that continues to captivate our imagination.

Chapter 3: The Impact of Human Activity

While researchers strive to uncover the secrets of the deep, human activities have already begun to impact these ecosystems. Overfishing, oil spills, and pollution have wreaked havoc on marine environments, prompting shifts in fish populations and the degradation of habitats.

The relentless pursuit of species like cod has led to the exploitation of deeper waters, while oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez disaster and the Deepwater Horizon explosion have highlighted the dangers of offshore drilling. Recent findings reveal that plastics have infiltrated even the deepest ocean trenches, posing a significant threat to marine life.

As scientists begin to comprehend the implications of plastic pollution, they uncover shocking truths about its effects on aquatic ecosystems. The discovery of large amounts of plastic in the hadal zone serves as a stark reminder of the human footprint on even the most remote corners of the planet.

Chapter 4: The Future of Ocean Exploration

The dialogue surrounding ocean mining raises important questions about the ethical implications of exploiting these largely unknown ecosystems. While some argue for the necessity of seabed mining in the face of climate change, others emphasize the need for thorough exploration and understanding before any extraction occurs.

The potential benefits of discovering new species and harnessing marine microbes for medicine and carbon capture highlight the importance of prioritizing scientific inquiry over immediate economic gain. The future of ocean exploration lies not only in uncovering the treasures of the deep but also in safeguarding the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.

As we navigate the complexities of ocean mining, it is crucial to balance the urgent need for resources with the responsibility to protect our oceans for future generations. The depths of the sea may hold secrets that can enhance our understanding of life itself, if only we can approach them with the caution and respect they deserve.