Deep-Sea Exploration: Deep Ocean Mission, Critical Minerals & Ecology

Subject: GS 03: Environment

Context: India is expanding its deep-sea exploration capabilities under the Deep Ocean Mission, raising questions about balancing technological and strategic interests with the protection of fragile deep-sea ecosystems. 

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About Deep-sea exploration

• Deep-sea exploration is the scientific study of the deep ocean to understand its geology, minerals, ecosystems, biodiversity, and physical conditions, often using submersibles, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and other advanced technologies.

About Deep Sea Mission

• The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is a Government of India mission aimed at developing deep-sea technologies, exploring marine resources, and strengthening India’s capabilities in the deep ocean. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) 

Why Deep-Sea Mining Matters?

• Critical Minerals: Provides access to nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese essential for clean energy and advanced technologies.
• Resource Security: Reduces dependence on imports and strengthens strategic mineral security.
• Blue Economy: Supports the growth of the marine-based economy and related industries.
• Future Resource Base: Offers potential access to mineral resources as demand for critical minerals rises.
• Strategic Significance: Enhances India’s deep-sea technological and scientific capabilities.

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India’s Deep-Sea Footprint

• ISA Exploration Contracts: India holds three International Seabed Authority (ISA) exploration contracts covering about 95,000 sq km in the international seabed area.
• Polymetallic Nodule Resources: Exploration has identified an estimated 366 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules containing nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese.
• Deep Ocean Mission: India is developing deep-sea mining technology, underwater robotics, and the MATSYA-6000 human submersible as part of the mission.
• Deep-Sea Mining Trials: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has tested a mining machine at depths of around 5,270 meters.
• Deep-Sea Biodiversity Surveys: Surveys across 19 seamounts have studied around 1,300 deep-sea organisms, including nearly 23 species reported as new to science.

Key Environmental Concerns

• Poorly understood ecosystems: Deep-sea ecosystems remain inadequately studied, making the long-term consequences of large-scale seabed disturbance uncertain.
• Seabed disturbance: Mining can physically alter the seabed and potentially damage deep-sea habitats.
• Biodiversity loss: Newly discovered species highlight the ecological value of these ecosystems.
• Irreversible impacts: Some ecological damage may be difficult or impossible to reverse.
• Resource-extraction dilemma: Strategic importance of minerals should not automatically justify ecological exploitation.

Way Forward

• Precautionary Approach: Undertake greater scientific research and environmental assessment before potentially irreversible intervention.
• High Ecological Threshold: Establish stringent environmental conditions before any future decision on exploitation.
• Strengthen Environmental Baselines: Continue biodiversity surveys and ecosystem studies to improve understanding of deep-sea environments.
• Separate Exploration from Exploitation: Continue scientific and technological development without treating exploration as an automatic pathway to commercial mining.
• Promote Circularity: Prioritize lower demand, resource efficiency, recycling and substitution.
• Mission LiFE: Align resource consumption with sustainable lifestyles and reduced dependence on extraction.

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News Source: The Hindu

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