2026-09-25 11:28 UTC
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The Goal of the SMARTEX
MissionScientists estimate that more than 90% of the species living in the CCZ are completely unknown to science. The SMARTEX team was tasked with mapping this unknown biodiversity and assessing how mining would impact it before full-scale commercial extraction begins. Using advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)—like the underwater robot Isis—the team descended 5 kilometers down to conduct surveys:
#SMARTEX
#CCZ
#biodiversity
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@appassionato@mastodon.social 2026-09-25 11:29
5/ Cataloging Life: Documenting the weird and delicate fauna (like glass sponges that can live for thousands of years, sea anemones, and deep-sea sea pigs like Amperima, nicknamed "Barbie Pig") before industrial activity disturbs them. Measuring Plume Impacts: Studying how underwater mining vehicles kick up heavy plumes of sediment that drift over hundreds of miles, potentially choking soft-bodied filter feeders. #SMARTEX #CCZ #biodiversity