2026-09-25 11:27 UTC
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These nodules are incredibly rich in valuable metals:
Nickel
Cobalt
Copper
Manganese
Because these metals are key components in electric vehicle batteries and green energy technology, deep-sea mining companies are eager to strip-mine the CCZ seafloor to harvest them
However, the nodules are the habitat. In an environment made almost entirely of fine, soft mud, these hard rocks are the only surfaces available for corals, sponges, and smaller organisms to anchor themselves
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@appassionato@mastodon.social 2026-09-25 11:28
4/ 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