Threatened by mining, polymetallic nodules are required to preserve abyssal epifauna
Threatened by mining, polymetallic nodules are required to preserve abyssal epifauna
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受到采矿威胁，需要多金属结核来保护深海表层动物群
作者：
A. Vanreusel;A. Hilário;P. Ribeiro;Lénaick Menot;P. M. Arbizu
在克拉里昂-克利珀顿断裂区（太平洋中东部）深海深处开采多金属结核将影响地球上最偏远和最不为人所知的环境之一。由于特许权持有者正在瞄准广大地区进行未来采矿，预计这些活动将产生大规模影响。因此，深入了解与结核有关的动物群对于支持有效的环境管理至关重要。在这项研究中，使用视频调查来比较四个许可证地区结核覆盖率不同的地点的表层动物。结果显示，在结核覆盖密集的地区，表层动物密度高出两倍以上（每100平方米>25个个体对每100平方米≤10个个体），而且无结核地区几乎不存在海鞘珊瑚和抗珊瑚等分类群。此外，对长达37年的拖网或试验性采矿模拟留下的沿着痕迹进行的调查表明，表层动物几乎已完全消失，其完全恢复的速度缓慢。我们强调结核对这一深海区域表层动物生物多样性的重要性，同时敦促谨慎考虑确定未来保全区的标准。
Polymetallic nodule mining at abyssal depths in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (Eastern Central Pacific) will impact one of the most remote and least known environments on Earth. Since vast areas are being targeted by concession holders for future mining, large-scale effects of these activities are expected. Hence, insight into the fauna associated with nodules is crucial to support effective environmental management. In this study video surveys were used to compare the epifauna from sites with contrasting nodule coverage in four license areas. Results showed that epifaunal densities are more than two times higher at dense nodule coverage (>25 versus ≤10 individuals per 100 m2) and that taxa such as alcyonacean and antipatharian corals are virtually absent from nodule-free areas. Furthermore, surveys conducted along tracks from trawling or experimental mining simulations up to 37 years old, suggest that the removal of epifauna is almost complete and that its full recovery is slow. By highlighting the importance of nodules for the epifaunal biodiversity of this abyssal area, we urge for cautious consideration of the criteria for determining future preservation zones.