FAPESP Marine ferromanganese deposits - a major resource of E-tech elements (MarineE-tech)

矿物对于经济发展、社会运转和维持我们的生活质量至关重要。自第二次世界大战以来，大多数原材料的消费量稳步增加，预计需求将继续增长，以应对全球人口和经济增长的迅速增长，特别是在巴西，俄罗斯，印度和中国（金砖四国）和其他新兴经济体。我们使用的金属种类也比以往任何时候都多。现代通信和计算以及生产清洁、可再生、低碳能源所需的新技术需要大量的多种金属。鉴于这些趋势，全球日益关注社会所需矿物和金属的长期安全和充足供应。特别令人关注的是“关键”原材料（E-技术元素），之所以这样称呼是因为它们在经济上的重要性日益增加，对新兴的“绿色”技术也有重要贡献，但它们有很高的供应短缺风险。以下E-技术元素被认为是研究的最高优先级：钴、碲、硒、钕、铟、镓和重稀土元素。其中一些E-tech元素高度集中在海底矿床（铁锰结核和结壳）中，这些矿床是未来勘探和开发的最重要海洋金属资源。例如，碲的富集程度最高的地方是包裹在一些水下山脉上的海底铁锰结壳。碲是生产薄膜太阳能电池的关键成分，但由于光伏技术的广泛部署、低回收率以及作为铜精炼的副产品生产，预计需求将增加，因此容易引起供应安全问题。因此，至关重要的是评估碲和其他E-tech元素的替代供应来源，其中最大的来源是海底矿床。我们的研究计划旨在提高对海底矿床中E-tech元素浓度的理解，海底矿床被认为是全球最大但勘探最少的E-tech元素来源。我们的研究将集中在两个关键方面：矿床的形成，以及减少开采造成的影响。我们主要关注的是控制沉积物浓度及其局部范围（10至100平方公里）组成的过程。这将涉及机器人车辆在北非和巴西海岸附近的水下山脉和小型深海盆地收集数据。通过识别导致最高品位矿床的过程，我们的目标是开发一个预测模型，以预测其在全球范围内的发生。我们还将讨论如何最大限度地减少矿产开采对环境的影响。海底采矿将对环境产生影响。只有在环境上可持续的情况下，它才能被认为是一种可行的选择。通过收集生态数据，并对模拟采矿活动产生的水下尘埃云进行试验，我们将探索海底矿物开采的干扰程度。从矿石中提取金属传统上是非常耗能的。为了减少金属提取的碳足迹，我们将探索有机溶剂，微生物和纳米材料的新用途。这项工作的一个重要成果将是与更广泛的利益攸关方和决策者共同努力，尽量减少海底矿物开采在国家和国际两级的影响。这种参与将有助于为海底矿产开采的治理和管理政策提供信息。

Minerals are essential for economic development, the functioning of society and maintaining our quality of life. Consumption of most raw materials has increased steadily since World War II, and demand is expected to continue to grow in response to the burgeoning global population and economic growth, especially in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) and other emerging economies. We are also using a greater variety of metals than ever before. New technologies such as those required for modern communication and computing and to produce clean renewable, low-carbon energy require considerable quantities of many metals. In the light of these trends there is increasing global concern over the long-term availability of secure and adequate supplies of the minerals and metals needed by society. Of particular concern are 'critical' raw materials (E-tech element), so called because of their growing economic importance and essential contribution to emerging 'green' technologies, yet which have a high risk of supply shortage.The following E-tech elements are considered to be of highest priority for research: cobalt, tellurium, selenium, neodymium, indium, gallium and the heavy rare earth elements. Some of these E-tech elements are highly concentrated in seafloor deposits (ferromanganese nodules and crusts), which constitute the most important marine metal resource for future exploration and exploitation. For example, the greatest levels of enrichment of Tellurium are found in seafloor Fe-Mn crusts encrusting some underwater mountains. Tellurium is a key component in the production of thin film solar cells, yet is prone to security of supply concerns because of projected increased demand resulting from the widespread deployment of photovoltaic technologies; low recycling rates; and its production as a by-product from copper refining. As a result, it is vital to assess alternative sources of supply of tellurium and the other E-tech elements, the largest source of which is held as seafloor mineral deposits.Our research programme aims to improve understanding of E-tech element concentration in seafloor mineral deposits, which are considered the largest yet least explored source of E-tech elements globally. Our research will focus on two key aspects: The formation of the deposits, and reducing the impacts resulting from their exploitation. Our primarily focus is on the processes controlling the concentration of the deposits and their composition at a local scale (10's to 100's square km). These will involve data gathering by robotic vehicles across underwater mountains and small, deep-sea basins off the coast of North Africa and Brazil. By identifying the processes that result in the highest grade deposits, we aim to develop a predictive model for their occurrence worldwide. We will also address how to minimise the environmental impacts of mineral exploitation. Seafloor mining will have an impact on the environment. It can only be considered a viable option if it is environmentally sustainable. By gathering ecological data and experimenting with underwater clouds of dust that simulate those generated by mining activity, we will explore of extent of disturbance by seafloor mineral extraction. Metal extraction from ores is traditionally very energy consuming. To reduce the carbon footprint of metal extraction we will explore the novel use of organic solvents, microbes and nano-materials. An important outcome of the work will be to engage with the wider community of stakeholders and policy makers on the minimising the impacts of seafloor mineral extraction at national and international levels. This engagement will help inform policy on the governance and management of seafloor mineral exploitation.