A Systematic Approach for Quantitative Environmental Assessment of Seafloor Massive Sulfide Mining

Seafloor massive sulfides have been a subject of interest for profitable commercial mining these ten years. However, less information is available for both the baseline ecosystems in the distribution areas and the environmental impacts on them caused by the mining. Owing to growing concern for the global and local environments, the quantitative understanding of the environmental impacts, the systematic environmental assessment, and the effective control and regulation methods of seafloor massive sulfide mining must be clarified. A systematic approach necessary for the clarification is discussed. An example design of artificial impact experiment and the monitoring are introduced. An international initiative is proposed.