ALBERT

Description: In this study ship- and AUV-based multibeam data from the German Mn-nodule license area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ; eastern Pacific) are linked to ground truth data from optical imaging. Photographs obtained by an AUV enable semi-quantitative assessments of nodule coverage at a spatial resolution in the range of meters. Together with high resolution AUV bathymetry this revealed a correlation of small-scale terrain variations (

Description: In this study, ship- and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)-based multibeam data from the German ferromanganese-nodule (Mn-nodule) license area in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ; eastern Pacific) are linked to ground-truth data from optical imaging. Photographs obtained by an AUV enable semi-quantitative assessments of nodule coverage at a spatial resolution in the range of meters. Together with high-resolution AUV bathymetry, this revealed a correlation of small-scale terrain variations (

Description: In this study ship- and AUV-based multibeam data from the German Mn-nodule license area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ; eastern Pacific) are linked to ground truth data from optical imaging. Photographs obtained by an AUV enable semi-quantitative assessments of nodule coverage at a spatial resolution in the range of meters. Together with high resolution AUV bathymetry this revealed a correlation of small-scale terrain variations (〈 5 m horizontally, 〈 1 m vertically) with nodule abundance. In the presented data set, increased nodule coverage could be correlated with slopes 〉 1.8° and concave terrain. On a more regional scale, factors such as the geological setting (existence of horst and graben structures, sediment thickness, outcropping basement) and influence of bottom currents seem to play an essential role for the spatial variation of nodule abundance and the related hard substrate habitat. AUV imagery was also successfully employed to map the distribution of re-settled sediment following a disturbance and sediment cloud generation during a sampling deployment of an Epibenthic Sledge. Data from before and after the "disturbance" allows a direct assessment of the impact. Automated image processing analyzed the nodule coverage at the seafloor, revealing nodule blanketing by resettling of suspended sediment within 16 hours after the disturbance. The visually detectable impact was spatially limited to a maximum of 100m distance from the disturbance track, downstream of the bottom water current. A correlation with high resolution AUV bathymetry reveals that the blanketing pattern varies in extent by tens of meters, strictly following the bathymetry, even in areas of only slightly undulating seafloor (〈 1 m vertical change). These results highlight the importance of detailed terrain knowledge when engaging in resource assessment studies for nodule abundance estimates and defining minable areas. At the same time, it shows the importance of high resolution mapping for detailed benthic habitat studies that show a heterogeneity at scales of 10 m to 100 m. Terrain knowledge is also needed to determine the scale of the impact by seafloor sediment blanketing during mining-operations.

Description: Seafloor morphology plays a key role in submarine mineral exploration as precious minerals are associated with specific geomorphological settings. Mn-nodules occur in abyssal plains, seafloor massive sulphides are strongly connected to volcanic areas and sand, gravel and other marine minable aggregates are deposited in coastal environments. For resource assessments and exploitation, a detailed knowledge of the seafloor morphology is essential to evaluate areas of terrain that cannot be mined due to technical limitations, and to estimate abundance, extent and thickness of the deposits. The most important method used is multibeam mapping, from which bathymetric and backscatter data are derived. These are often linked to side scan sonar surveys and sub-bottom profiling. Optical video and photo data provide additional information about substrate type and ecology, and help improve and adapt exploration and exploitation plans and technology. For the three most important marine mineral types—sand and gravel, Mn-nodules and seafloor massive sulphides—exploration and exploitation methods are described and the environmental impacts associated with mining these resources are discussed.