Expedition Island Pride: deep-sea raw materials or environmental degradation?

Expedition Island Pride: deep-sea raw materials or environmental degradation?

Clarion-Clipperton-Zone, Pazifik - fascinating treasures slumber in the sea: manganese, nickel, cobalt and copper, bound in the form of manganese nubs, are waiting for their discovery. Due to their use in modern technologies, especially in batteries for electric cars and wind turbines, these minerals are of extraordinary value. The possibility of harvesting these raw materials in the deep sea arouses desires and is the subject of current research.

A moment, a profound analysis of the possible environmental impact of raw material removal takes place on board the research expedition "Island Pride". Arte reporter Michael Stocks and his cameraman accompany the company as the only film team and document the testing of a large underwater harvest machine that aims to work out the sea floor efficiently. However, it is pointed out to the controversy that are expressed by various scientists. Many researchers fear that the dismantling of the manganese noles could seriously disturb the sensitive marine ecology, which leads to heated discussions in the professional world and beyond.

The debate about raw materials from the sea

worldwide there are different approaches to deep -sea mountain construction. While Germany, which has a license area in the Clarion Clipperton zone between Hawaii and Mexico, has given a moratorium for deep-sea mountain construction in order to explore the ecological consequences, many other countries and companies are skeptical about such restrictions. According to the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Raw Materials, Germany could cover 6% of the copper requirement, 51% of the nickel need and even 80% of the cobalt requirement.

The International Sea Board Authority (ISA) plans to set regulations for deep -sea mountain construction in summer. This is done in the context of a growing interest, since over 20 member states of ISA, as well as large companies such as BMW, Google, Samsung and Volvo, show a common interest in reducing raw materials in the ocean. In the meantime, Japan has already acquired licenses and plans to reduce elements in its economic zone, which could potentially mean that the country can secure its raw material supply for decades. Japan does not support a moratorium and therefore pursues an aggressive exploitation of its sea resources.

The location in Tonga

The island state Tonga also shows ambivalent views of deep -sea mountain construction. The government cooperates with a company in order to exploit the possibility of breaking down manganese tubes in order to renovate the dilapidated household. However, fishermen in the region express concerns and fear that this could have negative effects on the fish population and tourist whale observation. A civil society forum even requires a ban on deep -sea cultivation, while the geological service in Tonga sees the economic opportunities. Tonga could earn up to $ 2.50 per sophisticated ton of manganese nubs, with a potential breakdown of up to three million tons annually.

The debate about deep -sea mountain construction not only keeps researchers, governments and companies in suspense, but also asks the question of the balance between technological progress and environmental protection: How much are we ready to risk our raw materials, and what future do we want to design for the seas? One answer is still pending while the "Island Pride" expedition gets to the bottom of nature.

Further information is available at Prisma and Tagesschau .