Shallow-water mining undermines global sustainability goals

Laura Kaikkonen; Elina A Virtanen

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2022.08.001

Shallow-water mining undermines global sustainability goals

Trends Ecol Evol. 2022 Nov;37(11):931-934. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.08.001. Epub 2022 Sep 13.

Authors

Laura Kaikkonen¹, Elina A Virtanen²

Affiliations

¹ Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: laura.kaikkonen@iki.fi.
² Finnish Natural History Museum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: elina.virtanen@helsinki.fi.

PMID: 36114051
DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.08.001

Abstract

Coastal mineral resources are promoted as a sustainable option to meet increasing metal demands. However, shallow-water mining contradicts international conservation and sustainability goals and its regulative legislation is still being developed. In the absence of thorough comparisons of different mining practices, there are no justifications in favour of shallow-water mining.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Conservation of Natural Resources*
Goals*
Mining
Water

Substances

Water