Study: Deep-sea mining cuts ocean life by 37%
At the heart of the deep-sea mining controversy is a difficult problem. The world needs critical minerals to tackle climate change but extracting them from the sea floor could cause serious environmental harm.
This research by the Natural History Museum and National Oceanography Centre analysed the impact of trial mining in the Pacific Ocean. It found that where the mining vehicle had harvested minerals, the number of animals living in the area was reduced by 37%.
The deep ocean is barely explored, and many scientists worry it harbours vital life that could be lost if mining goes ahead.
The mining firm The Metals Company commissioned the research. A spokesperson said they were encouraged by findings that animals outside of the directly mined areas were not affected.
词汇表
heart n. 核心，重点，中心
deep-sea mining [ˌdiːp ˈsiː ˈmaɪnɪŋ] 深海采矿
controversy [ˈkɒntrəvɜːsi] n. 争议，争论
critical minerals [ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈmɪnərəlz] 关键矿物，重要矿产
tackle [ˈtækl] vt. 应对，处理，解决
extract [ɪkˈstrækt] vt. 提取，开采
sea floor 海底，海床
oceanography [ˌəʊʃəˈnɒɡrəfi] n. 海洋学
trial mining [ˈtraɪəl ˈmaɪnɪŋ] 试验性采矿，试采
Pacific Ocean [pəˈsɪfɪk ˈəʊʃn] 太平洋
harvest [ˈhɑːvɪst] vt. 采集，收获，收割
harbour [ˈhɑːbə(r)] vt. 蕴藏，藏有，为…提供栖息地
commission [kəˈmɪʃn] vt. 委托，委任
spokesperson [ˈspəʊkspɜːsn] n. 发言人，代言人
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