standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

4.2.3. Observations of marine mammals
Proposed standards for making and documenting such observations
should be part of the Workshop product.
4.3. Environmental data collections for mining-system tests
The following activities should be associated directly with miningsystem
tests. Because such tests are several years into the future, and
because the state of the art can be expected to change significantly before
they take place, it is premature to develop standards for these datacollection
efforts.
?? Adapt the current-measurement programme to the topography and
regional hydrodynamic activity in the upper water column and on
the seafloor;
?? Measure the currents and particulate-matter concentrations at the
depth of the forecasted discharge during the testing of collecting
systems and equipment;
?? Measure the particulate distribution to record particulate
concentration along the water column;
?? Collect information on water column chemistry, including the water
overlying nodules;
?? Determine the basic properties of the sediment;
?? Obtain profiles of microbial biomass;
?? Investigate faunal abundance and species structure associated with
nodules;
?? Install time-lapse and baited camera systems;
?? Measure trace-metal concentrations in dominant bentho-, mesoand
bathypelagic species;
?? Study community structure of zooplankton and fish near discharge
levels and in the benthic boundary layer;
111 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY