standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

Chapter 11
Data Standards Utilised in the
Environmental Studies of
Yuzhmorgeologiya (Russian Federation)
Mr. Viatcheslav Ph. Melnik, Major Scientist, Yuzhmorgeologia,
Gelendzhik, Russian Federation
World ocean pollution is a global problem affecting the interests of
all humanity. Investigation activities connected with future mining, carried
out by industrial countries in the framework of national programmes and
international projects, have shown that the study of this problem and the
development of environmental protection activities will take a long time and
require the contribution of many countries.
Yuzhmorgeologia, one of the contractors with the International
Seabed Authority, has been investigating effects on the deep-sea
environment since 1982. From 1991 to 2000, it carried out these
investigations together with United States licensees, taking part in the BIE
(Benthic Impact Experiment) programme. Beginning in 2001,
Yuzhmorgeologia started its own ecological investigations in the Russian
Experimental Polygon (REP).
To achieve effective ecological controls, new scientific studies are
needed, organised around complex investigations of the benthic ecosystem.
Sediment disturbances connected with nodule mining have their
initial impact on the benthic community. It is presumed that benthic
organisms will be affected by (1) direct physical contact with the mining
device, (2) burial under a layer of resuspended sediment and (3) decrease
in the availability of food. The necessity of studying these problems before
commercial mining begins in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ)
was a main impetus for the several international model experiments on
benthos impacts – DISCOL (Disturbance Recolonisation [Germany]), BIE,
JET (Japan Deep-Sea Impact Experiment), INDEX (Indian Deep-sea
Environment Experiment) and studies by the IOM (Interoceanmetal Joint
Organisation).
The main aim of all these experiments was to create a relatively
large disturbance of the upper sediment layer by using a mining-simulator
device, and to investigate the ecosystem response to this disturbance
immediately and some years afterward. Thus, the programmes included
three main phases:
264 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY