standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

However, for scientific endeavours (e.g., baseline studies) that may
collect data over many years, it may be counterproductive (and
unnecessarily expensive) to upgrade data-collection technologies at every
opportunity. Given acceptable data quality, use of a single sampling
technology allows comparison of data patterns over long periods 118 . Thus,
careful thought must be given before upgrading sampling technology in the
middle of an environmental study (e.g., baseline monitoring by a single
contractor) or within the framework of series of studies (e.g., baseline
monitoring of widely separated claim areas) for which a broad synthesis in
space and time is desired. Once standards for environmental studies are
adopted, any desired changes (e.g., in sampling apparatus) should be
reviewed by scientific experts to determine how such changes will influence
comparisons with existing data sets.
Thus far, baseline and impact studies for polymetallic nodule mining
have not been conducted using standardized approaches. Thus, in general
I recommend adoption of state-of-art technology for use in environmental
studies during the exploration phase of mining.
2. Baseline-Data Requirements by Sector
During and after the ISA workshop in Sanya, China in June 1998 to
discuss “deep-sea polymetallic nodule exploration: development of
environmental guidelines”, a number of guidelines for baseline-data
collection were formulated. These recommended guidelines were
categorized as pertaining to:
- Physical oceanography,
- Chemical oceanography,
- Sediment properties,
- Biological communities,
- Bioturbation and
- Sedimentation.
The recommended guidelines, and papers and discussions
explaining their rationale, are presented in the published proceedings of the
Workshop 129 . Revised and abbreviated recommendations, together with
some explanations, were later prepared by the Legal and Technical
Commission (LTC) of ISA 1310 (discussed in chapter 2 above). In this section,
I quote the requirements set out in the LTC document, outline the more
55 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY