standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

abyssal seafloor communities 25 seasonal baseline studies at the seafloor
are probably not warranted. In contrast, environmental processes in the
surface ocean may vary substantially on a seasonal basis, altering
community response to nodule-mining impacts (e.g., release of iron-rich
tailings in surface waters). Environmental conditions throughout the water
column may change as a consequence of decadal climatic regime shifts.
Spatial variations will also occur in 150,000-km 2 claim areas as a function
of bottom topography, general hydrographic regimes and even latitudinal
differences.
As a starting point for discussion, I offer the following general design
for baseline monitoring:
Within each claim area, four stations should be established, 50-100
km apart. Stations should be established where bottom topography and
nodule cover appear to be typical of the general area on 50-100 km scales
(based on data collected during the prospecting phase). Ideally, one station
might be located at a random point in each of four equally sized quadrants
of the claim area. Current-meter moorings would then be deployed at all
four stations, with sediment traps on two of the moorings. The long
mooring, with sediment traps, would be deployed for three years (and
serviced once a year), while the other mooring would be deployed for one
year. Physical and chemical oceanography parameters would be measured
in the water column at all stations in winter and summer for two years (i.e.,
over two winter-summer cycles); community studies in surface waters would
also be conducted on seasonal cruises. Seafloor community studies, and
evaluation of sediment properties and bioturbation, should be conducted at
least once at all four stations (in the first year). In addition, megafaunal,
macrofaunal, meiofaunal, microbial, demersal-scavenger and sedimentpore-water
parameters would be assessed once a year for two additional
years at the station with the long mooring to evaluate interannual variability.
I would also recommend that the location at a study site (or station)
of individual seafloor samples (e.g., box cores and multiple cores) be
randomised on a one-kilometre scale to assess within-site spatial variability.
This would lead to an overall baseline environmental programme of
three years, with sampling cruises at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2 and 3 years from
the start.
65 INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY