New scientific findings suggest that deep-sea mining in a remote region of the Pacific Ocean could pose significant threats to marine species, including whales and dolphins.

This area, known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), lies in the Eastern Pacific and features expansive deep-sea plains and underwater mountains.

A Canadian-based company, The Metals Company, has proposed to explore sections of the CCZ for polymetallic nodules—valuable mineral deposits found on the seabed.

Two new academic studies have observed whales and dolphins—among them the endangered sperm whale—within the CCZ. These discoveries have prompted concerns about the possible harm to a diverse array of deep-sea creatures.

"There’s still so much we don’t understand about these habitats located hundreds of miles offshore in deep ocean territory," noted Dr. Kirsten Young of the University of Exeter.

"Many of the organisms inhabiting this zone grow slowly and can live exceptionally long lives, particularly those on the ocean floor.

"That makes it incredibly difficult to forecast how mining will influence these organisms and the balance of the entire ecosystem. We need thorough evaluations of these ecological risks as soon as possible."

Dr. Young explained that the noise created by mining operations could travel long distances underwater—potentially for hundreds of kilometers—especially when channeled through specialized underwater sound layers.

One of the studies assessed how various CCZ species react to underwater noise and noted that only 35% of known taxonomic groups in the region have been evaluated for sound sensitivity.

Certain fish use sound to communicate, and these are especially susceptible to increased noise levels.

Long-term exposure to this noise could disrupt essential behaviors and lead to broader disturbances in the marine ecosystem, the researchers warn.

The second study monitored whale and dolphin populations from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise.

Researchers carried out 13 days of visual and acoustic observation, recording 74 sound detections and six visual sightings.

These included species such as the sperm whale, Risso’s dolphins, and common dolphins, as well as 70 unidentified groups of dolphins.

Dr. Young stressed: “If deep-sea mining proceeds, whales and dolphins may be subjected to persistent noise from various underwater sources.

"Many marine mammals are highly attuned to specific sound frequencies. Excessive noise can interfere with their social and feeding communications, and it might even drive them away from vital habitats.

"We still have much to learn about how sediment plumes from mining activity might affect the food chain and other ecological processes."

Louisa Casson of Greenpeace International added: “The verified presence of species like the endangered sperm whale in zones targeted for mining is a strong argument against allowing this harmful industry to move forward.”

One of the newly released papers, published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, is titled: “Noise from deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean will impact a broad range of marine taxa.”

The second study, which focused on marine mammals, appeared in Frontiers in Marine Science and is called: “Threatened cetaceans in a potential deep seabed mining region, Clarion Clipperton Zone, Eastern Pacific.”

Journal

Frontiers in Marine Science

DOI

10.3389/fmars.2025.1511075/abstract

Article Title

Threatened cetaceans in a potential deep seabed mining region, Clarion Clipperton Zone, Eastern Pacific.

Article Publication Date

24-Jun-2025