Score:
9.5/15
Analyze what earned this score 🔥
Topper’s Copy
GS3
Environment & Ecology
15 marks
What are the environmental concerns of deep-sea mining? Suggest measures for its sustainable management.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- What environmental damages deep-sea mining causes to marine ecosystems
- How to manage deep-sea mining sustainably and reduce its risks
What you wrote:
Deep sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits from ocean floor below 200 metres. Nations are using deep sea mining to pursue critical minerals (polymetallic nodules, seafloor sulphides), which is posing severe environmental concerns.
Deep sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits from ocean floor below 200 metres. Nations are using deep sea mining to pursue critical minerals (polymetallic nodules, seafloor sulphides), which is posing severe environmental concerns.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could briefly mention the urgent need for critical minerals in clean energy transitions (e.g., cobalt for EV batteries) to establish why deep-sea mining is being pursued despite environmental risks.
What you wrote:
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF DEEP SEA MINING
1. Benthic Habitat Destruction:
Scraping ocean beds for critical mineral destroys biodiversity habitat → leads to biodiversity loss
↳ According to a study in Clarion Clipperton Zone (2025)
↓
→ Commercial deep sea mining caused 32% decrease in species richness within affected region.
2. Sediment Plumes → sediment from ocean floor generated by mining vehicles can block sunlight, disrupt feeding and communication of marine mammals and fish and clog respiration.
3. Noise and Light Pollution:
Artificial glare and low frequency noise from mining disorient bioluminescent organisms and disrupt echolocation in marine mammals.
4. Carbon cycle disruption:
Deep sea mining destabilizes planet's largest carbon sink, reducing ocean's capacity to mitigate climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF DEEP SEA MINING
1. Benthic Habitat Destruction:
Scraping ocean beds for critical mineral destroys biodiversity habitat → leads to biodiversity loss
↳ According to a study in Clarion Clipperton Zone (2025)
↓
→ Commercial deep sea mining caused 32% decrease in species richness within affected region.
2. Sediment Plumes → sediment from ocean floor generated by mining vehicles can block sunlight, disrupt feeding and communication of marine mammals and fish and clog respiration.
3. Noise and Light Pollution:
Artificial glare and low frequency noise from mining disorient bioluminescent organisms and disrupt echolocation in marine mammals.
4. Carbon cycle disruption:
Deep sea mining destabilizes planet's largest carbon sink, reducing ocean's capacity to mitigate climate change.
Suggestions to improve:
- Correct the CCZ reference to "test nodule-collection vehicles in the CCZ reduced species richness by 32% and animal abundance by 37% (Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2025)."
- Can add: "Release of heavy metals (copper, cadmium, lead) from nodule processing and wastewater slurry discharge causes bioaccumulation in marine organisms, disrupting trophic cascades and threatening human seafood safety."
What you wrote:
MEASURES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
1. Apply Precautionary moratorium until accumulated ecological impacts are comprehensively understood.
2. Finalise a binding ISA Mining Code under UNCLOS, with strict conduct of independent Environment Impact Assessments (EIA)
3. Embed strict Benthic Monitoring into Domestic programs like India's Deep Ocean Mission
4. Prioritize urban mining to reduce pressure on seabed through circular economy.
MEASURES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
1. Apply Precautionary moratorium until accumulated ecological impacts are comprehensively understood.
2. Finalise a binding ISA Mining Code under UNCLOS, with strict conduct of independent Environment Impact Assessments (EIA)
3. Embed strict Benthic Monitoring into Domestic programs like India's Deep Ocean Mission
4. Prioritize urban mining to reduce pressure on seabed through circular economy.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can add: "Implement the UN BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty) to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond national jurisdictions and ensure cross-sectoral environmental assessments before mining licenses are issued."
What you wrote:
WAY FORWARD
1. Invest in R&D for low impact mining technology.
2. Transparent, real time monitoring regimes by deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
International community must balance energy transition mineral demands with marine preservation, to uphold 'common heritage of humankind' and align with SDG 14 (Life below water)
WAY FORWARD
1. Invest in R&D for low impact mining technology.
2. Transparent, real time monitoring regimes by deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
International community must balance energy transition mineral demands with marine preservation, to uphold 'common heritage of humankind' and align with SDG 14 (Life below water)
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by adding: "Ensure benefit-sharing mechanisms under ISA regulations so that developing nations can access deep-sea mining revenues equitably, preventing exploitation by technologically advanced countries alone."
The answer demonstrates strong structure, relevant data (CCZ study), and good integration of governance frameworks (ISA, UNCLOS, SDG 14). However, correct the factual error regarding commercial vs. test mining in CCZ, and include missing dimensions like ecotoxicity/bioaccumulation and the BBNJ Agreement to comprehensively address sustainable management. Well-articulated overall.
Demand of the Question
- What environmental damages deep-sea mining causes to marine ecosystems
- How to manage deep-sea mining sustainably and reduce its risks
What you wrote:
Deep sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits from ocean floor below 200 metres. Nations are using deep sea mining to pursue critical minerals (polymetallic nodules, seafloor sulphides), which is posing severe environmental concerns.
Deep sea mining involves extracting mineral deposits from ocean floor below 200 metres. Nations are using deep sea mining to pursue critical minerals (polymetallic nodules, seafloor sulphides), which is posing severe environmental concerns.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could briefly mention the urgent need for critical minerals in clean energy transitions (e.g., cobalt for EV batteries) to establish why deep-sea mining is being pursued despite environmental risks.
More Challenges
View All- View Challenge
GS3
Environment & Ecology
9 Oct, 2026
The Living Planet Report highlights a sharp decline in wildlife populations worldwide. What does this decline actually indicate? Discuss the major causes of biodiversity loss and suggest conservation measures.
- View Challenge
GS3
Economy
Yesterday
How does a repo rate hike help control inflation? Discuss its impact on the Indian economy.
- View Challenge
GS1
Physical Geography
7 Oct, 2026
Rapid urbanisation is intensifying the Urban Heat Island effect in Indian cities. Examine how urban planning contributes to rising heat stress and suggest measures to build heat-resilient cities.
SuperKalam is your personal mentor for UPSC preparation, guiding you at every step of the exam journey.
Download the App
STUDY RESOURCES
CONTACT US
ⓒ Snapstack Technologies Private Limited