Deep-Sea Mining Scars Persist: 44-Year Study Reveals Slow Recovery

A recent study in *Nature* reveals that deep-sea mining tracks from 1979 in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone still show limited biological recovery. Researchers from the National Oceanography Centre assessed the long-term impact of a mining test, finding that while some small creatures have returned, larger, immobile animals remain rare. The original mining test, disguised as a CIA operation, cleared a wide strip of seabed, and its marks are still visible after 44 years. Scientists warn that full recovery may be impossible due to the removal of nodules, which serve as habitats. The study underscores the need for informed policy decisions regarding deep-sea mining, especially as demand for metals like cobalt and nickel increases. It highlights the lasting impact on marine ecosystems and the slow pace of recovery in these deep-sea environments.