Scientists Explore Site of Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Testing Offshore Georgia

Study will help BOEM improve its understanding of the potential long-term environmental impacts of deep-sea mining-related disturbances
12/20/2022

BOEM, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and NOAA Ocean Exploration explored a site on the Blake Plateau offshore of the Georgia coast from July 31-August 12, 2022, to better understand the impacts of historic seabed mining equipment testing conducted in the 1970s.

BOEM, USGS, and NOAA began planning for this joint study in 2018. In 2019, the site was briefly explored to collect baseline information. Scientists returned on Ocean Infinity’s ship Deep Helder to take a closer look with a Hugin 6000 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to survey the area to collect more detailed seafloor information, including bathymetry and camera imagery.

The BOEM-funded study will help the bureau improve its understanding of the potential long-term environmental impacts of deep-sea mining-related disturbances, which will help guide future decision making.

For more information go to https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/22seabed-mining/welcome.html

Seen during 2022’s Investigation of a Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Test Site on the Blake Plateau, along with a skate (look closely), manganese nodules like these were the subject of an experimental deep-sea mining pilot project in the 1970s. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Investigation of a Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Test Site on the Blake Plateau.
Seen during 2022’s Investigation of a Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Test Site on the Blake Plateau, along with a skate (look closely), manganese nodules like these were the subject of an experimental deep-sea mining pilot project in the 1970s. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Investigation of a Historic Seabed Mining Equipment Test Site on the Blake Plateau.

-- BOEM --

The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for America’s offshore energy and mineral resources. The bureau promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.