Pink sea pigs, transparent sea cucumbers discovered in area targeted by deep-sea miners

A Pacific research expedition found transparent sea cucumbers, bowl-shaped sponges and pink sea pigs among other species in the same area where The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) wants to harvest polymetallic nodules from the sea floor. 

The area studied, the Clarion Clipperton Zone between Mexico and Hawaii, is a part of the Abyssal Plains at depths of 3,500 to 5,500 metres. Although they make up more than half of the earth’s surface, little is known about their animal life.

“It’s estimated that only one out of 10 animal species living down there has been described by science,” Thomas Dahlgren, a marine ecologist from the University of Gothenburg who was part of the expedition, said in a release on Wednesday.

According to Dahlgren, the animals in these deep-sea areas have adapted to a life with very little nutrition. Most feed on organic debris, known as marine snow, falling from the more productive area close to the surface. As a result, this animal population is dominated by filter feeders, such as sponges, and sediment feeders, such as sea cucumbers.

“The lack of food causes individuals to live far apart, but the species richness in the area is surprisingly high. We see many exciting specialized adaptations among the animals in these areas,” the scientist said.

The 45-day expedition sought to find out more about how mining could affect the ecosystem, register existing species and understand how the ecosystem is organized.

“We need to know more about this environment to be able to protect the species living here,” Dahlgren said. “Today, 30% of these marine areas in consideration are protected, and we need to know whether this is enough to ensure that these species aren’t at risk of extinction.”

Deep sea law

The expedition aimed to map the area’s biodiversity of the area where deep-sea mining of rare metals used in solar panels, electric car batteries and other green technologies is planned. Several countries and companies are waiting for authorization to extract these metals bound to mineral nodules lying on the ocean floor. 

The Metals Co. has conducted a pilot mining program in the area and processed battery grade nickel, it said last month. It plans to start mining late next year even as the practice exists in a grey zone of international law. 

Ocean floor reserves of metals such as nickel, manganese and cobalt are estimated to be worth anywhere from US$8 trillion to more than US$16 trillion. But the UN-mandated International Seabed Authority (ISA) still hasn’t issued rules governing seafloor extraction. The 169-member body is to meet in July. 

Era-spanning sponge

Using a remotely operated vehicle, the research team photographed the deep-sea life and took samples for future studies. One of the species captured on camera was a cup-shaped glass sponge, an animal believed to have the longest lifespan of any creature on the planet. They can live up to 15,000 years.

Another species discovered on the expedition was a pink sea pig, a sea cucumber from the genus Amperima. The species moves very slowly with its tube feet across the desolate plains in search of nutrient-rich sediments. The outgrowths on the front end of the underside are remodelled feet used to stuff food into the mouth.

“These sea cucumbers were some of the largest animals found on this expedition,” Dahlgren said. “They act as ocean floor vacuum cleaners, and specialize in finding sediment that has passed through the least number of stomachs.”