Disturbing the seabed can exacerbate climate change, according to recent studies that have looked into the carbon storage capabilities of seafloor ecosystems and the impacts of human activities like trawling and deep-sea mining. A study that covered 17 sites in the Barents Sea north of Norway highlighted that the seabed and its inhabitants, which are significant carbon stores, could potentially release more carbon when disturbed, thereby speeding up climate change.
The research, involving the British Antarctic Survey, found that marine life on the Arctic ocean floor stores more carbon than previously estimated. The study took into account a variety of seabed habitats and systematically assessed the carbon content in these areas, showing that continental shelf waters are removing far more carbon than initially thought. This discovery emphasizes the critical role of polar coastal ecosystems in carbon storage, akin to terrestrial forests, despite storing less carbon per unit area compared to mangroves and seagrass meadows.
Another study published in the journal Nature in 2021 revealed that trawlers churning 1.3% of the global sea floor release more carbon dioxide than the entire aviation industry’s emissions. This not only prevents the seas from absorbing as much CO2 from the atmosphere but also hinders the growth of plant life necessary for carbon storage.
These findings are particularly relevant in the context of current debates around bottom trawling and deep-sea mining. With countries like Norway moving forward with commercial-scale deep-sea mining, there’s a growing concern about the potential environmental impacts, including the exacerbation of climate change. The International Seabed Authority is drafting regulations that could allow seabed mining in international waters, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the scientific evidence when making policy decisions in this area.