{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,24]],"date-time":"2026-04-24T03:33:44Z","timestamp":1777001624965,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]],"date-time":"2016-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1464739200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]],"date-time":"2016-06-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1464739200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>Polymetallic nodule mining at abyssal depths in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (Eastern Central Pacific) will impact one of the most remote and least known environments on Earth. Since vast areas are being targeted by concession holders for future mining, large-scale effects of these activities are expected. Hence, insight into the fauna associated with nodules is crucial to support effective environmental management. In this study video surveys were used to compare the epifauna from sites with contrasting nodule coverage in four license areas. Results showed that epifaunal densities are more than two times higher at dense nodule coverage (&gt;25 versus \u226410 individuals per 100\u2009m<jats:sup>2<\/jats:sup>) and that taxa such as alcyonacean and antipatharian corals are virtually absent from nodule-free areas. Furthermore, surveys conducted along tracks from trawling or experimental mining simulations up to 37 years old, suggest that the removal of epifauna is almost complete and that its full recovery is slow. By highlighting the importance of nodules for the epifaunal biodiversity of this abyssal area, we urge for cautious consideration of the criteria for determining future preservation zones.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/srep26808","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]],"date-time":"2016-06-01T09:15:43Z","timestamp":1464772543000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":263,"title":["Threatened by mining, polymetallic nodules are required to preserve abyssal epifauna"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"Ann","family":"Vanreusel","sequence":"first","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Ana","family":"Hilario","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Pedro A.","family":"Ribeiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Lenaick","family":"Menot","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]},{"given":"Pedro Mart\u00ednez","family":"Arbizu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"407","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01795925","volume":"4","author":"P Halbach","year":"1980","unstructured":"Halbach, P. & Fellerer, R. The metallic minerals of the Pacific Seafloor. Geojournal 4, 407\u2013421 (1980).","journal-title":"Geojournal"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR2","unstructured":"Cronan, D. S. Underwater Minerals. London: Academic Press. 362 p. (1980)."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0117790","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0117790","volume":"10","author":"A Janssen","year":"2015","unstructured":"Janssen, A. et al. A Reverse taxonomic approach to assess macrofaunal distribution patterns in abyssal Pacific polymetallic nodule fields. PLos ONE 10, e0117790 (2015).","journal-title":"PLos ONE"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR4","first-page":"1912","volume":"54","author":"J Veillette","year":"2007","unstructured":"Veillette, J. et al. Ferromanganese nodule fauna in the Tropical North Pacific Ocean: Species richness, faunal cover and spatial distribution. Deep-Sea Res. Pt I 54, 1912\u20131935 (2007).","journal-title":"Pt I"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR5","unstructured":"Tilot, V. Biodiversity and distribution of the megafauna. Vol. 1. The polymetallic nodule ecosystem of the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Technical Series 69, Project UNESCO COI\/Min Vlaanderen, Belgium (2006)."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20131684","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2013.1684","volume":"280","author":"LM Wedding","year":"2014","unstructured":"Wedding, L. M. et al. From principles to practice: a spatial approach to systematic conservation planning in the deep sea. Proc. R. Soc. B. 280, 20131684 (2014).","journal-title":"Proc. R. Soc. B."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3433","DOI":"10.1016\/S0967-0645(01)00051-0","volume":"48","author":"H Thiel","year":"2001","unstructured":"Thiel, H. Evaluation of the environmental consequences of polymetallic nodule mining based on the results of the TUSCH Research Association Deep-Sea Res. Pt II 48, 3433\u20133452 (2001).","journal-title":"Deep-Sea Res. Pt II"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpol.2014.04.006","volume":"49","author":"M Lodge","year":"2014","unstructured":"Lodge, M. et al. Seabed mining: International Seabed Authority environmental management plan for the Clarion\u2013Clipperton Zone. A partnership approach. Mar. Policy 49, 66\u201372 (2014).","journal-title":"Mar. Policy"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"144","DOI":"10.1126\/science.aac6647","volume":"349","author":"LM Wedding","year":"2015","unstructured":"Wedding, L. M. et al. Managing mining of the deep seabed. Science 349, 144\u2013145 (2015).","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e22588","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0022588","volume":"6","author":"E Ramirez-Llodra","year":"2011","unstructured":"Ramirez-Llodra, E. et al. Man and the last great wilderness: Human impact on the deep sea. PLos ONE 6, e22588 (2011).","journal-title":"PLos ONE"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1038\/505475a","volume":"505","author":"EB Barbier","year":"2014","unstructured":"Barbier, E. B. et al. Ecology: Protect the deep sea. Nature 505, 475\u2013477 (2014).","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"696","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1251458","volume":"344","author":"KJ Mengerink","year":"2013","unstructured":"Mengerink, K. J. et al. A Call for Deep-Ocean Stewardship. Science 344, 696\u2013698 (2013).","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"457","DOI":"10.1002\/1522-2632(200207)87:4<457::AID-IROH457>3.0.CO;2-3","volume":"87","author":"T Radziejewska","year":"2002","unstructured":"Radziejewska, T. Responses of deep-sea meiobenthic communities to sediment disturbance simulating effects of polymetallic nodule mining. Int. Rev. Hydrobiol. 87, 457\u2013477 (2002).","journal-title":"Int. Rev. Hydrobiol."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2033","DOI":"10.4319\/lo.2006.51.5.2033","volume":"51","author":"A Khripounoff","year":"2006","unstructured":"Khripounoff, A., Caprais, J.-C. & Crassous, Ph. Geochemical and biological recovery of the disturbed seafloor in polymetallic nodule fields of the Clipperton-Clarion Fracture Zone (CCFZ) at 5000-m depth. Limnol. Oceanogr. 51, 2033\u20132041 (2006).","journal-title":"Limnol. Oceanogr."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pocean.2006.03.012","volume":"69","author":"TJ Pennington","year":"2006","unstructured":"Pennington, T. J. et al. Primary production in the eastern tropical Pacific: A review. Prog. Oceanogr. 69, 285\u2013317 (2006).","journal-title":"Prog. Oceanogr."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1029\/2006JC003706","volume":"112","author":"MJ Lutz","year":"2007","unstructured":"Lutz, M. J., Caldeira, K., Dunbar, R. B. & Behrenfeld, M. J. Seasonal rhythms of net primary production and particulate organic carbon flux to depth describe the efficiency of biological pump in the global ocean. J. Geophys. Res. 112, 1\u201326 (2007).","journal-title":"J. Geophys. Res."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3363","DOI":"10.1016\/S0967-0645(01)00046-7","volume":"48","author":"R Sharma","year":"2001","unstructured":"Sharma, R., Nagender Nath, B., Parthiban, G. & Jai Sankar, S. Sediment redistribution during simulated benthic disturbance and its implications on deep seabed mining. Deep-Sea Res. Pt II 48, 3363\u20133380 (2001).","journal-title":"Deep-Sea Res. Pt II"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3469","DOI":"10.1016\/S0967-0645(01)00053-4","volume":"48","author":"S Rolinski","year":"2001","unstructured":"Rolinski, S., Segschneider, J. & Sundermann, J. Long-term propagation of tailings from deep-sea mining under variable conditions by means of numerical simulations. Deep-Sea Res. Pt II 48, 3469\u20133485 (2001).","journal-title":"Deep-Sea Res. Pt II"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pocean.2015.06.006","volume":"137","author":"JM Durden","year":"2015","unstructured":"Durden, J. M. et al. Abyssal hills - hidden source of increased habitat heterogeneity, benthic megafaunal biomass and diversity in the deep sea. Prog. Oceanogr. 137, 209\u2013218 (2015).","journal-title":"Prog. Oceanogr."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR20","first-page":"125","volume":"191","author":"K Mewes","year":"2013","unstructured":"Mewes, K. et al. Impact of depositional and biogeochemical processes on small scale variations in nodule abundance in the Clarion- Clipperton Fracture Zone. Deep-Sea Res. Pt I 191, 125\u2013141 (2013).","journal-title":"Deep-Sea Res. Pt I"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpol.2013.07.006","volume":"44","author":"CL Van Dover","year":"2014","unstructured":"Van Dover, C. L. et al. Ecological restoration in the deep sea: Desiderata. Marine Policy 44, 98\u2013106 (2014).","journal-title":"Marine Policy"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3869","DOI":"10.1016\/S0967-0645(01)00071-6","volume":"48","author":"H Thiel","year":"2001","unstructured":"Thiel, H. The large-scale environmental impact experiment DISCOL\u2014reflection and foresight. Deep-Sea Res. Pt II 48, 3869\u20133882 (2001).","journal-title":"Deep-Sea Res. Pt II"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1038\/470031a","volume":"470","author":"CL Van Dover","year":"2011","unstructured":"Van Dover, C. L. Tighten regulations on deep-sea mining Nature 470, 31\u20133 (2011).","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2851","DOI":"10.5194\/bg-7-2851-2010","volume":"7","author":"E Ramirez-Llodra","year":"2010","unstructured":"Ramirez-Llodra, E. et al. Deep, diverse and definitely different: unique attributes of the world\u2019s largest ecosystem, Biogeosciences 7, 2851\u20132899 (2010).","journal-title":"Biogeosciences"},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1050","DOI":"10.1016\/j.icesjms.2004.06.002","volume":"61","author":"VM Trenkel","year":"2004","unstructured":"Trenkel, V. M., Lorance, P. & Mah\u00e9vas, S. Do visual transects provide true population density estimates for deepwater fish? ICES J. Mar. Sci. 61, 1050\u20131056 (2004).","journal-title":"ICES J. Mar. Sci."},{"key":"BFsrep26808_CR26","unstructured":"Cohen, J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Academic Press, New York. 567p (1977)."}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep26808","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep26808.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep26808.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,4]],"date-time":"2023-01-04T15:07:05Z","timestamp":1672844825000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep26808"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,7,18]]}},"alternative-id":["BFsrep26808"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/srep26808","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2016,6,1]]},"assertion":[{"value":"13 November 2015","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"9 May 2016","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"1 June 2016","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing financial interests.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"26808"}}