Mastodawn

Polymetallic nodules – potential to accelerate green energy systems.

Rocky lumps called polymetallic nodules located 4,000 meters below sea level in the Pacific Ocean can produce “dark oxygen”. This finding upends traditional thinking about where oxygen on earth originated … aka not from plants.

But, wait, there is more. These nodules (there are potentially trillions of them), are filled with rich deposits of nickel, manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt – all metals critical for producing batteries and other advanced green energy devices.

Deep sea mining companies are chopping at the bit to scoop up the nodules from the sea floor. But, 25 countries are lobbying the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council to implement a moratorium, or at the very least a precautionary pause for mining these “rocks” so more research can be conducted to see how mining these nodules could affect the ocean and potential effects on climate.