Configuration of Subsea Mooring System for Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Abstract

Abstract Deep-sea mining trials are subject to strict adherence to the international regulations for monitoring of ocean environmental data. A comparative analysis of data collected before and subsequent to the mining trials enables the assessment of the potential impact of deep-sea mining activities on the marine environment. In the realm of data collection for oceanic environments, the mooring system has been conventionally employed. This system's specifications, including length and design, are intricately governed by predetermined design criteria, with its deployment typically taking a vertical orientation. Specifically, within the context of deep-sea mining, the mooring system is effectively utilized to oversee, record, and collect mass information concerning disturbances in the water column and to the seabed. This pertains to the periods encompassing pre-exploration, exploration, and exploitation activities. The integration of various sensors, such as sediment collectors and Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensors facilitates the gathering of pertinent data concerning changes in the water column and bottom disturbances. The experimental implementation of the subsurface long and short mooring within the present study is operational at an approximate depth of 5500 meters. Furthermore, the analysis encompassed in this study pertains to the determination of the mooring's ascent and descent rates. The mooring system serves as an essential tool in this endeavour, with its design and deployment intricacies well-adhering to specified criteria. The study's focus on the subsurface long and short mooring system underscores its operational depth and the meticulous configuration achieved through spatial and temporal data alignment.