exploration with the approaches of the multidisciplinary deep seafloor community. The initiative has strong links with
various deep-sea research projects including HERMES-HERMIONE, ESONET- EMSO, and recently sketched the strategy for a future ‘Distributed European Drilling Research
Infrastructure’, which was
submitted as a consultation to the EU with plans to develop a concerted infrastructure and foster innovative developments in scientific drilling across Europe both onshore and offshore. Ocean drilling, deep-core sampling and
sustainable archiving of such materials and data provide a telescopic window into the past, with cores showing records of climatic disturbances
or hazardous
The initiative provides a platform for
ongoing integrated collaboration to deal with important issues arising from themes including life in the deep biosphere; marine geohazards and effects on ecosystems; and the sustainable use of sub-seafloor resources. Minimising impact is imperative in order
to benefit from the opportunities presented by the vast wealth of seafloor and sub- seafloor
resources without irreparably processes
damaging fragile ecosystems we still know too little about. A 20-25% biodiversity loss may effect a 50- 80% reduction of deep- sea ecosystem key processes, so it is essential to develop a stringent policy framework for environmental preservation in accord with international treaties. Deep sea mining takes centre stage given
the steadily growing global demand on rare elements as well as hydrocarbon resources. Manganese nodules, polymetallic sulfides, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and gas hydrates are the most likely targets for mineral exploitation, which will impact deep-sea
ecosystems
Manned submersible NAUTILE for exploration in up to 6 km water depth. IFREMER, France
(earthquakes, meteorite impacts, etc.) from millions
of years ago. “Only detailed
knowledge of past high-resolution variations in climate and environment will build the predictive capabilities to look forward and reliably mitigate future processes such as climate change. The same is true for the mitigation of geohazards such as earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis, each of which usually leaves a distinct fingerprint in the sedimentological record of our planet,” said Dr Kopf. All DS3
F workshop reports – including
research goals for the next decade(s) - fed into the comprehensive White Paper (all of which are available at the project website
http://www-deep-sea-frontier.eu).
This
serves as a guide towards Horizon 2020 objectives and will feed into the upcoming European Maritime Policy, providing the footing for the Thematic Strategy for the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment - the environmental pillar of the emerging Maritime Strategy.
The DS3 significantly. The
scale and nature of the impacts remain uncertain, but hundreds of thousands of km2
of seabed will be affected by either
slope stability issues or sediment plumes, while processing of ores at sea may dissipate toxic chemicals. ‘The deep sea and its sub-seafloor contain
a vast reservoir of physical, mineral and biological resources that are rapidly coming into the window of exploitation. Assessing the opportunities and the risks involved requires a serious commitment to excellent deep sea research.’ said Dr Kopf. Here, the European Commission’s strategic
framework Horizon 2020 offers a variety of opportunities, in particular since Europe has cutting-edge technological potential in the fields of drilling and monitoring technology for renewable energies such as geothermal, offshore wind and seafloor resources. Scientific ocean drilling will continue to play a valuable role, for example in the exploration of resource opportunities, in obtaining estimates for ecosystem and Earth climate sensitivity, or in improving understanding about the controlling factors governing
processes ★ and recurrence
intervals of submarine geohazards. Taking up these and similar societal challenges will strengthen European scientific and educational networks.
F White Paper is available to download at the following link:
http://www.deep-sea-frontier.eu/upload/Downloads/DS3F%20White%20Paper.pdf 104
Project Information AT A GLANCE
Project Title: DS3
Frontier
Project Objective: DS3
F, the Deep Sea & Sub-Seafloor
Frontier, aimed to develop strategies for sub-seafloor sampling to contribute to a better understanding of deep- sea and sub-seafloor processes by connecting marine research in life and geosciences, climate and environmental change, as well as socio-economic issues and policy building. Coordination of interests and multi-disciplinary workshops resulted in a White Paper sketching long-lived research approach.
Project Duration and Timing: Coordination Action, 30 months, January 2010 to June 2012
Project Funding: 1 Mill €uro / European Commission
Project Partners: • MARUM Univ Bremen, Germany • IFREMER France • NOC Univ Southhampton, UK • Univ Arhus, Denmark • IPGP France • MPI Bremen Germany • Univ Barcelona, Spain • Univ Tromso, Norway • INGV Rome, Italy
Main Contact: F: Deep Sea & Sub-Seafloor
Prof. Dr. Achim Kopf Dr. Kopf is a marine geologist and expert in marine technology and geohazard research. After having received a BSc and PhD in Germany, he worked at leading marine centres in Europe and the USA before taking a full professorship at MARUM, Univ Bremen, Germany in 2003. He sailed >20 research cruises (many as chief scientist) and coordinated a large number of national and international projects.
Contact: Tel: +49 421 21865800 Email:
akopf@marum.de Web:
www.deep-sea-frontier.eu
Insight Publishers | Projects
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