Deep Sea Mining (Exploration Licences) Regulations 1984 No. 1230

ANNEX 5 REPORTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE EXPLORATION AREA: NOTES FOR GUIDANCE

Site Characterisation Prior to Exploration Activity

2.  At the commencement of exploration activities a full report should be prepared on the existing state of the water column and the sea floor. The following type of information is required:

(a) The Water Column

• —Primary productivity

• —Dissolved oxygen and nutrients profiles

• —Standing crop of zooplankton

• —Currents (velocity and direction)

• —Salinity and temperature profiles

• —Suspended particulate material profiles

(b) The Sea Floor

• —Benthic organisms present, spatial variability, density;

• —biomass in mining and adjacent areas.