The environmental impact assessment has been aimed at evaluating the inter-seasonal as well inter-annual variability of environmental parameters in and around the proposed FGM site in the CIOB. The studies on sedimentological, geotechnical, geochemical, microbial and biochemical parameters have shown that environmental conditions vary over different time scales (seasonal and annual) on a wide range and that these variations could probably well encompass the changes in conditions created by other activities such as deep seabed mining.

a) Objectives

1. To evaluate environmental conditions associated with deep-sea minerals
2. To evaluate the sediment ecosystems and biogeography in abyssal areas
3. To understand the interplay between geo-bio-chemical processes in these areas
4. To develop environmental data to mine deep-sea mineral resources
5. To prepare EMP for first generation mine (FGM) site

b) Participating Institutions:

CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography.

d) Deliverables:

1. Generation of multi-disciplinary data of deep-sea ecosystems in geologically unique settings
2. Establishing linkages between pelagic and benthic environments, provide estimates of export fluxes and chemical budget contributing to deep-sea ecosystem functioning
3. Providing environmental inputs for development of technology for harnessing deep-sea resources
4. EMP for FGM

e) Budget requirement : 82 crores

(Rs. In crores)