Progress of environmental research and management related to mineral resources in international seabed

With the increasing need for mineral resources and the development of technology and equipment, deep-sea mining has become the common concern of the global industry and scientific research community. It is generally believed that deep-sea mining will inevitably lead to disturbance or even damage to the environment and biological communities of the deep sea. This view has accelerated the development of the "Regional Environmental Management Plan" and "Mining Code" by International Seabed Authority. Based on the ecosystem perspective and methodology, this paper summarized the characteristics of deep-sea ecosystems and environment of the three types of deep-sea mineral resources, reviewed a series of studies on environmental baseline and environmental impact assessment carried out with the comprehensive test of deep-sea mining system at home and abroad, and concluded the potential impacts of deep-sea mining activities on three types of ecosystems including deep-sea plain, seamount and mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal area. Meanwhile, this paper also briefly reviewed the major environmental research progress promoted by China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association in the past three decades, and the efforts made by China for the environmental management of international seabed. Based on the analysis on the progress of the balance between development and environmental protection made by International Seabed Authority, this paper put forward suggestions on China's participation in regional environmental management. © 2021, China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. All right reserved.