Numerical Modeling of Sediment Transport Caused by Deep-sea Mining

摘要

The paper describes the application of mesoscale and large scale models in order to simulate the impact of deep-sea mining sediment discharges on the marine environment. The modelling efforts are cross-linked with the experiments of the Tuscii research group which provide supporting data. The results yield time-dependent, three-dimensional concentration fields, the amount of redeposition and the plume residence time. The near bed emissions impact mainly at a local scale, whereas more widespread contamination due to discharges at the free surface or in some intermediate depth cannot be excluded.