Research on benthic plume sedimentation characteristics and temperature effect in deep-sea nodule mining operation

Abstract

The benthic plume generated by nodule mining operations has garnered significant attention due to its intricate environmental impact and the limitations of existing plume control techniques. Prior research has suggested that temperature effects can facilitate the aggregation of suspended sediments; however, a more detailed understanding is needed. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to examine the sedimentation behavior of the benthic plume and the influence of temperature on its sedimentation process. Suspension concentrations of the plume were monitored over an hour, while flocs characteristics were investigated at 30 and 60-min intervals. A novel function describing the relationship between temperature effects and concentration changes was developed. Results indicate that higher temperatures can accelerate the deposition process by approximately 3–6 times, emphasizing the necessity to consider low water temperatures in laboratory studies of benthic plumes. Moreover, the integration of temperature effects and micro-eddies in plume aggregation research may offer new opportunities for developing advanced plume control and separation methods.