A new study published in Scientific Reports highlights the potential health risks associated with deep-sea mining of manganese nodules. The study found that the nodules, which are rich in metals used in electronics and steelmaking, accumulate high levels of uranium radioisotopes that emit alpha radiation as they decay. The researchers suggest that inhalation of nodule dust and exposure to other radioactive substances during processing could be hazardous to miners, processors, and end-users. The study calls for the consideration of these health hazards in future mining planning. Additionally, the researchers note that extensive mining of the nodules could permanently destroy marine ecosystems and disrupt the Earth's system.
Tue, 25 Jul 2023 06:53:00 GMT | Interesting Engineering