New research has found that deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean may be disrupting cetacean habitats through noise and sediment releases. Low-frequency noise from mining in the CCZ, which is home to endangered sperm whales and many species of dolphins, can travel hundreds of kilometers, disrupting cetaceans’ navigation, feeding, and social behavior. The cetaceans may be forced to migrate or face population decline if commercial mining is initiated.
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