TMC Subsidiaries Submit Extensive Deep-Sea Dataset to Public Database
In a significant move for marine science, TMC the metals company Inc., a key developer of critical metals, announced that its subsidiaries, Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. (TOML), have submitted a comprehensive dataset from nearly a decade of deep-sea exploration to DeepData. This open database is managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), marking a pivotal step in public access to oceanic research.
Unprecedented Data Collection in the Clarion Clipperton Zone
The submission, spanning from 2013 to 2022, covers the eastern Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean. It includes an unparalleled collection of biological and geochemical samples, gathered from the ocean surface down to abyssal sediments over 4,000 meters deep. This dataset builds on earlier submissions from March 2023 and May 2024, which featured hundreds of thousands of biological records and over 12,000 seafloor images, identifying more than 30,000 megafauna.
Key components of the new dataset include:
- 777 equipment deployments
- Over 4,800 distinct environmental samples
- 76,000 biological records
- 69,185 geochemical data points
This data represents roughly one-third of all CCZ information in DeepData, highlighting its scale and importance. Additionally, it will be published to UNESCO's Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), where TMC subsidiary data already account for 54% of all biological records, with this share expected to rise significantly.
Launch of Video Series on Environmental Findings
Alongside the data submission, TMC has launched a new video series to showcase key findings from its environmental research. The series demonstrates how the data addresses critical environmental concerns and how innovation has reduced the impact footprint of TMC's collection system compared to legacy technology.
Dr. Michael Clarke, TMC Environmental Manager, commented: "After more than a decade of research, 27 expeditions, and rigorous monitoring, we've built one of the most comprehensive deep-sea environmental datasets ever assembled. Backed by over $250 million in investment, our findings corroborate decades of prior research, including NOAA's DOMES program from the 1970s."
Environmental Impact and Scientific Interest
The dataset is part of TMC's $250 million environmental program, which has already underpinned 37 peer-reviewed publications. It is generating significant interest among researchers, with the full OBIS dataset downloaded almost ten thousand times and individual taxa downloads totaling more than half a billion. This reflects the growing global focus on deep-sea ecosystems and sustainable resource development.
Key environmental concerns addressed in the video series include:
- Benthic plumes
- Midwater plumes
- Biodiversity
- Carbon sequestration
- Noise and light impacts
With the Environmental Impact Assessment now complete, TMC is committed to advancing scientific understanding of the deep ocean through open data sharing and transparent communication of its research outcomes.
