2020 年，日本進行了一次長達兩小時的深海採礦鑽探試驗，於一年後該地區的生態系統仍然受到影響。直接受採礦沉積物污染影響的地區，魚類及蝦等生物的數量減少了43%，而周邊地區更下降了56%。研究發現，採礦及其副產品很容易污染海洋生物的食物來源，令該區不再適宜牠們棲息。
A two hours deep-sea mining drilling test back in 2020 in Japan has impacted the ecosystem in that area even after a year of time. There is a 43% decreased in fish and shrimp populations in the areas affected by sediment pollution directly, and 56% decline in the surrounding areas. Study found the mined areas has became less habitable for marine animals because the drilling and other mining byproducts can easily contaminate their food sources.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/environment/deep-sea-mining-07162023145604.html
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/deep-sea-mining-can-chase-off-marine-life-for-months/
