The Fluid Mechanics of Deep-Sea Mining

Fluid mechanics lies at the heart of many physical processes associated with nascent deep-sea mining industry. The evolution and fate sediment plumes that would be produced by seabed activities, which are central to assessment environmental impact, entirely determined transport processes. These processes, include advection, turbulent mixing, buoyancy, differential particle settling, flocculation, operate a multitude spatiotemporal scales. A combination historical recent efforts combine theory, numerical modeling, laboratory experiments, field trials has yielded significant progress, including assessing role operational parameters in setting extent plumes, but more fundamental applied fluid research is needed before models can accurately predict commercial-scale scenarios. Furthermore, underpins design operation proposed technologies, for there currently no established best practices.