Issue: Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of energy and mineral exploration and extraction
This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
Harvesting of non-living materials and fuels (eg pipelines, exploration drilling and extraction rigs and wells) can impact on the surrounding marine environment and biodiversity via direct disturbance of benthic ecosystems and discharges which affect water quality or temperature.
Seismic surveys are a further routine activity in the harvesting of non-living materials and fuels. Little is currently known about the impact of seismic noise on marine animals.
Indicators
- CO-26 Extent of potential habitat disturbance by well rigs sites, pipelines etc
Habitat disturbance from oil and gas exploration and extraction activities can place pressure on biodiversity. Number of rigs and length of pipeline occurring in known habitat of selected threatened species (eg whales, dugongs, turtles) will give an indication of some of the species that are potentially under pressure from these activities. - CO-27 Number, frequency, extent and volume of oil spills from all sources
Exploration and extraction activities are a potential source of oil spills that may impact on marine biodiversity. - CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters
Pollution from activities extracting energy fuels and minerals from land adjacent to coastal waters can place pressure on marine biodiversity. Substances vary enormously in terms of what quantities are dangerous to human health and the environment. Therefore a breakdown, as far as possible, of quantities of all substances discharged from coastal facilities either directly into coastal waters, or into coastal freshwater systems, is required to give an indication of the scale of this pressure. - CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris
Exploration and extraction activities are a source of marine debris that may impact on marine biodiversity. - CO-48 Area disturbed/potentially disturbed by seismic surveys
Seismic surveys used in oil and gas exploration have the potential; to place pressure on marine biodiversity. Number of surveys and estimated length of survey lines occurring in known habitat of selected threatened species (eg whales, dugongs, turtles) will give an indication of some of the species that are potentially under pressure from these activities. - CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities
Exploration and extraction activities are a source of visual and noise pollution which may impact on marine biodiversity. - CO-64 Quantity of various substances discharged by offshore extraction activities
Discharges of pollution from off shore oil and gas facilities are a pressure on marine biodiversity. Substances vary enormously in terms of what quantities are dangerous to human health and the environment. Therefore a breakdown, as far as possible, of quantities of all substances discharged from offshore exploration and extraction activities directly into marine waters is required to give an indication of the scale of this pressure. - CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species
POil rigs have been identified as one of the means whereby new species are introduced to marine areas where they may impact on marine biodiversity.
Related issues
- Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressures of harvesting non-living materials
- Coasts and Oceans - Contributions of the coasts and oceans to human life - Non-living material (materials and energy fuels)
Key
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