Alexus is a PhD student in Oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. As a late-stage PhD student, she brought a unique perspective to the Fall 2024 YVoS program through her broad academic background in ecology and evolutionary biology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, herpetology, marine science and oceanography, along with specialized expertise in deep-sea ecology. From her experiences studying deep-sea mining, she has seen firsthand the incredible biodiversity at risk from those practices.
For her outreach project Alexus wrote an article for publication partner The Conversation explaining the dangers of mining not only to life on the ocean floor but also for the animals living higher up in the water column.
As Alexus wrote: “Mining operations create huge sediment plumes, clouds of particles that drift through the water and threaten fragile ecosystems, including those we’re only just beginning to discover. In the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), where I conduct my research, we are uncovering exciting new discoveries about its unique ecosystems. However, if deep-sea mining moves forward, we risk destroying these ecosystems before fully understanding their critical role in maintaining ocean health and climate stability. This issue is especially urgent because commercial mining could begin in the next few years, and decisions are being made now. It’s crucial that the public understands the risks so we can push for policies that protect our oceans. Through this article, I aim to bridge the gap between science and the public, raising awareness about this critical issue before it’s too late.“
You can read the full article HERE.
