Submarine tailing disposal (STD) in fjords from land-based mines is common practice in Norway and takes place in other regions worldwide. We synthesize the results of a multidisciplinary programme on environmental impacts of STDs in Norwegian fjords, providing new knowledge that can be applied to assess and mitigate impact of tailing disposal globally, both for submarine and deep-sea activities. Detailed geological seafloor mapping provided data on natural sedimentation to monitor depositional processes on the seafloor. Modelling and analytical techniques were used to assess the behaviour of tailing particles and process-chemicals in the environment, providing novel tools for monitoring. Toxicity tests showed biological impacts on test species due to particulate and chemical exposure. Hypersedimentation mesocosm and field experiments showed a varying response on the benthos, allowing to determine the transition zone in the STD impact area. Recolonisation studies indicate that full community recovery and normalisation of metal leakage rates may take several decades due to bioturbation and slow burial of sulfidic tailings. The results are synthesised to provide guidelines for the development of best available techniques for STDs.

在峡湾中从陆基矿山进行海底尾矿处理 (STD) 是挪威的常见做法，并且在世界其他地区也有发生。我们综合了一项关于挪威峡湾 STD 对环境影响的多学科计划的结果，提供了可用于评估和减轻全球尾矿处置对海底和深海活动的影响的新知识。详细的海底地质测绘提供了有关自然沉积的数据，以监测海底的沉积过程。建模和分析技术用于评估尾矿颗粒和工艺化学品在环境中的行为，为监测提供了新的工具。毒性测试表明，由于颗粒物和化学物质的暴露，对测试物种的生物影响。超沉降中宇宙和野外实验显示了对底栖生物的不同反应，从而可以确定 STD 影响区域的过渡区。重新殖民化研究表明，由于生物扰动和硫化尾矿的缓慢掩埋，社区的全面恢复和金属泄漏率的正常化可能需要几十年的时间。综合这些结果，为 STD 最佳可用技术的开发提供指导。