Exploiting Seabed Law

Private companies and sovereign States have begun mining the deep sea for polymetallic nodules that contain precious minerals, including cobalt, nickel, copper, and magnesium. In 2021, the small island nation of Nauru triggered a procedural “two-year rule” that requires the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to finalize regulations for deep sea mining (DSM) or consider the provisional approval of commercial exploitation applications. This two-year deadline passed in July 2023 without any resolution. ISA Members States continue to debate a precautionary moratorium on deep sea mining operations in light of inadequate scientific and environmental information about deep sea ecosystems. Meanwhile, advocates argue for scaled-up commercial mining operations in the next few years. Mining proponents argue that harvesting valuable metals from the ocean floor is essential to facilitate a transition to a new green economy and causes less damage than land-based mining. But marine scientists warn that DSM will cause irreversible environmental damage, impacting biodiversity, migratory species, fisheries, and carbon cycling. Scientific research shows that a combination of sediment plumes, industrial contamination, and anthropogenic noise from deep sea mining have harmful impacts on marine life both on the seabed (benthic fauna) and in the waters above (pelagic fauna). Mining even alters the water chemistry of the deep sea. The ISA has legal authority to regulate DSM beyond national jurisdictions. Established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the ISA is required to act on behalf of all humankind and ensure effective protection of the marine environment. Further, under the precautionary principle, ISA officials must consider a range of social and environmental impacts. This article describes draft ISA regulations that govern mineral exploitation on the seabed and argues these regulations fail to satisfy legal obligations under UNCLOS or properly account for scientific unknowns regarding deep sea ecology. The Article argues that a lack of transparency and mechanisms for meaningful stakeholder participation undermine core principles of ocean law. Current suction dredge mining regulations in the United States established under the Clean Water Act, and reflected in State regulation, may serve as an example for sub-jurisdictional regulation of environmentally harmful mining activities. The Article urges ISA Member States to seek a temporary DSM moratorium until the ISA can revise regulations to comply with international legal obligations, establish reliable ecological baselines, incorporate broader stakeholder participation, and harmonize ISA regulations with the new United Nations Treaty on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

An Investigation of the Reproductive Mode of the Pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides Linnaeus (Osteichthyes: Sparidae)

The majority of sparids studied have shown evidence of hermaphroditism. The reproductive mode of the pinfish was investigated using museum and field collections of pinfish (n = 974) distributed in size from 13 to 276 mm SL. The observed female to male sex ratio of 1.3:1.0 was not significantly different from uniformity. Males were distributed in size from 63 to 252 mm SL (x̄ = 127 mm); females were distributed from 57 to 276 mm (x̄ = 119 mm). Individuals of undetermined sex occurred to 178 mm SL. Although the mean lengths of the sexes differed significantly, overlapping length-frequency distributions suggested gonochoristic development. Gonadosomatic indices (GSI) indicated spawning occurs between October and March in pinfish. Contrary to the predominance of hermaphroditism in sparids, histological investigation of the gonads of 106 specimens supported gonochorism as the reproductive mode in pinfish

Empirically Measuring Transfer Distance for System Design and Operation

Classical machine learning approaches are sensitive to non-stationarity. Transfer learning can address non-stationarity by sharing knowledge from one system to another, however, in areas like machine prognostics and defense, data is fundamentally limited. Therefore, transfer learning algorithms have little, if any, examples from which to learn. Herein, we suggest that these constraints on algorithmic learning can be addressed by systems engineering. We formally define transfer distance in general terms and demonstrate its use in empirically quantifying the transferability of models. We consider the use of transfer distance in the design of machine rebuild procedures to allow for transferable prognostic models. We also consider the use of transfer distance in predicting operational performance in computer vision. Practitioners can use the presented methodology to design and operate systems with consideration for the learning theoretic challenges faced by component learning systems

Calibration strategies for use of the nanoDot OSLD in CT applications.

Aluminum oxide based optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD) have been recognized as a useful dosimeter for measuring CT dose, particularly for patient dose measurements. Despite the increasing use of this dosimeter, appropriate dosimeter calibration techniques have not been established in the literature; while the manufacturer offers a calibration procedure, it is known to have relatively large uncertainties. The purpose of this work was to evaluate two clinical approaches for calibrating these dosimeters for CT applications, and to determine the uncertainty associated with measurements using these techniques. Three unique calibration procedures were used to calculate dose for a range of CT conditions using a commercially available OSLD and reader. The three calibration procedures included calibration (a) using the vendor-provided method, (b) relative to a 120 kVp CT spectrum in air, and (c) relative to a megavoltage beam (implemented with 60 Co). The dose measured using each of these approaches was compared to dose measured using a calibrated farmer-type ion chamber. Finally, the uncertainty in the dose measured using each approach was determined. For the CT and megavoltage calibration methods, the dose measured using the OSLD nanoDot was within 5% of the dose measured using an ion chamber for a wide range of different CT scan parameters (80-140 kVp, and with measurements at a range of positions). When calibrated using the vendor-recommended protocol, the OSLD measured doses were on average 15.5% lower than ion chamber doses. Two clinical calibration techniques have been evaluated and are presented in this work as alternatives to the vendor-provided calibration approach. These techniques provide high precision for OSLD-based measurements in a CT environment

Mechanical design engineering. NASA/university advanced design program: Lunar Bulk Material Transport Vehicle

The design of a Lunar Bulk Material Transport Vehicle (LBMTV) is discussed. Goals set in the project include a payload of 50 cubic feet of lunar soil with a lunar of approximately 800 moon-pounds, a speed of 15 mph, and the ability to handle a grade of 20 percent. Thermal control, an articulated steering mechanism, a dump mechanism, a self-righting mechanism, viable power sources, and a probable control panel are analyzed. The thermal control system involves the use of small strip heaters to heat the housing of electronic equipment in the absence of sufficient solar radiation and multi-layer insulation during periods of intense solar radiation. The entire system uses only 10 W and weighs about 60 pounds, or 10 moon-pounds. The steering mechanism is an articulated steering joint at the center of the vehicle. It utilizes two actuators and yields a turning radius of 10.3 feet. The dump mechanism rotates the bulk material container through an angle of 100 degree using one actuator. The self-righting mechanism consists of two four bar linkages, each of which is powered by the same size actuator as the other linkages. The LBMTV is powered by rechargeable batteries. A running time of at least two hours is attained under a worst case analysis. The weight of the batteries is 100 pounds. A control panel consisting of feedback and control instruments is described. The panel includes all critical information necessary to control the vehicle remotely. The LBMTV is capable of handling many types of cargo. It is able to interface with many types of removable bulk material containers. These containers are made to interface with the three-legged walker, SKITTER. The overall vehicle is about 15 feet in length and has a weight of about 1000 pounds, or 170 lunar pounds