ISO 22787:2023
(Main)Marine environmental impact assessment (MEIA) — Technical specifications for marine biotic surveys in the international seabed area — General principles
Marine environmental impact assessment (MEIA) — Technical specifications for marine biotic surveys in the international seabed area — General principles
This document provides general technical recommendations for components of marine biotic surveys in the international seabed area, including station and survey line design, sampling strategies, survey items, equipment for survey and analysis, and sample preservation and analysis. This document is applicable to marine biotic surveys in the international seabed area.
Évaluation d'impact sur le milieu marin — Spécifications techniques pour les relevés biotiques dans la zone internationale des fonds marins — Principes généraux
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Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 22787
First edition
2023-07
Marine environmental impact
assessment (MEIA) — Technical
specifications for marine biotic
surveys in the international seabed
area — General principles
Évaluation d'impact sur le milieu marin — Spécifications techniques
pour les relevés biotiques dans la zone internationale des fonds
marins — Principes généraux
Reference number
ISO 22787:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
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© ISO 2023
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Specifications and recommendations . 5
4.1 Station and survey line design . 5
4.2 Sampling strategy . 5
4.2.1 Interannual variation . 5
4.2.2 Intra-annual variation . 5
4.2.3 Seasonal variation . . 6
4.2.4 Diurnal variation . 6
4.3 Sample types and sampling methods . 6
4.3.1 Water samples . 6
4.3.2 Sediment samples . 6
4.3.3 Net samples . 7
4.3.4 Megafauna and demersal scavenger samples . 7
4.3.5 Video and photography data . 7
4.3.6 Acoustic data . . 7
4.4 Survey items . 8
4.4.1 Measured parameters . 8
4.4.2 Environmental parameters . 8
4.5 Research vessel facilities . 9
4.5.1 General laboratory . . 9
4.5.2 Radioisotope laboratory . 9
4.5.3 Microbiological laboratory . 9
4.5.4 Storage for samples and reagents . 9
4.5.5 Other facilities . 9
4.6 Equipment for survey and analysis . 9
4.6.1 Main survey gear . 9
4.6.2 Main analytical instruments and equipment . 10
4.7 Sampling . 10
4.7.1 Recommendations for sampling . 10
4.7.2 Sample preservation . 11
4.7.3 Records .12
4.8 Sample analysis .12
4.8.1 Taxonomic identification .12
4.8.2 Count and quantitative analysis .12
4.8.3 Food web . 12
4.8.4 Sample preservation .12
4.9 Analysis of video and photography data .12
4.10 Quality control . 13
Annex A (informative) Examples of sheets for samples and data collection .14
Bibliography .20
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
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electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 8, Ship and Marine technology,
Subcommittee SC 13, Marine technology.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
Introduction
[6]
In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994
Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the UNCLOS, the International Seabed Authority
(ISA) has developed regulations such as those contained in References [7], [8] and [9]. These regulations
include provisions for contractors working in mineral exploration in the area to gather oceanographic
and environmental baseline data and to establish baselines. These data and baselines are then used to
assess the likely effects of the programme of activities under the plan of work for exploration on the
marine environment.
Since high-quality environmental baseline data are a prerequisite for the correct assessment of
the environmental impacts from deep-sea mining, the ISA Legal and Technical Commission issued
Recommendations for the guidance of the contractors for the assessment of the possible environmental
[10]
impacts arising from exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Area in 2001, one year after the
[7]
approval of the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area. With
[8,9]
the publication of two additional regulations on exploration in 2010 and 2012, it was deemed
necessary to develop an environmental guideline applicable to the exploration for various deep-sea
resources.
Therefore, in 2013, ISA published Recommendations for the guidance of contractors for the assessment
[11]
of the possible environmental impacts arising from exploration for marine minerals in the Area.
[12] [13]
This guidance was updated in 2020 and 2022. However, the technical specifications and
recommendations for environmental baseline surveys remain unclear, especially for marine biotic
surveys.
In the context described above, this document provides general provisions and technical
recommendations for conducting marine biological surveys, mainly for marine biological baseline
surveys in the exploration of deep-sea solid mineral resources in the international seabed area.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 22787:2023(E)
Marine environmental impact assessment (MEIA) —
Technical specifications for marine biotic surveys in the
international seabed area — General principles
1 Scope
This document provides general technical recommendations for components of marine biotic surveys
in the international seabed area, including station and survey line design, sampling strategies, survey
items, equipment for survey and analysis, and sample preservation and analysis.
This document is applicable to marine biotic surveys in the international seabed area.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
international seabed area
seabed, ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction
[SOURCE: UNCLOS, 1982, Article 1.1, modified — “the” has been removed from the definition.]
3.2
environmental baseline
sufficient information collected from the exploration area to describe the natural values of
environmental factors and biocompetence succession without being directly affected by intense human
activities, such as exploration and exploitation of deep-sea resources
[SOURCE: ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.1, Annex II, 2020, modified — the definition has been shortened. ]
3.3
chlorophyll a
pigment in the cells of autotrophic plants, the main substance that absorbs and transmits light energy
during photosynthesis in plants
3.4
sediment chlorophyll a
chlorophyll a (3.3) in the phytoplankton debris and humus that settle on the seabed, providing indicative
information on the output flux, mixing and degradation of the active components of the particulate
organic component of the seafloor
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
3.5
primary productivity
ability of autotrophic organisms to produce organic matter through photosynthesis
Note 1 to entry: Primary productivity is usually calculated as the mass of the organic matter (usually expressed
in organic carbon) per unit area (or volume) per unit time (year or day), corresponding to the primary production
in the same area (or volume) over that time.
3.6
microorganism
group of tiny unicellular or multicellular primary organisms with simple structures and a variety of
physiological characters,
EXAMPLE 1 Prokaryotes, such as bacteria and archaea.
EXAMPLE 2 Eukaryotes, such as fungi (yeasts and moulds), protozoa and microscopic algae.
EXAMPLE 3 Noncellular organisms, such as viruses, viroids and prions.
3.7
plankton
group of organisms lacking advanced locomotive organs, with no or weak mobility, floating in the water
layer and often moving with the flow, including phytoplankton and zooplankton
Note 1 to entry: According to individual size, plankton can be divided into the following types:
— megaplankton: plankton with a diameter larger than 20 cm;
— macroplankton: plankton with a diameter of 2 cm to 20 cm;
— mesoplankton: plankton with a diameter of 200 μm to 20 mm;
— microplankton: plankton with a diameter of 20 μm to 200 μm;
— nanoplankton: plankton with a diameter of 2 μm to 20 μm;
— picoplankton: plankton with a diameter less than 2 μm, including heterotrophic bacteria and autotrophic
organisms, here referring to photosynthetic picoplankton.
3.8
megafauna
fauna clearly visible in photographs of the seabed
Note 1 to entry: Since the resolution of the camera varies, the benthic fauna larger than 1 cm are generally
considered megafauna.
3.9
macrofauna
animal retained on a 250-μm sieve, typically sorted and identified with a microscope
EXAMPLE Polychaetes, bivalves, isopods and tanaids.
[SOURCE: ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.1, Annex II, 2020]
3.10
metazoan meiofauna
small invertebrate retained on a 32-µm sieve (except foraminifera), typically sorted and identified with
a microscope
EXAMPLE Nematodes, harpacticoid copepods, ostracods, kinorhynchs, tardigrades and gastrotrichs.
[SOURCE: ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.1, Annex II, 2020]
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
3.11
nodule fauna
fauna attached to the surface and crevices of polymetallic nodules
3.12
demersal scavenger
animal that eats waste products and dead remains of other animals and plants that it did not kill itself
[SOURCE: ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.1, Annex II, 2020, modified — the term has been made singular.]
3.13
marine mammal
viviparous vertebrate, with the characteristics of lactation, pulmonary respiration, constant body
temperature, streamlining, and forelimbs specialized as fins
3.14
nekton
fish, squids, crustaceans and marine mammals that are active swimmers in the open ocean environment
[SOURCE: ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.1, Annex II, 2020]
3.15
environmental DNA
eDNA
DNA molecule in the environment, including water and sediment, or exfoliated tissues and excreta
released from organisms into the environment, that can reflect their current and past biological
activities and existence in the environment
3.16
seabird
bird that is fully adapted to the marine environment in terms of morphology and behaviour and can
forage in salt water
3.17
human-occupied vehicle
HOV
self-propelled submersible with its own energy, life support and accessory system
Note 1 to entry: A HOV can carry marine scientists into the deep ocean to investigate the seabed. It also includes
two manipulators that can be operated to collect samples.
3.18
remote operated vehicle
ROV
underwater vehicle that is remotely controlled by the connected cable transmitting signals and power
from the support vehicle
3.19
autonomous underwater vehicle
AUV
unpiloted and cableless submersible that can operate according to predetermined procedures or adapt
to environmental changes
3.20
conductivity, temperature and depth profiler
CTD profiler
system for measuring conductivity (an indicator of salinity), temperature and depth (defined from
pressure measurements)
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
3.21
conductivity, temperature and depth rosette water sampler
CTD rosette water sampler
rosette sampler with CTD profiler (3.20) attached and at least 12 Niskin bottles to sample larger volumes
of sea water
3.22
lander system
system equipped with camera and trap deployed to the seafloor to observe animals in situ or recover
specimens to the surface
3.23
deep towed camera system
imaging system that consists of still camera and video camera within a frame and is towed over the
seabed
Note 1 to entry: A deep towed camera system can be used for collecting high quality video and still images over
relatively large areas from the seabed.
3.24
box-corer
sediment sampler that has a detachable, square, open-ended steel sample box attached to a weighted
column with a removable spade closure for the bottom of the box
Note 1 to entry: According to whether it is guided by underwater television, it can be divided into the following
two types:
— box-corer not guided with underwater television;
— box-corer guided with underwater television (TV box-corer).
3.25
multicorer
sediment sampler that consists of an outer framework and weighted collecting head of plastic core
tubes hanging from a water-filled hydraulic damper
Note 1 to entry: According to whether it is guided by underwater television, it can be divided into the following
two types:
— multicorer not guided with underwater television;
— multicorer guided with underwater television (TV multicorer).
3.26
epibenthic sledge
sled equipped with a camera and environmental sensor system to collect epibenthic fauna and larvae
by towing on the seabed
3.27
plankton net
sampler used for collecting plankton samples, equipped with either multiple nets or single
3.28
multinet
sampler equipped with multiple nets for sampling planktons from multiple water layers by opening and
closing the nets in succession
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
4 Specifications and recommendations
4.1 Station and survey line design
The recommendations for station and survey line design are as follows:
a) Biological sampling strategy: High-resolution bathymetric and seabed topographic maps as well as
a robust statistical design should be used when preparing the biological sampling strategy, taking
into account variability in the environment.
b) Representative samples: Sample collection should include fauna which is representative of
the variability of habitats, such as different bottom topography, depth, seabed and sediment
characteristics, targeting the water column and the mineral resource.
c) Polymetallic nodules: For each block of polymetallic nodules, at least four stations should be
surveyed. Surveys of chlorophyll a, primary productivity and plankton should be carried out with
marine chemical and hydrological surveys synchronously. In benthic surveys, the stations for
box-corer and multicorer sampling should be the same. For each station, box-corer and multicorer
sampling should be performed at least twice to generate replicates for the analysis of macrofauna
and meiofauna. A benthic survey should be carried out with a sediment survey synchronously.
d) Cobalt-rich crust: A survey of the abundance and diversity of megafauna in each seamount of
the cobalt-rich ferromanganese crust region should be initially based on at least four transects
(located on different sides of the seamount), which should include the summit, slope and base of the
seamounts. The box-corer and multicorer sampling stations should include the summits and bases
of four different sides of the seamount. Chlorophyll a, primary production and plankton should also
be investigated on four different sides of each seamount, and three sampling stations should be set
on the summit, slope and base of each seamount.
e) Polymetallic sulfides: The sampling station should include an active hydrothermal vent area
[15]
and an adjacent inactive hydrothermal vent area. In the active hydrothermal area, 5-10
sampling stations should be arranged along the gradient of temperature and hydrothermal fluid.
In the inactive hydrothermal vent area, the sampling sites should include mineralized sites,
nonmineralized sites and hydrothermal deposition sediment areas.
f) Application of underwater vehicles: If a remote operated vehicle (ROV) or a human-occupied
vehicle (HOV) is used for the investigation, a push-corer can be used to collect sediment samples,
a manipulator arm can be used to collect nodule fauna and megafauna, and a pump can be used to
collect demersal fish and scavengers. If an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is used for the
investigation, it is recommended to carry out a cruise along the survey line at a set height off the
bottom (optimally up to 3 m off the bottom, with a maximum limit of up to 5 m off the bottom) and
to take photographs and video.
4.2 Sampling strategy
4.2.1 Interannual variation
For most environmental baselines with interannual variability, observations at the same site during
similar seasons or under similar environmental conditions should be conducted for at least three years
to assess interannual variability and increase the chance of capturing periodic events, especially events
that can cause periodic changes in environmental baselines, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation
[16-19]
(ENSO). Data collected in years prior to the publication of this document can be used to assess
interannual variability.
4.2.2 Intra-annual variation
In each block, at least one station for time-series measurement should be established to observe the
temporal variability of environmental parameters, such as chlorophyll a, primary productivity, particle
flux and hydrodynamics, at different times of the year to cover seasonal and monthly changes. The
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
seasonal and monthly changes in chlorophyll a and primary productivity can be measured by ocean
colour remote sensing.
4.2.3 Seasonal variation
For parameters that are not expected to show obvious seasonal variations, such as sediment
characteristics and the biogeochemical environment of deeper sediment layers, the observation results
of different seasons should be verified at least once at the same site.
4.2.4 Diurnal variation
[20]
For zooplankton and other animals with obvious diurnal movement ability, samples should be
collected at the same station during the day and at night.
4.3 Sample types and sampling methods
4.3.1 Water samples
Water samples for surveys of chlorophyll a (above a 200 m depth), microorganisms, picoplankton,
microplankton, and environmental DNA (eDNA) should be collected using the conductivity, temperature
and depth (CTD) rosette water sampler. The vertical sampling resolution can be followed as in Table 1.
For water samples to be used for the measurement of primary productivity, the sampling depth should
be set according to the recommendations for the measurement of primary productivity.
Table 1 — Water sampling depth
Dimensions in metres
Type Sampling depth
Area for polymetallic nodule 2, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 500, 800, 1 000, 2 000, 3 000, 4 000 (5 000), 100
exploration from seabed, 50 from seabed, near-bottom layer
Area for Depth 2, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 500, 800, 1 000, 2 000,
cobalt-rich
<3 000 m 100 from seabed, 50 from seabed, near-bottom layer
crust
Depth 2, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 500, 800, 1 000, 2 000, 3 000, 4 000 (5 000),
exploration
≥3 000 m 100 from seabed, 50 from seabed, near-bottom layer
Area for polymetallic 2, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 500, 800, 1 000, 2 000, 300 from seabed,
sulfide exploration
200 from seabed, 100 from seabed, 50 from seabed, near-bottom layer
NOTE During water sampling, the data of conductivity, temperature, depth and dissolved oxygen can
be obtained synchronously. The sampling depth can be adjusted appropriately, especially for the layers of the
thermocline, subsurface chlorophyll a maximum depth and oxygen minimum depths. For areas with water depth
less than 5 000 m, the sampling depth can be adjusted accordingly.
4.3.2 Sediment samples
4.3.2.1 A box-corer or TV box-corer with an opening area of 50 cm × 50 cm should be used for
[21,22]
sampling macrofauna to meet statistical requirements. Polymetallic nodules on the surface of the
sample are used for the analysis of nodule fauna. Before collecting biological samples from nodules, the
attached organisms on the nodules should be photographed, described and preserved on site, and the
overlying water and sediment samples of the whole box-corer should be used for species identification
and quantitative analysis of the macrofauna. The sediment sampling procedure should follow the
recommendations in ISO 23040:2021, 16.4.
4.3.2.2 Sediment samples for surveys of metazoan meiofauna, foraminifera, microorganisms,
sediment chlorophyll a and eDNA can be collected by (TV) multicorers and push corers. (TV) multicorers
should be installed with more than 8 sampling tubes, with lengths greater than 60 cm and diameters
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ISO 22787:2023(E)
[23,24]
no less than 9,5 cm. The sediment sampling pr
...
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