5,000 new Pacific species discovered, mining poses risk.
More than 5,000 new species have been identified in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean, with 92% of them new to science. The CCZ is the world's largest mineral exploration area, with seabed deposits of nickel, manganese, copper, zinc and cobalt. The International Seabed Authority will start accepting applications from companies that want to mine the ocean's floor in July. Researchers warn that more investigation needs to be conducted to assess how to protect the ecosystems before mining begins.