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. In this study, ship- and autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV)-based multibeamdata from the German ferromanganese-nodule (Mn-nodule) license area in theClarion–Clipperton Zone (CCZ; eastern Pacific) are linked to ground-truthdata from optical imaging. Photographs obtained by an AUV enablesemi-quantitative assessments of nodule coverage at a spatial resolution inthe range of meters. Together with high-resolution AUV bathymetry, thisrevealed a correlation of small-scale terrain variations (  5  m horizontally,  1  m vertically) with nodule coverage. In thepresented data set, increased nodule coverage could be correlated with slopes >  1.8 ∘ and concave terrain. On a more regional scale, factors suchas the geological setting (existence of horst and graben structures, sedimentthickness, outcropping basement) and influence of bottom currents seem toplay an essential role for the spatial variation of nodule coverage and therelated hard substrate habitat. AUV imagery was also successfully employed to map the distributionof resettled sediment following a disturbance and sediment cloudgeneration during a sampling deployment of an epibenthicsledge. Data from before and after the “disturbance” allowa direct assessment of the impact. Automated image processinganalyzed the nodule coverage at the seafloor, revealing noduleblanketing by resettling of suspended sediment within 16 h afterthe disturbance. The visually detectable impact was spatiallylimited to a maximum of 100  m distance from the disturbancetrack, downstream of the bottom water current. A correlation withhigh-resolution AUV bathymetry reveals that the blanketing patternvaries in extent by tens of meters, strictly following thebathymetry, even in areas of only slightly undulating seafloor( 1  m vertical change). These results highlight the importance of detailed terrain knowledgewhen engaging in resource assessment studies for nodule abundanceestimates and defining mineable areas. At the same time, it showsthe importance of high-resolution mapping for detailed benthichabitat studies that show a heterogeneity at scales of 10 to100  m . Terrain knowledge is also needed to determine thescale of the impact by seafloor sediment blanketing during miningoperations.

Understanding Mn-nodule distribution and evaluation of related deep-sea mining impacts using AUV-based hydroacoustic and optical data