text:  Several scientists and environmentalists have raised alarms over deep sea mining, saying that it could have ill effects on an underwater ecosystem that's still in many ways a mystery to us. Just last year, scientists identified about 5,000 brand new species in the Clarion-Clipperton zone. On the other hand, proponents of mining say the seafloor's rich resources are crucial for batteries and other parts of a clean energy transition. That includes rare earth minerals.