What is a possible future source of minerals strewn across large areas of the ocean basins?

A possible future source of minerals in ocean basins is polymetallic nodules, which are found on the seafloor and contain valuable metals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These nodules form over millions of years and are abundant in certain regions, such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean. As land-based mineral resources become depleted, deep-sea mining may become more attractive, leading to increased interest in harvesting these nodules. However, this raises environmental concerns regarding the impact on marine ecosystems.