China's Jiaolong Submersible Prepares for 46 Dives During 83rd Oceanic Voyage

Jiaolong, China's premier self-developed manned submersible, and its mother ship, Shenhai Yihao (Deep Sea No. 1), have reached the thermally active area of the South Atlantic, beginning the nation's 83rd ocean expedition. The announcement was made by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA) on Saturday.

Equipped with a range of traditional environmental survey tools, Jiaolong is set to conduct 46 dives during the expedition for marine biology environmental studies.

Jiaolong completed its first South Atlantic dive to a depth of 3,350 meters on January 27. During this dive, it discovered hydrothermal vent communities and a significant number of thermally tolerant organisms. It also carried out measurement and sample collection, acquiring specimens such as shrimp and deep-sea mussels.

COMRA reported that as of Wednesday, the submersible had successfully conducted eight dives and executed conductivity, temperature, and depth studies at various locations.

The 83rd expedition commenced on December 17, 2023, with Shenhai Yihao departing from Qingdao City in East China's Shandong Province. The ship is anticipated to return to the Qingdao port this coming May.

The journey features a team of 81 members hailing from 19 institutes and universities. The mission's primary scientific objectives include examining the relationship between mid-ocean ridge biodiversity and specific landforms, geographic zones of hydrothermal organisms, and the interconnectivity of biological species.

Sophie Wagner