我国打造“冷泉宫”,探秘海底生命绿洲

Core Insights - The article discusses the exploration of deep-sea cold seeps, referred to as "deep-sea oases," which thrive without sunlight and host unique ecosystems [3][4][10] - China is constructing the world's first 2000-meter deep manned laboratory to study these ecosystems, aiming to unlock secrets related to climate change, energy, and the origins of life [5][10] Group 1: Cold Seep Ecosystem - Cold seeps are not truly "cold," with temperatures around 2°C to 4°C, and are characterized by the release of methane and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas hydrates [4][10] - The ecosystem relies on chemosynthetic microorganisms that convert methane into energy, supporting over 600 species, including tube worms and mussels, forming a "black food chain" [4][10] - Cold seep organisms grow slowly, with some tube worms living over 200 years, highlighting their significance as "deep-sea living fossils" [4][10] Group 2: Research Facility - The "Cold Seep Ecosystem Research Facility," led by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, has a total investment of 2.66 billion yuan and is expected to be completed by 2030 [5][6] - This facility will support six researchers for 30 days, allowing for in-situ experiments on methane leakage and biological gene sequencing [5][6] - The facility consists of a surface support ship, an underwater laboratory, and a fidelity simulation chamber, designed to operate under extreme conditions [5][6] Group 3: Importance of Research - The cold seep ecosystem is crucial for understanding climate dynamics, as methane leakage from these areas accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, while 90% is consumed by microorganisms [10] - The South China Sea is one of the four major regions for gas hydrates, with an estimated resource of 74.4 billion tons of oil equivalent [10] - Research in cold seeps may provide insights into the origins of life on Earth and potential extraterrestrial life, as well as new biotechnological resources for pharmaceuticals [10] Group 4: Recent Discoveries - China has identified seven cold seep areas, with significant discoveries made by the "Haimen" submersible in the South China Sea, including two active cold seep vents [11] - These vents are located at a depth of 1500 meters and cover an area of over 40,000 square meters, supporting diverse marine life [11]