中国第15次北冰洋科学考察任务圆满完成 规模创历次之最

Core Insights - China's 15th Arctic scientific expedition, conducted by the "Snow Dragon 2" ship, has successfully completed its mission, marking the largest Arctic scientific investigation to date [1][3]. Group 1: Expedition Overview - The expedition involved four vessels: "Snow Dragon 2," "Polar," "Deep Sea One," and "Explorer Three," and was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources [1][3]. - The "Snow Dragon 2" and "Polar" ships conducted comprehensive marine environmental assessments and manned submersible support in the Chukchi Sea, Canadian Basin, and central Arctic regions [3][4]. Group 2: Scientific Achievements - Significant advancements were made in multi-disciplinary investigations and atmospheric-ice-ocean collaborative observations, enhancing synchronous observation capabilities in high-latitude Arctic regions [3]. - The expedition established real-time monitoring of ice drift and underwater hydrological and ecological changes, contributing to the understanding of seasonal variations and underlying mechanisms in the Arctic [3]. Group 3: Ecological Research - The expedition deployed multiple seabed biological imaging observation systems at various depths and time scales, obtaining extensive data on the ice edge zone [3]. - Observations captured significant peaks in subsurface chlorophyll, aiding in the understanding of the formation mechanisms of "sea snow" in the Arctic and laying the groundwork for studying the ecological responses of the ice edge zone to sea ice retreat [3]. Group 4: Deep-Sea Exploration - Under the support of the "Snow Dragon 2," the "Deep Sea One" successfully conducted China's first manned deep-sea dive in the Arctic ice zone, indicating a continuous enhancement of China's deep-sea exploration capabilities [4]. - Initial research revealed significant variations in benthic organism density, biodiversity, and individual size across distances of tens to hundreds of kilometers, providing valuable insights into the spatial distribution of polar deep-sea organisms and the impact of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems [4].