中国第15次北冰洋科学考察返航 首次在北极冰区实现载人深潜

Core Insights - The successful completion of China's 15th Arctic scientific expedition, marked by the return of the "Xuelong 2" icebreaker to Shanghai, highlights advancements in deep-sea exploration capabilities [1] - The expedition involved significant multi-disciplinary investigations in the Chukchi Sea, Canadian Basin, and central Arctic Ocean, achieving important progress in ocean environment assessments and collaborative observations [1] - Initial research findings indicate 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 Arctic deep-sea ecosystems and the impact of climate change [2] Group 1 - The "Xuelong 2" and "Jidi" vessels conducted comprehensive marine environment assessments and supported manned submersible operations during the expedition [1] - The "Shenhai 1" vessel successfully performed China's first manned deep dive in the Arctic ice zone using the "Jiaolong" submersible [1] - The expedition is noted as the largest Arctic scientific investigation organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, involving four vessels [1] Group 2 - The leader of the expedition, Zhang Beichen, emphasized the continuous enhancement of China's deep-sea entry and exploration capabilities [1] - The research supports understanding the spatial distribution patterns of deep-sea benthic organisms and assessing the effects of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems [2]