Core Insights - The article highlights the achievements of China's 41st Antarctic expedition aboard the "Xuelong 2" ship, emphasizing the significance of polar marine research and the advancements in clean energy systems at the newly established Qinling Station [1][4][10]. Group 1: Antarctic Expedition Achievements - The "Xuelong 2" ship completed a record-long journey of over 80,000 nautical miles, marking the longest expedition in China's polar exploration history [1]. - The expedition successfully established the Qinling Station, which features a new energy system that can achieve over 60% clean energy usage, saving over 100 tons of fossil fuel annually [4][5]. - The team conducted the first autumn scientific survey in the Southern Ocean, completing 24 comprehensive marine investigation stations and collecting over 5,000 samples [5][7]. Group 2: Environmental and Biological Discoveries - The expedition discovered significant biological activity in the "ice-interstitial lakes," which are crucial for the survival of plankton during winter [7]. - New microbial species were identified, including six new genera and seven new species of Antarctic bacteria, indicating potential for future medical and cosmetic applications [8]. - The expedition retrieved sediment cores from the Amundsen Sea, preserving geological history that could inform about Earth's climate evolution over thousands to millions of years [10]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The findings underscore the interconnectedness of human life and polar ecosystems, highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting polar regions in the context of global climate change [10][11].