Core Viewpoint - The development of real-time buoys is crucial for continuous monitoring of marine environmental factors, addressing the challenges of data transmission delays and enhancing marine disaster warning capabilities [3][4][6]. Group 1: Real-time Buoy Technology - Real-time buoys are essential for deep-sea environmental monitoring, providing continuous, accurate, and multi-parameter observations [4][6]. - Traditional buoys face data transmission delays, typically storing data for about a year before retrieval, limiting their application in real-time marine forecasting [4][6]. - The introduction of real-time buoys transforms data viewing from "delayed playback" to "live streaming," significantly improving the timeliness of marine data [4][7]. Group 2: Applications and Benefits - Real-time buoys have vast applications in marine disaster warning, enabling real-time monitoring of phenomena like internal waves and tsunamis, thus providing timely and accurate information for disaster prevention [6][7]. - They also support environmental monitoring by offering foundational data on the spread of marine pollutants, aiding in environmental protection efforts [6]. Group 3: Development and Testing - The domestically developed real-time buoy system has successfully undergone sea trials, demonstrating stability and reliability during extreme weather conditions, such as Typhoon "Yuan Gui" in 2021 [8][9]. - The system integrates various domestically produced components, marking significant progress in the localization of real-time buoy technology [9][10]. Group 4: Technological Advancements - The research team has achieved breakthroughs in several key technologies, including low-power satellite communication and deep-water pressure-resistant antennas, facilitating the transition from imitation to innovation in buoy technology [11]. - The real-time communication buoys developed are characterized by their simple structure, high reliability, and cost-effectiveness, positioning them among the leading technologies in the country [11]. Group 5: Future Plans - The research team aims to expand the operational capabilities of real-time buoys, evolving them into comprehensive observation platforms with capabilities for monitoring, presence, and early warning [12]. - The advancement of real-time buoy technology is expected to drive the development of related industrial chains and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities [12].

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]

Core Viewpoint - The "Xuelong 2" icebreaker has successfully completed its mission for China's 41st Antarctic expedition, covering over 40,000 nautical miles and marking significant milestones in Antarctic research and logistics [1][4]. Summary by Sections Mission Overview - The "Xuelong 2" embarked on its journey from Guangzhou on November 1 of last year, with the mission divided into five distinct segments, each focusing on different tasks [1][2]. Segment Details - The first segment involved navigating to Antarctica to assist the "Xuelong" icebreaker with logistics at Zhongshan Station, completing personnel and material transfers by early December [1]. - The second segment included a journey from Zhongshan Station to the Ross Sea, where it aided the "Yongsheng" vessel in icebreaking operations, concluding with a return to Lyttelton, New Zealand by late December [1][2]. - The third segment commenced after picking up ocean team members in Lyttelton on January 9, heading to the Amundsen Sea and completing related oceanographic tasks by mid-March [2]. - The fourth segment began in late March, focusing on the autumn ocean joint survey in the Ross Sea, which was completed by April 19, leading to the start of the fifth segment [2]. Achievements - Throughout the expedition, "Xuelong 2" achieved several firsts, including the first cargo transfer for the "Xuelong" and the first autumn ocean operations in Antarctica [4]. - The total duration of the mission exceeded seven months, making it the longest single-ship operation in the history of China's Antarctic research [4].

Group 1 - The Deep Sea Research Institute has celebrated its 9th anniversary and awarded medals to its first batch of deep-sea divers, highlighting their contributions to deep-sea exploration [1] - The institute operates two manned submersibles, "Deep Sea Warrior" and "Fighter," with a total of 25 divers, averaging 32 years of age, primarily from engineering backgrounds [1] - A total of 1,204 dives have been conducted by the divers, with "Deep Sea Warrior" achieving 820 dives and "Fighter" 384 dives, including 25 dives to depths exceeding 10,000 meters [2] Group 2 - "Deep Sea Warrior" has set multiple records, including 12 dives in 8 days, while "Fighter" made history with 8 consecutive dives to depths of 10,000 meters [2] - The deep-sea exploration has led to significant discoveries, including two Ming Dynasty shipwrecks in the South China Sea and the first-ever deep-sea rock samples from depths of 10,000 meters [2] - The "Fighter" submersible has focused on deep-sea areas greater than 6,000 meters, conducting international collaborative dives in major oceanic trenches, yielding valuable scientific samples and data [3]

Core Viewpoint - The "Marine Science and Development" parallel forum at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum highlights the acceleration of marine science into a big science era, showcasing significant achievements in China's marine basic research and equipment development [1][2]. Group 1: Forum Overview - The forum was co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Beijing Municipal Government [2]. - Key officials, including the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Deputy Director of the National Natural Science Foundation, emphasized the importance of marine science for global sustainable development and the need for enhanced technological innovation [2][3]. Group 2: Future Directions - The Ministry of Science and Technology plans to strengthen top-level design and overall planning for marine technology innovation, support basic research, accelerate key technology breakthroughs, and promote the application of marine scientific achievements [2]. - The National Natural Science Foundation will enhance the layout of basic research, promote the cultivation of young talents, and deepen international scientific collaboration [2][3]. Group 3: Contributions from Academia - Beijing aims to leverage its top research institutions and innovative enterprises to advance marine technology innovation and international cooperation [3]. - Peking University will continue to support marine science development through breakthroughs in basic research and international academic exchanges [3]. Group 4: International Collaboration - Experts from various countries discussed cutting-edge topics such as deep-sea ecology and international cooperation, calling for expanded international scientific collaboration to promote sustainable marine development [3][5]. - A youth roundtable was held, where young scientists from multiple countries proposed ideas for future marine exploration and international governance [5].