Core Points - The "Xuelong 2" is China's first domestically built polar research icebreaker, marking a significant advancement in the country's polar research capabilities [4] - The vessel completed its mission during China's 41st Antarctic expedition, which lasted 208 days and covered over 40,000 nautical miles [11] - The expedition's highlight was the first-ever autumn research in the Ross Sea ecosystem, extending traditional Antarctic research into harsher winter conditions [13] Group 1 - The public open day for the "Xuelong 2" attracted nearly 4,000 visitors, including approximately 2,800 individuals and 1,200 group visitors [1] - The open day event is scheduled to last for five days, allowing the public to engage with the research vessel [1] Group 2 - The expedition involved the completion of four cross-sections with a total of 24 comprehensive ocean survey stations, deployment of 34 various observation buoys, and collection of over 5,000 samples including water, sediment, biological, and sea ice samples [4][13] - The successful return of the "Xuelong 2" to Haikou signifies the completion of all research tasks set for the expedition [9][11]

Core Insights - The successful return of China's 41st Antarctic Expedition team marks a significant achievement in polar research and international collaboration [2][3] - The "Snow Dragon 2" ship completed a 208-day mission covering over 40,000 nautical miles, highlighting advancements in seasonal research capabilities [2][3] Research Findings - The expedition revealed distinct water stratification in the Ross Sea during autumn, with mixed layers up to 150 meters and unique cold water characteristics below [3] - Low-nutrient primary production was noted, but high biomass of zooplankton was found in the upper 200 meters of the ice-covered lakes, indicating ecological dynamics [3] - Dense populations of Antarctic krill and various bird and mammal species were observed, contributing to the understanding of the region's biodiversity [3] International Collaboration - The expedition involved collaboration with scientists from eight countries, enhancing global understanding and protection of polar regions [3] - The mission represents the longest single-ship operation in China's polar research history, fostering international scientific cooperation [3] Public Engagement - The "Snow Dragon 2" will be open to the public for five days, allowing visitors to explore various sections of the ship and learn about polar research [4][5] - The public event is organized by multiple governmental bodies, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in scientific endeavors [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese 41st Antarctic Expedition Team has successfully conducted its first autumn-winter voyage in the Ross Sea, focusing on ice research and yielding preliminary findings in marine biology and chemistry [1][7][17]. Group 1: Expedition Overview - The "Snow Dragon 2" icebreaker returned to China after completing its mission in the Ross Sea, where the team explored various forms of sea ice and their significance [1][2]. - The expedition provided a rare opportunity to observe the entire formation process of sea ice, which is typically difficult to encounter in previous Antarctic studies [4][6]. Group 2: Scientific Discoveries - The team conducted research across 24 selected stations, exceeding the initial plan of 18, covering shallow areas, ice-interstitial lakes, and rich krill resource zones [8][15]. - Significant findings include a decrease in the biomass of certain marine species, particularly the absence of brown algae and a decline in diatom populations, indicating potential ecological shifts [10][12]. - The discovery of a large number of zooplankton in deep water layers suggests changes in their distribution due to deep convection processes [12][13]. Group 3: Implications and Contributions - The expedition not only advanced scientific knowledge but also improved operational processes for Antarctic autumn oceanic work, enhancing the capabilities of the research team [15][17]. - The results contribute to a better understanding of the Antarctic ecosystem and fill gaps in field observations and experiments, aiding in the global understanding of climate change impacts [17].