Multi-metal tuberculosis is an important deep-sea reserves of mineral resources, mining environmental impact which it will bring? In recent days, China 38 ocean voyage expedition team site selection and environment 1000 m level test polymetallic nodule mining area in South China Sea background check.
Following the "Dragon" manned submersible on May 10, the second dive of the second section of the Chinese Ocean 38 voyage was completed, and the regular investigation on the 11th also officially ended with the deployment of the long-term anchor observation system. The scientific research team used the "Jilong" and conventional survey methods to collect samples of water, suspended particulate matter, sediments, and organisms from sea surface to seabed at different depths to observe and understand the impact of mining on the marine environment.
A 15-layer seawater sample surveys the current state of the marine chemical environment. Yan Lihua, an expedition researcher and member of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration, said that four sections of the temperature and depth gauge (CTD) water collector were deployed in this section, from the sea surface to the offshore bottom about 100 meters from the seabed. 14-15 layers of water samples were collected and data on seawater temperature, salinity and depth were obtained. Through on-site analysis and preservation of samples brought back to the shore for laboratory testing, combined with previous surveys to assess the current state of the marine chemical environment.
Long-term anchor observation systems observe ocean hydrological and chemical parameters. Researcher Yang Chenghao, an associate researcher at the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration, said that the system observes changes in temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, etc. over the course of a year, while observing surface currents and bottom currents, and through sediment traps. Samples of marine sedimentation particulate matter were collected. Including the anchor system deployed on the 11th, two sets of this section were deployed in the north and northeast of the South China Sea.
A large volume in-situ water collection filter is used to understand the concentration of suspended particulate matter. Yan Lihua said that this section has completed a large-volume in-situ water collection filter operation, filtering 200-300 liters of water in situ in the deep sea, recovering the filtered membrane, cryopreservation, and bringing it back to the onshore laboratory for suspended particulate matter. Concentration and composition determination.
Multi-tube and box sediment sampling was performed. Xue Chunlei, an expedition member and engineer of the National Deep Sea Base Management Center, said that this section has carried out two multi-tube sediments and near-bottom seawater sampling, two box-type sediment sampling, and obtained a large number of seabed sediments and near-bottom seawater samples. , providing valuable samples for sedimentary geology, microbiology and small benthic ecology research.
Deep sea biotraps (Lander), plankton vertical trawls and layered trawls investigate deep sea biodistribution. Dr. Sun Dong from the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration said that two deep sea trap traps were completed in this segment, seven plankton vertical and layered trawl operations, and a large number of deep-sea benthic and plankton samples were obtained. It lays the foundation for understanding the distribution, species diversity and ecological characteristics of these two types of deep-sea creatures in this region.
Accurate water, sediment and biological sampling of the “Bianlong†submarine. The submarine Tang Jialing said that the "Jilong" is equipped with high-fidelity water collectors, pushcore (intubation) and other tools, with a flexible mechanical arm, in the true sense of the realization of near-bottom water samples, minerals and biological sampling. At the same time, some environmental parameter measurements and in-situ testing of civil mechanics were completed, and scientists were equipped with near-bottom observations to capture a large number of precious video materials on the seabed, which increased the intuitive experience of the deep sea environment.
Yang Yaomin, the chief scientist of this segment, said that through the sampling of different tools, some more comprehensive environmental background data of mining test pre-selection areas were obtained, and the impact of deep sea mining on the deep sea environment will be evaluated by comparison with the marine environment during and after the test. . This segment work is critical to understanding the future impact of polymetallic nodule mining on the marine environment.
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