Jiaolong takes hydrothermal fluid in Indian Ocean

[JSCh]

Jiaolong takes hydrothermal fluid in Indian Ocean
Source:Xinhua Published: 2015-1-3 11:52:42

China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong took 300 milliliters of hydrothermal fluid in two active hydrothermal vents and other scientific samples at the seabed of southwestern Indian Ocean on Friday.

The temperature of one active hydrothermal vent, which Jiaolong measured with a special probe in its iron hand, was 352 degree Celsius, said Yu Hongjun, chief commander of the expedition.

"This is a big step for Jiaolong as this is the first time the submersible did it," said Yu.

Detailed information and samples that Jiaolong collected will be very important for China's future polymetallic sulfide study and other scientific research, said Tao Chunhui, chief scientist of the expedition.

Besides, Jiaolong gathered 1.8 kg of sulfide, 2.3 kg of basalt, 15 spiral shells, one stalked barnacle and 8 liters of deep-sea water in this dive.

"We saw that lots of active hydrothermal vents alternated with inactive ones in this area." said Fu Wentao, pilot of Jiaolong, who celebrated his 32nd birthday in the dive.

As the topography of the polymetallic sulfide area was complicated, it was very hard to find a proper place for the submersible to rest, Fu said.

"The temperature of active hydrothermal vents is more than 300 degree Celsius, so I must keep the submersible away from the vents but I also need to get the submersible as close as possible to the vents to measure the temperatures and get samples," Fu said.

Hydrothermal sulfide is a kind of sea-bed deposit containing copper, zinc and precious metals such as gold and silver. Those metals formed sulfides after chemical reactions and settled at the seabed in "chimney vents."

Being on a 120-day expedition in southwest Indian Ocean, Jiaolong is scheduled to dive 20 times to study polymetallic sulfides, biological diversity, hydrothermal microbes and genetic resources.

China's deep sea manned submersible Jiaolong collects samples on a hydrothermal vent in the Indian Ocean, Jan. 2, 2015. Jiaolong carried out the first dive on a mission to study active hydrothermal vent in the southwestern Indian Ocean on Jan. 2. It was the first time for the submersible to take the second batch of pilot trainees in the diving, which was intended to enable the trainees to learn some skills of submersible operation in active hydrothermal vent and collect samples of hydrothermal fluid, sulfide, rocks, sediment and water. (Xinhua/National Deep Sea Center)

 

[JSCh]

Jiaolong collects perfect 'chimney vent' in Indian Ocean
Xinhua, January 4, 2015

China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong collected a perfect "chimney vent" in the seabed of southwestern Indian Ocean on Saturday.

"Chimney vent", also known as hydrothermal sulfide, is one kind of seabed deposit containing copper, zinc and precious metal such as gold and silver. Those kinds of metal formed sulfide after chemical reaction and came to rest in the seabed in "chimney vent."

With several of mussels and spiral shells living on it, the "chimney vent" that Jiaolong collected was about 40-centimeter-high and 15-centimeter-wide, said Li Xiangyang, assistant chief commander of the mission.

"This is a perfect chimney vent for biologists and I believe there are lots of microorganisms integrated with it," said Xiao Xiang, professor with Shanghai Jiaotong University. "I am so excited about it."

Study of microorganisms is the base of researching ecosystem in hydrothermal areas, as microorganisms are nutrition resources of advanced organisms, Xiao said.

This "chimney vent" is very important for studying organisms in hydrothermal areas, which live in a completely dark world with rank poison, high-temperature and high-pressure, Xiao said.

The special genes of these organisms have great economic and scientific values, Xiao said.

The temperature of hydrothermal fluid flowing out of the collected "chimney vent" is 145 degrees Celsius, said Tang Jialing, who piloted Jiaolong in this dive.

Jiaolong also gathered 4.7 kg of sulfide, 39 kg of basalt, 32 spiral shells and 37 mussels.

Jiaolong, named after a mythical dragon, is on a 120-day expedition in the southwest Indian Ocean. It has planned to conduct 20 dives during the four-month period to research polymetallic sulfide, biological diversity, hydrothermal microbes and genetic resources in the area.

 

[Keel]

Good job Jiaolong!

We are building more deep sea submersibles suitable for our needs

China to build 4,500-meter manned submersible
Updated: 2013-09-17 15:34
(Xinhua)

Chinese scientists have launched a program to build a new manned submersible expected to dive as deep as 4,500 meters and capable of carrying out scientific research on a majority of the earth's seabeds.

The program was revealed by Hu Zhen with China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, who is in charge of the technology development of the submersible program under the Ministry of Science and Technology, in an interview on board the Xiangyanghong 09, carrier boat of the Jiaolong submersible. The Jiaolong has dived successfully to a depth of 7,062 meters, ranking China among the world's most advanced countries in the deep-sea submersible field.

Upon completing overall maintenance of the Jiaolong, Hu and his colleagues are scheduled to undertake study on developing a second deep-sea diving vehicle for the country's seabed research.

The country's first submersible, Jiaolong, has successfully carried out 73 deep-sea dives so far, Hu said, noting that its operations have become easier over time as the submersible has grown more reliable and stable.

The Jiaolong will soon be handed over to the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, and at that time study will focus on key technologies involved in the 4,500-meter submersible, the scientist told Xinhua.

According to Hu, the key parts of the new submersible, such as robotic arms and a high-pressure crew-compartment made of titanium alloy, will be developed independently by Chinese scientists.

The Jiaolong can reach as many as 99.8 percent of all seabeds on Earth, and the new submersible is expected to be able to patrol most seabeds, including those in the South China Sea, Hu said.

The second submersible will have a number of new features compared to the older Jiaolong. It will have five windows for observing the seabed from different angles, and its manned capsule will have three seats and a ladder.

The new submersible will be easier and more comfortable for the crew to operate. Additionally, the new craft will be flat-bottomed, making it easier for the vehicle to be moved on board its carrier.

The new research program was recently inaugurated by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation will be responsible for development of the new submersible, Hu said.

 

[Keel]

Shanghai Jiaotong University is building this bathyscaphe which can reach a depth of 11,000 km

Also there is another deep sea submerssible in the pipeline as shown in the pic below to be built by Shanghai Ocean University

And more, China is building the world's first deep-sea mining vessel as posted by cirr in the following link:

China plans to reach Mariana Trench (10km+ below sea level) in 2019

 

[TaiShang]

India Apprehensive as China’s Jialong Explores Minerals in its Backyard
December 26, 2014

Jialong (Photo: causa-nostra.com)

As the news of China’s submersible Jiaolong kicking off its deep-sea exploration for polymetallic sulfides, copper, zinc, besides collecting samples of biological organism, hydrothermal vent, India is watching the new invasion in its backyard that may deprive it of the mineral resources in the future.

It may be noted that China had obtained approval in July this year from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore a 10,000 sq km area for polymetallic sulphide ore deposit in an international seabed region in the Indian Ocean, despite India’s disquiet.

The approval entails China to sign a 15-year exploration contract with the ISA, that allows it to enjoy pre-emptive rights to develop the ore deposit in the future.

China’s move has raised concerns in India as the Directorate of Naval Intelligence ( DNI) has expressed apprehension that the exploration would provide an excuse for China to send its warships just in India’s backyard.

More than what China gets in the seabed exploration, the base will provide Beijing an excuse to monitor the entire southern Indian Ocean, making it possible to send its massive ships, including warships, in the future freely. Unlike the US base Diago Garcia, China can now have its scientific mission passing by India’s southern waters frequently.

Jaiolong submersible had earlier undertaken similar mission in the Pacific’s Mariana Trench in June 2012 and reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters. Chinese authorities said Jialong had collected 116 biological samples, 22 rock samples, 100 kg of cobalt-rich crust and 24 kg of polymetallic crust samples, as well as 1,232 liters of seawater from the Pacific Ocean.

While India is keen to explore the deep space, China is focusing both on sea and space for its future survival, pre-empting other major rivals in seabed mining for iron ore and related minerals which form key to any country’s superiority in a decade from now.

 

[Keel]

Xinhua News 15-03-18 07:42:46 | Editor: Xiang Bo

People visit China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong at its new home port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2015. Jiaolong has successfully docked at its new home port in Qingdao after a 118-day expedition in the Indian Ocean. During the latest mission, Jiaolong successfully carried out 13 dives to observe different hydrothermal areas, the characteristics of hydrothermal fluids and deep-sea biodiversity, gathering a huge amount of data and more than 700 samples. (Xinhua/Lin Xiaomu)

Scientific researchers of China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong wave hands upon their arrival in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, March 17, 2015. Jiaolong has successfully docked at its new home port in Qingdao after a 118-day expedition in the Indian Ocean. During the latest mission, Jiaolong successfully carried out 13 dives to observe different hydrothermal areas, the characteristics of hydrothermal fluids and deep-sea biodiversity, gathering a huge amount of data and more than 700 samples. (Xinhua/Lin Xiaomu)

Submersible Jiaolong concludes Indian Ocean expedition

Xinhua, March 17, 2015

China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong has concluded a 120-day expedition in the southwest Indian Ocean, Yu Hongjun, mission commander, said Monday.

During the mission, the sub observed different hydrothermal areas, the characteristics of hydrothermal fluids and deep-sea biodiversity, gathering a huge amount of data and samples.

Jiaolong discovered new hydrothermal vents; deep-sea fissures emitting hot water. The finds could help research on the resources and environments of seafloor sulfide deposits that contain various metals.

The voyage also saw six trainee pilots, selected out of 130 candidates, complete their training "outstandingly", Yu said.

Jiaolong will embark on a new expedition to the northwest Pacific between June and August, followed by a journey to the Mariana Trench, where the sub reached a depth of 7,062 meters in June 2012, its deepest dive to date.

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