China recently completed its first exploration survey with underwater robots on the polymetallic sulfide area in the South Atlantic, which signifies that China’s ocean expedition has entered the robotic era.

Using a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) independently developed by China that can reach 3,500 meters under the sea, China’s 22nd scientific ocean expedition launched the 2,000-meter-deep seabed survey operations during its second leg survey.

They successfully completed the exploration work of the new polymetallic sulfide area in the South Atlantic and successfully collected the seabed polymetallic sulfides and biological samples. They also took high-resolution photos and recorded the entire operation on video.

The current expedition was jointly completed by an operation team composed of members from the Institute of Underwater Engineering under Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Ocean Survey Equipment Technology Management Center of the North Sea Branch under the State Oceanic Administration.

By Zhang Hongyu (People’s Daily Online)

Source: peopledaily ,March 11, 2011; Image: warrenpole