FIO’s research vessel “Xiangyanghong 01” has successfully set 2 deep-sea submerged buoys in the Powell Basin off the northernmost Antarctic Peninsula, which will help researchers observe flow velocity, temperature and salinity at different depths of the ocean, just like a “Dynamic Electrocardiogram”, reported by Xinhua News Agency on February 11 in Qingdao.

The buoy systems mainly consist of floating body, cable, current meter, CTD systems and releaser. Those components are fixed in the designated spot by the one-ton gravity anchor from top to bottom and the floating body will keep the balance of the buoy in the water. This buoy system need to work at least for one year.

“This is the first time a Chinese research vessel has set deep-sea submerged buoys in this sea area.” said LI Tiegang, the Director General of FIO. “ Scientists can acquire long-term observation profiles of all-depth ocean current, temperature and salinity, especially the environmental condition under extreme weathers, which has more scientific and researching significance.”

Xiangyanghong 01 now is in the mission of China’s 34th Antarctic Expedition, which is also China’s first around-the-world integrated expedition in the Antarctica. Finishing all the investigation tasks, the vessel is heading to Punta Arenas of Chile to do replenishment.