sea cold seeps research megaproject, including a manned deep

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By Liu Caiyu (Global Times) 16:40, February 28, 2025

Leveraging observational data, the authentic simulation subsystem conducts comprehensive simulations to reconstruct the formation and extraction processes of combustible ice, as well as the full lifecycle evolution of cold seeps ecosystems.

The third part of this facility is the support and guarantee subsystem. It is primarily composed of a surface support mothership, as well as a research and smart management center.

The mothership, with a displacement of 9,380 tons, is capable of deploying, retrieving, and providing operational support for the 600-ton deep-sea laboratory. This subsystem is designed to ensure the daily operation, maintenance, and scientific research activities of the system.

Zhang Xin, a research fellow from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is also involved in the project, told the Global Times that simply referring to the facility as a "deep-sea" space station would be inaccurate, as it consists of three interconnected parts.

However, similar to a space station, the deep-sea laboratory incorporates some concepts inspired by space station technology, such as life support systems, including oxygen supply programs. Research teams on space station technology will also participate in the project, Zhang said.

The entire project will take about five years to finish. The initial four years will focus on the engineering design and the physical construction of the facility. The final year will involve system testing, equipment calibration, and operational validation through marine trials to ensure functionality under real-world conditions.

Technological breakthrough

The facility is the first major national scientific and technological infrastructure combining both marine and land elements, developed independently by China, the institute said.

Through the construction and operation of the cold seeps facility, the project will break through a series of key core technologies, including deep-sea manned long-duration stay experiments, safety of large deep-sea pressure-resistant structures, large-scale titanium alloy processing techniques, and deep-water docking systems.

"Cold seeps" refer to underwater areas where gases, such as methane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide, seep from the seafloor into the ocean, driven by geological shifts or pressure changes.

Often called "oases of the deep sea," the cold seeps ecosystem refers to a unique ecosystem in the dark depths of the ocean where marine organisms utilize chemicals (such as methane and sulfates) seeping from the seabed as carbon sources and energy for chemosynthesis. This ecosystem thrives in an environment characterized by darkness, high pressure, and low oxygen levels.