China's ocean expedition ship returns to Zhoushan

Xiangyanghong10, China's scientific research ship, berths at her home port on Changzhi Island, Zhoushan city, Aug 12, after completing the nation's 49th ocean expedition. [Photo/ Xinhua]

Xiangyanghong10, China's scientific research ship, returned to her home port on Changzhi Island, Zhoushan city, Aug 12, after completing the nation's 49th ocean expedition, local media have reported.

The expedition, organized by the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration, performs tasks mainly in the Indian Ocean.

The ship, departing from Zhoushan on Dec 6, 2017, has spent 250 days on her voyage, traveling nearly 30,000 nautical miles, and has made remarkable achievements in the following five areas. 

Qianlong2, China's independently developed autonomous underwater vehicle, worked underwater for 257 hours on nine tasks, traveling about 352 nautical miles. 

An investigation of micro-plastics in the Indian Ocean, the first of its kind in China, was conducted to provide information and samples for analyzing micro-plastic pollution of the ocean. 

New mining areas were found in the southwest Indian Ocean for the exploration of polymetallic sulfide resources. 

New evidence was collected of the tectonic evolution and the hydrothermal systems of the slow-spreading Carlsberg Ridge.

Submerged buoys were recovered in the Ninety East Ridge after 11 months of work, offering unprecedented data about the dynamic environment and changing behavior of the Indian Ocean.