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2025-05-28
The Joint Twilight Ross Sea Ecosystem Studies (JTRES)
-Completion of the 41st CHINARE Concludes with the first successful Autumn Ecosystem Research Cruise in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
April 26th, Report by Dr. CHEN Liulin (Polar Research Institute of China, PRIC)The Chinese R/V "Xuelong 2" docked at Hobart Port in Tasmania, Australia, on April 26th , marking the successful operation of the 41st CHINARE and the first international voyage initiated by PRIC focused on the Ross Sea ecosystem scientific researches during the Antarctic autumn. This unprecedented initiative brought together 91 scientists from nine countries: China, Australia, South Korea, the United State, Malaysia, Norway, Thailand, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, including 12 international researchers and 32 domestic experts from institutions such as the Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences etc.
Fieldwork Highlights
The 20-days on-site Oceanography investigations were carried out from March 27th to April 15th , 2025 faced extreme Antarctic challenges, with temperatures plunging to -26ºC and persistent high-density sea ice. Leveraging "Xuelong 2"‘s icebreaking capabilities, the JTRES overcame challenges posed by frigid wind and polar twilight to advance three key research areas: 1)Carbon Flux Dynamics: Convection Vertical fluxes of heat, salt and carbon processes in polynya forming deep and bottom waters; 2)Ecosystem Energy Flow: Biomass pathways of twilight foodweb and sources of bio-energy fueling the foodweb; 3)Survival Strategies: Overwintering strategies of organisms and populations.
Scientific Achievements
The expedition completed 24 multidisciplinary oceanographic stations across four transects, including one 24-hour continuous observation site. Tasks such as biological trawling, water sampling, and sediment collection were fulfilled or exceeded targets. Advanced equipment—including Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), fish detectors, and ice/bird/mammal observation systems—enabled comprehensive data collections. Over 5,000 samples (water, aerosols, sediments, organisms, and sea ice) were collected, and 34 specialized buoys were deployed successfully.
Scientific Impact
This voyage delivered the first autumn Oceanography survey of Antarctic ecosystems, shedding light on critical trophic-level adaptations during polar winters. The breakthrough would enhance comprehensive understanding of biodiversity resilience of extreme environments and enrich knowledge of climate change from the perspective of the Southern Ocean.
Gibeom RYU and Jihye PARK from KOPRI, Dr.Muhammad Hafiz Bin BORKHANUDDIN from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Dr. Udomsak DARUMAS from Chulalongkorn UNIVERSITY, Thailand were invited to join the JTRES.