NEWS
2025-09-10
Early career scientists from China participated in the International Antarctic Coastal Circumnavigation Expedition (ICCE)
Editor: Dr. Yu DU (PRIC, China)
A Chinese scientific team, consisting of seven early career scientists from six research national institutions and universities, leading by Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), participated in the International Antarctic Coastal Circumnavigation Expedition (ICCE) successfully (Figure 1). The expedition was coordinated and organized by Brazil, with the participation of 61 scientists from eight countries including China, Russia, Brazil, India, Chile, Argentina, Peru and Switzerland. The ICCE was logistically supported by the Russian R/V Akademik Treshnikov and funded by the Swiss Foundation Albedo for the Cryosphere. The expedition set sail from Rio Grande, Brazil, on 22nd November 2024, and sailed around the Antarctic coast before returning to Rio Grande, Brazil, on 30th January 2025, spanning over 60 days.
Chinese science interests on understanding the biogeochemical process Circum-Southern Ocean, evaluating the ecological status of the Southern Ocean, discovering the paleoclimatic records, and conducting meteorological observation were carried out on the international cruise, by collecting samples of seawater and phytoplankton at ocean stations, lichens/mosses and soil at terrestrial stations, ice cores on glacial stations. Meanwhile, the team gathered data including atmospheric profiles, sea-ice thickness and density during the cruise. The international cooperation cruise conducted successful research on polar biogeochemical cycles, atmospheric and sea ice dynamics, and paleoclimatic studies.
Notably, during this expedition, Chinese scientists also successfully retrieved a set of hydrological mooring submersible buoy (Figure 2) that had been deployed in the Bellingshausen Sea for nearly four years. The obtained long-term time-series data of temperature, salinity, and ocean currents have filled the gap in long-term continuous observation data for the Bellingshausen area. The ICCE is a reflection of the continuous strengthening of cooperation among BRICS countries.
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Figure 1. Chinese scientific team in Rio Grande before the departure of ICCE.png
Figure 2. International Cooperation with retrieving the mooring during the cruise.png