Crew members and scientific researchers retrieve China's first deep-sea in situ microbial culture system from the southwest Indian Ocean. The system provides a new platform for domestic deep-sea microbial ecology research. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

 


Crew members and researchers on board China's deep-sea research vessel Xiangyanghong 10 retrieved the country's first domestically-developed deep-sea in situ microbial culture system on May 11. The experimental platform had been operating on a seabed in the southwest Indian Ocean for nearly two months, according to a scientist on the vessel.

The deep-sea microbial culture system was arranged at intervals of 100 meters, with four deep-sea laboratory stations including a control room and a culturing room. All the stations were connected with ropes. The deepest station was at 3,200 meters below sea level.

The deep-sea laboratory provides a valuable platform for Chinese scientists, said Shao Zongze, a researcher at the Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration of China. It is particularly useful because the open environment of the laboratory cannot be simulated on land.

Crew members and scientific researchers retrieve China's first deep-sea in situ microbial culture system from the southwest Indian Ocean. The system provides a new platform for domestic deep-sea microbial ecology research. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

 

Crew members and scientific researchers retrieve China's first deep-sea in situ microbial culture system from the southwest Indian Ocean. The system provides a new platform for domestic deep-sea microbial ecology research. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

 

Crew members and scientific researchers retrieve China's first deep-sea in situ microbial culture system from the southwest Indian Ocean. The system provides a new platform for domestic deep-sea microbial ecology research. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

 

Crew members and scientific researchers retrieve China's first deep-sea in situ microbial culture system from the southwest Indian Ocean. The system provides a new platform for domestic deep-sea microbial ecology research. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)