An underwater lab. China has started construction of an underwater laboratory at a depth of about 6,500 feet in Guangzhou in the South China Sea. The South China Morning Post has described the project as a “deep-sea space station.” According to China Daily, six scientists will reside in the facility for more than a month to study the marine ecosystem.
An underwater base. Scientists aim to investigate the ecosystems of cold seeps, a natural phenomenon rich in methane hydrate. Experts view this gas as a less polluting alternative to traditional fossil fuels. However, extracting it from great depths poses significant risks. Moreover, China’s facility will also focus on exploring minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are crucial for the tech and energy industries.
Dangerous extraction. Extracting resources from the seafloor, particularly at extreme depths, poses a big threat to marine ecosystems. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) hasn’t regulated this activity yet, although research is ongoing. The ISA is in the process of developing regulations for seabed mining, while environmental organizations advocate for the protection of ocean environments over commercial interests.
Is there room for everyone? China’s deep-sea facility will be open to international collaborations and is in line with the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, according to Global Times.
However, this initiative may heighten tensions in the South China Sea. China has claimed sovereignty over a significant portion of this area, causing conflicts with neighboring countries that also seek to exploit its resources. Additionally, critics of the Chinese government have raised concerns about the underwater lab, arguing that it could serve as a pretext for an increased military presence.
The underwater laboratory. China will connect the deep-sea station to a fiber optic network on the seafloor. The facility will reportedly withstand pressures 200 times greater than those at sea level. Scientists will spend between one month and 45 days underwater, without natural light. The base will also be equipped with advanced submersibles, surface vessels, and technology to conduct four-dimensional monitoring of the region. The initial phase of the project will focus on constructing pressure-resistant structures and simulation systems.
Outperforming AI and self-driving vehicles. The South China Morning Post reports that the station will enable scientists to conduct real-time experiments under extreme conditions, which can’t currently be achieved with AI or autonomous vehicles. Project manager Chaolun Li told Global Times that the initiative will facilitate ecological and in-situ experimental monitoring, enhancing scientists’ understanding of these extreme environments.
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