Jiaolong discovers iron-manganese deposits

This photo taken by China's manned submersible Jiaolong on July 3, 2013 shows iron-manganese deposits in South China Sea. Extensive iron-manganese deposits were discovered by Jiaolong here on July 3. (Xinhua)

Extensive iron-manganese deposits were discovered by the manned submersible Jiaolong during a dive conducted in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

"The Jiaolong began to dive at 9 a.m. Wednesday and arrived at its scheduled depth about 110 minutes later. We sailed northwest, climbed a forty-meter-high slope and found a large deposit of iron-manganese," said Tang Jialing, pilot of the submersible and a researcher from the National Deep Sea Center.

"After the sub passed the slope, we found another platform that also had a large deposit of iron-manganese. However, we don't know the precise area of the deposit," Tang said.

Tang said eight samples were taken from the deposits.

"Since one of the samples was broken by the sub's robotic arm, a round core inside could be identified as volcanic lava. The materials covering the core are iron and manganese oxides, which need tens of thousands of years to form," said Zhou Huaiyang, a professor at Tongji University.

Zhou said they will figure out the age of the deposits through experiments.

The Jiaolong will carry out another two dives in the area, as well as conduct research on the Jiaolong Seamount, which was named after the sub after scientists aboard the vessel discovered it.

Zhou said he hopes more rock samples will be collected from the seamount during the two dives.

The Jiaolong completed four deep-sea dives from June 17 to 20, collecting rare animal specimens and mineral samples.

After being loaded onto its support ship, the Xiangyanghong 09, the Jiaolong began its first experimental voyage on June 10.

During its 113-day mission, the sub will engage in scientific research in the South China Sea, the northeast Pacific Ocean and the west Pacific.

The mission marks the start of a five-year trial period for the Jiaolong before it starts regular operation.