China's 41st Antarctic expedition begins mission to study climate impact

China's 41st Antarctic expedition team, aboard the country's two polar icebreakers Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long 2, departed Guangzhou of Guangdong province and headed for the Antarctic on Friday morning, aiming to conduct survey on the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem.

The Xue Long 2, designed to reach an economic speed of 15 knots, is estimated to arrive in the Antarctic on Nov 26.

The research team based on the two research vessels will carry out comprehensive investigations and monitoring of biological ecology, water environment, sedimentary environment, atmospheric environment and pollutant distribution, said Long Wei, deputy head of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration.

"Relying on China's antarctic stations - Kunlun, Taishan, Zhongshan and Changcheng (Great Wall) - Chinese scientists will also carry out comprehensive surveys and monitoring of ecosystem, nearshore marine environment, soil environment, geological environment, atmospheric environment, snow and ice environment and space environment. The research will provide an in-depth study of Antarctica's role in global climate change," he said.

The mission covers the Prydz Bay of East Antarctica, the Astronaut Sea, the Ross Sea of West Antarctica, the Amundsen Sea and adjacent waters of the Antarctic peninsula.

During the seven-month expedition, scientific cooperation and logistical assistance will also be carried out to support some important international projects, said Long.

To join the research vessels, a cargo ship named Yong Sheng will also leave Zhangjiagang in East China's Jiangsu province for the Antarctic later this month.

Yong Sheng will mainly be responsible for transporting materials to construct supporting facilities at China's Qinling Antarctic Station.

Consisting of about 500 people from 80 domestic departments, units and institutes, the research team will return to the country in May, Long said.