Chinese scientists embark on 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition

This photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows team members of the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wei Hongyi)

SHANGHAI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is intended to conduct investigations into the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge, as well as atmospheric, sea ice, marine and subsurface environmental surveys, and surveys of biomes and pollutants.

It will improve China's capabilities in the areas of Arctic Ocean environmental protection and marine pollution assessment, and will obtain key information and data needed for related research, such as mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

In addition, the team will work with scientists from countries including Russia and Thailand on relevant research to promote international cooperation on Arctic scientific expeditions.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles.

Team members of the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition pose for group photos on the deck of Xuelong 2 in east China's Shanghai, July 12, 2023. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Wei Hongyi)

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows Xuelong 2 docking at a port in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

People take photos of Xuelong 2 in east China's Shanghai, July 12, 2023. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows Xuelong 2 sailing on the Huangpu River in east China's Shanghai. Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)