First Unmanned Submersible Exploration of Antarctic Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents Succeeds... Discovery of Hydrothermal Ore and Deep-Sea Organisms [Reading Science]

For the first time in the world, a domestic research team has successfully observed the hydrothermal fluid environment of the Antarctic deep sea directly using an unmanned submersible and secured samples. By simultaneously confirming the distribution of hydrothermal ore and deep-sea organisms at the Antarctic Central Ridge, they have obtained new clues for research on deep-sea resources and polar ecosystems.

The Korea Polar Research Institute announced on the 4th that it had successfully used an unmanned submersible to directly observe the deep-sea hydrothermal system and collect hydrothermal ore and deep-sea organisms in the waters of the Antarctic Central Ridge.

Unmanned Exploration Vehicle ‘Ariaari’ of the Antarctic Central Ridge. Provided by Korea Polar Research Institute.

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The mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range where new oceanic crust forms as magma erupts from the mantle and cools. During this process, seawater reacts with magma and is discharged as high-temperature hydrothermal fluid, creating a unique deep-sea ecosystem. In addition, immediately after the hydrothermal fluid is released, it cools rapidly, forming hydrothermal ore enriched with valuable metals such as copper and zinc, making it an area of significant academic and economic value.

The research team led by Principal Researcher Park Soonghyun (Professor of Polar Science at UST) from the Korea Polar Research Institute conducted a deep-sea exploration last November using the icebreaking research vessel Araon, in waters about 1,200 kilometers from the Jang Bogo Antarctic Research Station. The target of the exploration was a seamount about 1,300 meters deep, named "Wing" because its shape resembled the research team's preparations for takeoff.

In a previous expedition in January last year, the team used dredge equipment to scrape the seabed and collect samples, securing hydrothermal ore of high economic value from the area. In the recent exploration, they deployed an unmanned submersible and directly confirmed that hydrothermal ore similar to the previously collected samples was distributed on a large scale on the seabed.

The research team explained that this once again demonstrates the potential of deep-sea mineral resources in the area.

Deep-sea capture scene of Ariariho and collected organisms. Provided by Korea Polar Research Institute

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The team also collected a total of 12 deep-sea organisms, including cnidarians, sponges, and echinoderms, using the submersible's robotic arm and sample suction device. Based on the collected samples, the researchers plan to determine whether any of them are new species and to analyze the formation and operating mechanisms of the Antarctic deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystem.

The unmanned submersible "Ariariho," deployed for this exploration, is a deep-sea exploration device jointly developed by the Korea Polar Research Institute and domestic unmanned submersible developer RedOne Technology. It can dive to a maximum depth of 6,000 meters and is capable of real-time video observation, sample collection, and seabed mapping simultaneously.

Park Soonghyun, Principal Researcher at the Korea Polar Research Institute who led the exploration, stated, "Directly observing the deep-sea hydrothermal environment of the Antarctic Central Ridge with an unmanned submersible is unprecedented worldwide. Utilizing advanced robotics has enabled us to obtain much more precise information and samples than traditional shipboard exploration."

Shin Hyungchul, Director of the Korea Polar Research Institute, said, "Based on this achievement, we will gradually expand Antarctic deep-sea exploration and strengthen our polar research capabilities by promoting the development of next-generation deep-sea unmanned submersibles and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) through collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions."

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