Construction begins on cold-seep research facility

China has begun construction of a deep-sea research platform in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, marking a major step in the country's efforts to explore extreme marine environments and develop sustainable ocean resources.

The Research Facility of Cold-seep Ecosystems, led by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is scheduled for completion within five years.

The project will combine a manned deep-sea laboratory on the ocean floor with advanced land-based simulation systems. The hybrid design is intended to allow long-term, high-precision studies of cold-seep ecosystems — unique biological communities that thrive in darkness and under extreme pressure, where methane and other chemicals seep from the seafloor. These ecosystems, often called deep-sea oases, support species such as tube worms, clams and rare corals that rely on chemical energy rather than sunlight.

"Cold seeps hold keys to understanding Earth's carbon cycle, life in extreme environments and the safe extraction of resources such as methane hydrates," said Li Chaolun, director of the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology and leader of the project. "This facility will position China at the forefront of deep-sea science and green ocean economy innovation."

The research center will focus on three core challenges: how cold-seep ecosystems evolve, how organisms adapt to extreme conditions, and how methane — a potent greenhouse gas — interacts with marine environments. Scientists expect its findings to inform climate policies and guide environmentally friendly deep-sea energy development, Li said.

The facility will also test technologies for prolonged human habitation in deep-sea environments, with potential applications in underwater mineral mining, engineering and ecological monitoring.

"This isn't just about science — it's about translating discoveries into industrial breakthroughs," Li said, highlighting possible advances in marine biotechnology and methane hydrate extraction.

Located in Guangzhou, a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the project aims to leverage regional strengths in marine research and manufacturing. Once completed, it will serve as an open-access platform for international collaboration and attract top researchers, according to the institute.

Li said the project aligns with China's goal of becoming a global maritime power and achieving carbon neutrality. By integrating land-sea research capabilities, it is expected to help establish the Greater Bay Area as an innovation hub while addressing climate change and sustainable resource use.

The initial four-year construction phase will focus on building pressure-resistant deep-sea laboratory structures, developing high-precision land-based simulation systems and establishing a research infrastructure network that connects sea and land, the institute said.

A one-year offshore operational phase in 2030 will test new equipment — including methane leakage monitoring systems and life-support modules for deep-sea crews — in real-world conditions. Scientists say this phase will help bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical marine applications, ensuring that new technologies can function in extreme environments.

Researchers worldwide anticipate findings that could influence energy strategies, biotechnology, and climate policy, Li said.

yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn