The Kermadec Trench is located north of New Zealand, in the Pacific Ocean, and is considered one of the deepest places in the world. Until now, very few people have set foot here.
Last month, an international research team led by China conducted the first exploration of the Kermadec Trench to collect rock samples, sediments, biological samples, and seawater for laboratory analysis.
Mr. Peng Xiaotong, who works at the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, is the leader of the research team. Additionally, over ten scientists from research institutes and universities in China and two marine biologists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand participated in the project.
Mr. Peng stated that this is an opportunity to explore the diversity of the ecological and geological systems in the Kermadec Trench.
The research team conducting the Kermadec Trench expedition using a Chinese-manufactured submersible. (Photo – NIWA).
The team used the Fendouzhe submersible, also known as the Striver, to dive deep into the Kermadec Trench. This deep-sea submersible, which can carry three people, was previously used in the Mariana Trench expedition—the deepest ocean trench on Earth—in 2020.
Mr. Daniel Leduc, one of the two scientists from NIWA participating in the Kermadec Trench exploration aboard the Fendouzhe, noted that this is a rare opportunity as it is not easy to dive down to this ocean trench located far below sea level and collect research samples.
This was Mr. Leduc’s first time sitting in a submersible. The scientist believes that the Fendouzhe is one of the best submersibles in the world for sample collection due to its capability to dive deep to the ocean floor and remain there for an extended period, as well as being equipped with various sample collection devices.
During the expedition, the research team encountered many surprises, such as observing strange and rare marine creatures, including a red anglerfish swimming upside down.
Going deeper, they spotted many smaller animals along the ocean floor, such as sea cucumbers, anemones, jellyfish, and other organisms small enough to be difficult to see with the naked eye. The researchers collected mud samples to later examine under an electron microscope.
Leduc mentioned that being small is a significant advantage for marine organisms living in deep trenches, as there is not much food in these areas, and smaller bodies may survive better during earthquakes and landslides.
Photo of the ocean floor at the Kermadec Trench. (Photo – IDSSE).
The research team spent 6 hours surveying the trench floor, collecting animal samples and sediment cores using equipment on the submersible’s robotic arm.
After a short break and resupply, the Fendouzhe returned to the Kermadec Trench for the second phase of the expedition and will remain in the area until Christmas.
The next phase of the project involves analyzing the collected samples. Mr. Leduc stated that NIWA will retain most of the specimens since they were collected from New Zealand waters. The IDSSE will also take some rock samples back to China. Once the analysis is complete, the data will be shared with scientists in both China and New Zealand.
Through this expedition, Mr. Leduc observed that the ocean floor is incredibly peaceful. Many people think that the deep sea is a strange or even frightening place, but “in reality, we are the ones who are frightening with the large submersible and lights, engines, and robotic arms—sampling species that have lived there for thousands, if not millions, of years.”
