The Chinese government has approved a long-discussed and highly ambitious project to build what's being called a 'deep-sea space station' found around 6,500 feet underwater.
With over 80% of the global ocean still left unexplored, it's not exactly a stretch to compare the deep sea found on Earth to the vast stretches of unknown out in space.
One of the biggest struggles that marine scientists face is simply a case of access, as there are so many parts of the ocean that are near impossible to reach, and prove extremely challenging to study at any reasonable length without staying for extended periods of time.
That's why China's announcement of a so-called 'deep-sea space station' could revolutionize how we understand and study the ocean, as it's containment over 6,500 feet below sea level would allow up to six researchers to stay for up to a month at a time in a similar capacity to the International Space Station.
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As reported by the South China Morning Post, this project is understood to be one of the most technologically complex installations of its kind, and is scheduled to be operational by 2030.
It's research efforts will be geared towards what are known as 'cold seeps' - areas of the ocean floor where hydrocarbon or methane-rich fluids seep up from below the sea floor.
These cold seeps provide an essential habitat for much of the surrounding deep-sea species, and they could also provide further research into renewable energy solutions through their gaseous properties. Microorganisms found around some cold seeps could also prove vital in the degradation of dangerous oil spills.
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Never before seen research could now be unlocked as scientists are able to sustain lengthy and consistent analysis of these cold seeps, as permanent monitoring networks provide analysis on multiple levels including tectonic activity and ecological changes.
Conjoined with this particular deep-sea station are unscrewed submersibles, ships, and seabed observatories, as per Oceanographic, in what is being distinguished as a 'four-dimensional' monitoring system to ensure the best possible results.
There are political concerns to take into consideration though, as multiple countries are vying for their own control over the South China Sea where this station is set to be located.
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Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines all contest their own claim to parts of the sea and deny China's sovereign control, so there's a potential that geological debates could hold up progress and construction.
Much of the debates surround the resources that this particular station will be studying, as the aforementioned hydrocarbon and methane deposits would provide valuable gas reserves that are estimated to amount to 70 billion tonnes, and are considered an 'untapped' resource with 'significant potential'.