China's Xuelong icebreaker has successfully completed its 42nd Antarctic mission, concluding a significant expedition aimed at gathering marine samples and testing advanced sensors for environmental monitoring.

The Xuelong departed from Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica's Ross Sea on Saturday after successfully collecting 69 members of the summer team stationed at Qinling Station, which is now shifting to its overwintering phase.

The crew marked the conclusion of their ocean survey work on Thursday by recovering the final acoustic device from the Ross Sea. Subsequently, 18 researchers will remain at Qinling Station to carry out overwintering duties.

According to Zhang Haifeng, head of the Xuelong's ocean team, the expedition involved comprehensive surveys across the Amundsen Sea, Ross Sea, and surrounding waters. These assessments focused on ocean conditions, marine life, seawater chemistry, and atmospheric elements, including an examination of penguin habitats.

The voyage also resulted in the retrieval of four ecological mooring systems, alongside the deployment of four new systems. These fixed, sensor-equipped devices are anchored to the seabed to collect long-term data pertinent to ocean conditions and marine biodiversity.

In an effort to enhance understanding of regional food webs and the monitoring of key species, scientists collected samples of krill, midwater fish, and other marine organisms during the mission.

This expedition also served as a platform for testing new equipment, where polar ecological moorings were outfitted with domestically developed acoustic and optical sensors. These innovations facilitate long-term monitoring of waters beneath the ice.

Following the completion of the mission, the ocean team, along with the summer staff from Qinling Station, will head to Hobart, Australia aboard the Xuelong before making their way back home by air.

After their stay in Hobart, the Xuelong will continue its journey to Zhongshan Station for further scientific tasks, extending China’s commitment to research in the Antarctic region.