The IC-DLI expedition team led by Prof. Xiang Xiao participated in the “TS21-2” cruise by  R/V “Tan Suo Yi Hao” from Oct.14 to Dec. 5, 2021, and carried out scientific expedition of hadal trench in Western Pacific Ocean successfully. Other team members were Prof. Yu Zhang, Dr. Yinzhao Wang and Dr. Weishu Zhao. The cruise was organized by Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, CAS and included 60 members from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, BGI, Zhejiang University and so on. The entire cruise lasted for 53 days. Prof.Yu Zhang was the chief scientist.

The IC-DLI expedition team dived eight times via HOV Fendouzhe during “TS21-1”and “TS21-2”cruises, and reached the depth over 10,000 meters twice and 9,000 to 10,000 meters three times. They reached the Challenge Deep of the Marina Trench and the Yap Trench at a depth of 8,919 meters. It is the first time for human beings to reach the latter one. They collected sediment samples, rocks, water, macroorganism samples from over 200 sites, which provided precious materials and data for trench ecosystem research.

On behalf of the entire team of scientists on “TS21-2” cruise, Prof. Xiang Xiao launched the “Mariana Consensus” initiative, which aims to investigate environment and ecology of hadal trench systematically and continuously, to establish a standardized platform for sampling, processing and analysis, as well as a long-term preservation and sharing system for samples and data in the hadal trench investigation, and to support international big science project focusing on deep life research.

IC-DLI expedition team on vessel “Tan Suo Yi Hao”. The background is Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Fendouzhe. People from left to right are Prof. Xiang Xiao, Dr. Yinzhao Wang, Dr. Weishu Zhao and Prof. Yu Zhang.