China’s research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 returned to Shanghai on Tuesday, completing the country’s 16th Arctic expedition.⁣ ⁣ The three-month mission surveyed the Chukchi Sea, Canada Basin and central Arctic Ocean, with researchers making discoveries about warming waters, Arctic ecosystems and the Gakkel Ridge.⁣ ⁣ Scientists identified a new hydrothermal plume zone and large numbers of juvenile polar cod in high-latitude ice areas, while geophysical surveys produced new findings about the Arctic lithosphere.⁣ ⁣ The expedition team said the research will support efforts to better understand and respond to climate change.⁣ ⁣ #China #Arctic #Science #Research