On January 4th, the "Sun Yat sen University Polar" icebreaking research vessel departed from Nansha, Guangzhou and headed to the Bohai Ice Region to conduct a major scientific investigation of the key processes and ecological environmental effects of the winter ice sea system in the Bohai Sea. This voyage is led and organized by Sun Yat sen University, with the participation of 12 domestic universities and research institutes. The planned operation time is 44 days, covering the winter Bohai Sea ice formation period, peak ice period, and retreat period. This is the first time in China to conduct a comprehensive investigation of sea ice, ocean, and ecology in the Bohai Sea ice zone during winter. The project leader, Cheng Xiao, Dean of the School of Surveying and Mapping Science and Technology at Sun Yat sen University and Director of the Polar Research Center, introduced: "The scientific expedition team will set up two longitudinal sections and two observation cross-sections in the Liaodong Bay and the central sea area of the Bohai Sea, focusing on the study of the process of Bohai Sea ice production and consumption, the thermal and dynamic effects of the atmosphere and ocean on the Bohai Sea ice production and consumption process, as well as the impact mechanism of Bohai Sea ice production and consumption process on the water environment. We will construct an ecological dynamic model of Bohai Sea ice and reveal the potential impact of sea ice on seasonal changes in the Bohai Sea ecosystem." "The scarcity of observation data in the high-density ice area of Bohai Sea ice in winter has limited our understanding and comprehension of the changes in the marine environment and biochemical elements under Bohai Sea ice. This voyage will effectively make up for the previous insufficient observation data. The chief scientist of this voyage Professor Chen Xianyao from Ocean University of China said. It is reported that 45 scientific researchers from 12 universities and research institutes, including Ocean University of China, Tianjin University, Dalian University of Technology, East China Normal University, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, and the First Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources, jointly participated in this voyage mission. The team leader is Chen Zhuoqi, a satellite remote sensing expert and professor at Sun Yat sen University. Cheng Xiao introduced that he hopes this voyage will delve deep into the Bohai Sea and gaze far into the Arctic. Through the three-dimensional observation of air sky ice sea, while studying the scientific problems of the Bohai Sea itself, he will explore the impact of rapid changes in the Arctic on China's weather and climate. At the same time, he will actively carry out sea trials of scientific research equipment in a quasi polar environment to serve the ecological environment construction of Liaodong Bay and global climate change research. The voyage number is NORC2025-302 Bohai Winter Voyage. The "Sun Yat sen University Polar" is the first polar ice breaking scientific research vessel in Chinese universities, with the ability to conduct polar deep-sea scientific research. At the same time, the ship is also the third offshore scientific research platform in China capable of operating in the central ice zone of the Arctic Ocean. From July 26 to October 7, 2024, the "Sun Yat sen University Polar" spacecraft completed the 2024 Arctic Ocean scientific expedition. (New Society)