Han Xiqiu:Explorer of Deep Oceans

By staff reporter HU YUE

ON first meeting Han Xiqiu you get the impression of a woman who is definitely intellectual， but friendly and outgoing too. But you would never imagine that she is a prominent figure in Chinas marine science.

Han is the first woman to be appointed chief scientist on the Dayang Yihao （Ocean No.1）， the countrys main research vessel， and also the first female chief scientist in Chinas history of maritime exploration. During her career as a marine geologist her meticulous efforts and assertiveness have enabled Han to meet and overcome all challenges.

Han is vice director of the submarine geoscience laboratory at the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration， and vice dean of the Ocean College of Zhejiang University. She describes her job as “exploring treasures on the seabed，” and maritime research as exploring the unknown in the vast ocean and deep seabed environment. Chinas marine research team led by Han searches out mineral resources in the international seabed area， and makes applications to the International Seabed Authority （ISA） for authorization to conduct mining operations. It thus both safeguards Chinas rights and interests in the international seabed area， and develops resources for all humankind.

Ties with the Deep Ocean

Han was born in Taizhou City of Zhejiang Province. She entered the Chengdu Institute of Geology， predecessor to todays Chengdu University of Technology， in 1986. Her outstanding academic performance gained her recommendation for admission to graduate school. After receiving her postgraduate degree in 1993， she started to work at the Second Institute of Oceanography of the State Oceanic Administration. It was there that she changed her research area from terrestrial to marine geology， so forming a bond with the deep sea. In 2001， Han obtained a PhD in structural geology from Zhejiang University. In 2002， she was a visiting scholar to the University of Kiel in Germany. There she joined the German marine research team on four ocean trips， and gained rich practical experience.

In 2005， China launched its first round-the-globe voyage. Han was selected as assistant to the chief scientist and participated in designing each leg of the voyage. In 2007， Han embarked on the Ocean No.1s 19th transoceanic voyage， during which she and her fellow team members discovered a black smoker， or “black chimney” as Han described it. The black chimney is a hydrothermal vent on the ocean floor formed when seawater that has percolated down through fissures on the ocean crust is heated by hot magma and reemerges to form the vents. The water around the vent is rich in dissolved minerals， most notably sulfides. Those minerals precipitate， forming a black chimney-like structure around each vent， hence the name black chimney. The discovery marked the first time a black smoker had been found in the worlds mid-ocean ridge. Han was appointed as chief scientist of the third phase of the voyage， so becoming the first female chief scientist in Chinas maritime exploration history.

In 2010， Han was again appointed as chief scientist in the seventh phase of the 21st voyage on the Ocean No.1. She and her team discovered in the mid-range of the southwestern Indian Ocean a largescale mineral deposit with sulfides and many other minerals， and multiple hydrothermal fields. As chief scientist， she had the privilege of naming the area. She christened it Yuhuang Mountain， the name of a mountain in her hometown in Zhejiang. It has been included in the Global Database of Active Submarine Hydrothermal Vent Fields compiled by InterRidge.

“It was indeed a great honor to name the area，” Han said proudly. “China lays great store on naming marine research work. It has also established a system for specifying the names of seabed structures. For example， it stipulates clearly the kind of structure that can be named a seamount or a hill.”

In 2015， the State Oceanic Administration announced the 124 Chinesenamed seabed geo-entities， among which 11 geo-entities and four hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean were discovered and named by Hans team. She gave these undersea features both geographic names and those that reflect elements of Chinese culture.

Woman of Science

Oceans cover 71 percent of the Earths surface， and the vast seafloor remains unexplored and hence mysterious. Han likens undersea exploration to searching for a seashell in the ocean. “Once we spot any signs or traces we immediately conduct rounds of studies， and then set off on journeys of exploration. We must be meticulous throughout the whole process because we cant afford to make any mistakes，” Han said. In fact， China has been at the world forefront of marine scientific research and of mining operations in the international seabed.

On each voyage both scientists and crew must endure tough living conditions while conducting scientific re- search. “In the field of science， gender differences mean nothing. We earn respect through our research results. People treat you no differently just because you are a woman，” Han said.

Hans most unforgettable experience was her discovery of Yuhuang Mountain in 2010. “At that time we had encountered many difficulties， especially bad weather. But we successfully conducted surveys of underwater terrain and gained many samples， achievements that were both thrilling and gratifying，” Han said.

Keen to Popularize Science

“As a member of the Communist Party of China， I am always ready and willing to pursue advancement in addition to being enthusiastic and meticulous in my work，” Han said.

On April 16 of 2016 – the 47th Earth Day – Han was invited to make a speech titled “To Explore the Deep Sea” at Tongji Zhejiang College， as part of the effort to popularize science. “Its easiest to arouse young peoples interest in science by letting them participate in various scientific activities. This makes them curious and passionate about science.”

Although Hans work always keeps her busy， she is keen to popularize science， and often gives talks at middle schools and universities. In 2016， she was invited by popular Chinese Internetbased community for science and technology popularization Guokr.com to introduce relevant knowledge about marine scientific research via the Internet. Hans enthusiastic participation in public welfare activities won her an award in 2015 from the China Association of Women Scientific Workers for her contributions to society.

“I feel really lucky to be a scientist. Not everyone has the opportunity to observe the deep sea terrain personally. It is a precious experience that I am happy to share，” Han said.

“In fact， many scientists are born into ordinary families. They make great achievements through unremitting efforts， and their stories can be truly inspiring.” Han hopes that media might pay more attention to scientists and their achievements， and so arouse peoples interest in science.