Recently, a 6,000-meter-class deep-sea in-situ dissolved CO₂ sensor, developed by the research team of Geng Xuhui and Guan Yafeng at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, completed successful sea trials in the cold seep zones of the South China Sea. The sensor reached a maximum depth of 4,377 meters and, for the first time, achieved data consistency verification with imported sensors. This breakthrough signifies China’s entry into the international forefront of deep-sea carbon cycle monitoring, providing crucial technological support for global ocean carbon sink research.
Technological Breakthroughs: High Pressure Resistance, High Precision, Real-Time Calibration
The team overcame core challenges such as a 75MPa high-pressure water-gas separation membrane module, a long optical path integrating sphere probe, and in-situ self-zeroing technology, enabling the sensor to operate stably in extreme deep-sea environments while accurately capturing CO₂ anomalies in cold seep zones. Compared to traditional laboratory analysis, this technology achieves in-situ, real-time, continuous monitoring, significantly improving data timeliness and accuracy.
Application Scenarios: From Deep-Sea Cold Seeps to Global Carbon Accounting
- Ocean Carbon Cycle Research: The sensor can be deployed on AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), gliders, and other platforms for long-term monitoring of deep-sea CO₂ flux, helping clarify ocean carbon sink mechanisms.
- Resource Exploration & Ecological Protection: In special ecosystems like cold seeps and hydrothermal vents, combined CO₂ and methane monitoring provides data support for gas hydrate development and ecological assessments.
- Climate Governance & International Cooperation: Data can be integrated into global carbon observation networks (e.g., NOAA’s SOCAT database), offering scientific backing for the emission reduction goals of the Paris Agreement.
Industry Trends: Market Growth & Technological Integration
The global dissolved CO₂ instrument market is projected to grow at a 4.3% CAGR, reaching $927 million by 2033. Meanwhile, AI algorithms and IoT integration are driving sensor intelligence upgrades, such as:
- Hamilton Company’s optical CO₂ sensors, featuring an electrolyte-free design to reduce maintenance costs, are already used in biopharmaceutical real-time monitoring.
- DOC (Direct Ocean Carbon Capture) technology, which relies on high-precision CO₂ sensing, is being developed by startups like Captura (targeting 1,000 tons of carbon removal annually), requiring real-time seawater carbon data.
Future Outlook
With surging demand for deep-sea exploration and carbon-neutral technologies, China’s independently developed sensors are poised to play a key role in deep-sea scientific research and the blue carbon economy. The next step involves miniaturizing and cost-reducing the sensors for broader commercial applications.
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Post time: Jul-08-2025