Editor's note: Chinese scientists have been on board the Xuelong-2 icebreaker since July 12 for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition. They are investigating the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge as well as key environmental factors related to atmosphere, maritime and climate change. The team is expected to return in September. Follow us for the latest stories from the expedition. You can find a previous piece here.

China's 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition team completed a marine optical survey on Wednesday, marking the first fully completed operation project during the voyage.

The team on board the country's Xuelong-2 polar icebreaker is currently conducting research in the Chukchi Sea after their arrival on July 26.

As part of ocean scientific research, the marine optical survey measured the absorption and attenuation process of solar radiation energy in the ocean by detecting solar irradiance at different depths of the ocean with professional equipment.

The survey helps answer questions such as how the sun's energy enters the ocean, how it is absorbed and where it is ultimately consumed, said Zhong Wenli, associate professor at the Ocean University of China.

"Studies have shown that the surface temperature of the Chukchi Sea has shown an obvious rising trend in the past 20 to 30 years, which is closely related to the ocean's absorption of more solar short-wave radiation energy," said Zhong.

"The sea surface warming has an important role in accelerating the melting of Arctic sea ice," Zhong added.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is intended to investigate the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge, as well as atmospheric, sea ice, marine and subsurface environmental surveys, and surveys of biomes and pollutants.

The research operations in the Chukchi Sea are scheduled to be completed in mid-August.