See what China's ROV brought back from the Pacific Ocean

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Biological samples — among which were a rare yellow sponge and a delicate "Venus' flower basket" sponge — were collected by China's Kexue research vessel during its first exploration of the Caroline Seamount in the western Pacific Ocean on Monday, .

A remotely operated diving vehicle is launched to explore the Caroline seamount in the western Pacific Ocean on Monday. /Xinhua Photo

The yellowish sponge measures 80 centimeters. "A sponge as large as this one is rarely seen. Normal sponges are white, but this one is yellow and it is interesting to find out why," said Xu Kuidong, chief scientist aboard the research vessel, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Another sponge, "Venus' flower basket", is about 50 centimeters with a white, delicate reticulated body and crystal thorns on its surface.

Its name was derived from a kind of shrimp, which usually live as a couple in the sponge till the end of its lifespan.

Therefore, the sponge is seen as a symbol of everlasting love in some regions, and its dried specimen is used as a token of affection for lovers.

The "Venus' flower basket" sponge. /Xinhua Photo

"Discovery", the remote operated vehicle (ROV) carried by Kexue which went underwater to collect the samples, did a detailed exploration of the south side of the Caroline Seamount.

Starting from a depth of 1,500 meters, it found more and more creatures as it climbed up. Over 20 biological samples, two rock samples and deep-sea water samples were collected during the seven-hour operation.

Let's have a look at some other fantastic samples:

Sea urchin

A sea urchin. /Xinhua Photo

Sea anemone

A sea anemone. /Xinhua Photo

Starfish

A starfish. /Xinhua Photo

Corals

A coral sample. /Xinhua Photo

Located in the south of the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on the Earth, the Caroline Seamount is part of the Caroline Ridge in the Pacific Ocean, and it has never been explored.

The Kexue research vessel began this exploration on August 7 from Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and is scheduled to return to China on September 3.