Ocean expedition heads into Arctic for studies

Icebreaker Xuelong to search for new environmental pollutants

The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong will set out for northern seas on Friday to continue its research of the Arctic Ocean's environment, ocean circulation patterns and natural resources.

For the first time, it will search for new environmental pollutants. Measuring ocean acidification and the spread of microplastics will continue to be major parts of the expedition this year - a planned 22,800-km voyage - after they were studied for the first time last year, scientists said during a media briefing on Thursday.