Diving into the Unknown: How OceanX is Transforming Ocean Discovery and Conservation

The ocean is the largest living space on our planet and covers nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface and yet, we have only explored 5% of it. The depths of the sea hold mysteries that scientists are only beginning to uncover, and at the forefront of this exploration is OceanX, a groundbreaking initiative where cutting-edge science and technology meet inventive storytelling. With a mission to increase our understanding of the ocean and share that knowledge with the world, OceanX is making waves - literally. 

As part of a recent tour of their incredible research vessel, OceanXplorer, a group of 1.5degreeNUS members witnessed firsthand the innovative tools and methods they use to explore the deep sea. From submersibles to high-tech labs, OceanX is charting the uncharted, revealing the wonders of the ocean floor while promoting sustainability. 

Figure 1. A look at OceanXplorer from the outside. 

Collaborating with Scientists Globally

What makes OceanX particularly unique is its commitment to global scientific collaboration. The vessel acts as a floating laboratory, allowing scientists from around the world to come aboard and conduct their research in cutting-edge facilities. This collaborative model means that OceanX isn’t just about one team's discoveries—it’s about opening up opportunities for researchers from different regions to study their local marine environments in a new way. These partnerships allow real-time analysis and onboard publication-ready data, ensuring that new insights into ocean life can be shared widely and efficiently.

Innovative Solutions for Deep-Sea Exploration

At the heart of OceanX’s operations are its two remarkable submersibles - Nadir and Neptune. These advanced vessels, capable of descending thousands of metres below the surface, could be deployed daily, spending up to 8 hours per dive, during missions. This allows scientists to explore the deep sea in unprecedented detail. Both submersibles are equipped with a variety of tools designed to collect a wide range of samples. They feature suction, scoop, and core samplers, as well as a robotic sampling arm, which allows scientists to carefully retrieve soft-bodied organisms, corals, sponges, and sediment from the ocean floor and bring them back to the surface for analysis. This ability to collect delicate specimens without harming them is essential for studying fragile deep-sea ecosystems.

One of the most exciting aspects of these submersibles is the ability for scientists to observe marine life up close, through 10 cm-thick acrylic glass, allowing for direct observation of species in their natural habitats. The submersibles are also fitted with red lighting, which most deep-sea creatures can’t see, minimising disruption to their environment.

This direct observation, combined with the ability to gather samples using state-of-the-art tools, fundamentally changes the way marine research is conducted, giving scientists unparalleled insights into the world beneath the waves.

Figure 2. Triton submersible at the docks. 

Scuba Diving for Shallow Water Exploration

While OceanXplorer’s submersibles explore the deeper ocean, scuba divers play a crucial role in shallower areas, collecting data where submersibles may not be needed. The divers on board OceanXplorer are equipped with advanced diving technology like rebreathers, which recycle air and produce no bubbles, allowing them to get closer to marine animals without scaring them away. This technology gives scientists an unlimited air supply, extending dive times and enabling more thorough data collection.

Scuba divers contribute by collecting samples from coral reefs and shallow ecosystems, complementing the deeper missions of the submersibles. Their work in conjunction with the vessel’s labs ensures that every layer of the ocean, from surface waters to the depths, is studied comprehensively. They also have access to specialised equipment and safety measures like hyperbaric chambers, ensuring they can work safely at varying depths.

Figure 3. A hyperbaric chamber onboard in case of diving emergencies. 

Unlocking the Ocean’s Secret with eDNA

One of the most exciting innovations aboard the OceanXplorer is the use of environmental DNA (eDNA). This breakthrough technology allows scientists to explore the ocean’s biodiversity in a non-invasive way. By collecting water samples, researchers can identify species that have passed through the area in the past 30 days—from tiny microorganisms to large marine animals—all from the genetic material they leave behind.

This method holds incredible potential for discovering new species. If the DNA found doesn’t match anything in existing databases, it could indicate the presence of an entirely unknown organism. And because OceanXplorer is equipped with onboard DNA sequencers, such as the Oxford Nanopore GridION system, analysis can begin immediately, fast-tracking discoveries without waiting for samples to reach land-based labs.

What’s particularly impactful about eDNA is its ability to provide sustainable research solutions. Rather than capturing or disturbing marine life, scientists can gather crucial ecological data directly from the water, minimising harm to fragile ecosystems. eDNA also has diverse applications in areas like fisheries management and conservation, where it can be used to track species and monitor biodiversity around Marine Protected Areas.

With eDNA, OceanX is charting a new course for marine research, combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to understanding and protecting our oceans in a more sustainable way.

Mapping the Ocean Floor: The Seabed 2030 Initiative

A key part of OceanX’s mission is supporting the Seabed 2030 initiative, which aims to map the entire ocean floor by the year 2030. Currently, only 26% of the ocean floor has been mapped—a staggering fact when you consider how vital the ocean is to life on Earth. Mapping the ocean floor isn’t just about discovery; it’s essential for understanding marine biodiversity, identifying critical habitats, and even predicting the impacts of climate change.

With advanced technology aboard the OceanX vessel, scientists can map underwater landscapes with precision, unlocking vital information about the hidden corners of the ocean that could lead to the discovery of new species or resources.

Figure 4. Precision mapping tools to chart the unseen depths of the sea. 

Protecting the Oceans for Future Generations

OceanX is doing more than just exploring the unknown—it’s changing the way we understand and protect our oceans. From the advanced technology on their submersibles to their sustainable research practices, OceanX is at the forefront of both discovery and conservation.

The oceans are vital to life on Earth. They regulate our climate, provide food, and support biodiversity. Yet, they are under threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Through their work, OceanX is helping to raise awareness of these issues and offering solutions to protect our seas.

Now more than ever, it’s important to support ocean exploration and conservation efforts. The more we learn about the ocean, the better equipped we are to protect it for future generations. Find out more about OceanX and the amazing things they do here!