CHINA GEOTRACES GP08 Section Cruise in the South China Sea

The CHINA GEOTRACES GP08 section cruise aboard the research vessel R/V TAN KAH KEE (Jia-Geng, cruise KK2610) has been successfully completed! It departed from Xiamen, China, on 4 September 2026, and returned to Xiamen on 27 September 2026. The cruise track spanned the region 14–22°N and 111–127°E (see figure below). The expedition was led by Yihua Cai of Xiamen University.

The main objectives of the GP08 cruise and subsequent analyses are to determine the distributions of key trace elements and their isotopes, as well as macro- and micronutrients, in the South China Sea. The study aims to reveal the sources and sinks and cycling mechanisms of micronutrients in the South China Sea, and to understand the coupling mechanisms and dominant regulatory processes between macro- and micronutrient biogeochemical cycles.

In addition, it seeks to clarify the structure and efficiency of carbon fixation via the biological pump in the South China Sea and its potential linkages with the cycling of key biogenic elements.

Cruise chief scientist: Yihua Cai, University of Xiamen, China.