The Potential of Deep Sea Research and Ocean Expedition Activities

This general lecture was held on March 16, 2023, through a Zoom meeting with the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Muhammad Fadli, S.Si., M.Si, from  researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia. This general lecture discusses the potential of deep-sea research and ocean expedition activities which include the concept of deep-sea research, issues related to the deep sea, the potential of oceanic research in Indonesia, the history of marine research in Indonesia, track records of deep-sea research, deep sea research projects at BRIN and challenges of deep-sea research in Indonesia.

Deep ocean research focuses on depths below the thermocline (>2000 meters) following the guidelines of the deep ocean observing strategy (DOOS) document adopted from the Global Ocean Observing strategy (GOOS) document. Issues related to the deep sea are the potential for deep sea mining, such as seafloor sediments and potential seafloor materials used for medicine, cosmetics, supplements, and catalysts. In addition, knowledge of the deep sea is essential because the deep ocean is vital in regulating the earth’s climate.

At the end of the activity, students were allowed to discuss the material presented by the speakers. One of the students asked about the obstacles encountered when conducting marine research. This public lecture activity went smoothly.