I. Development Goals

Our institute is developing under the framework of marine geology, resources, and environment. With the combination of science and engineering, we study the structure, tectonics, and evolution of continental margins and deep-sea basins, analyze the deep-sea sedimentary processes, explore the distribution of seafloor mineral resources, construct the mechanisms and corresponding technologies related to marine resources and environment. Furthermore, we cultivate high-level talents who are in line with the frontier of Marine Geology and Geophysics. Eventually we are trying to become a world-class research institute in the field of marine geology.

II. Essential Research Foci

1. Marine Geology and seafloor resources

Our researches focus on the interaction between lithosphere and hydrosphere; distribution, and ore-forming conditions of deep-sea mineral resources, such as gas hydrate, deep-water oil and gas, mid-oceanic ridge hydrothermal sulfides, and seafloor manganese nodules. In addition, we develop mechanisms and corresponding methods for exploration of seafloor resources, marine geophysical exploration, satellite remote sensing, chemical sensors, and so on. 

2. Estuarine and coastal sedimentation and marine petroleum resources

Theories and methods on the dynamics process of sedimentation, basin fluids evolution, and petroleum systems analyses are applied synthetically to reveal the genetic relationship between the chemical and dynamic behavior of the underground fluid in sedimentary basins. We have distinguished disciplinary characteristics, and preliminarily established the theoretical system of basin fluid evolution and petroleum accumulation. Our studies focus on the origin and distribution of oil and gas in marine basins and coastal basins, e.g., Bohai Bay, East China Sea, South China Sea, Africa, the Middle East, and to predict the favorable exploration area and target strata.

3. Marine geophysics, seismology, and geotectonics

It covers the study of the ocean, crust in the continent-ocean transition zone, lithosphere and deep mantle. At present, the research fields include the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere, the tectonic evolution of continental margin, the basic research on the landing mechanism of oceanic crust and its mineralization, plate subduction and continental collision zone movement, earthquake genesis (including Asian disastrous earthquakes), lithospheric rheology, and  multi-disciplinary, cross-integrated system research (including Qinghai-Tibet Plateau research).  

4. Monitoring and restoration of marine environment, and resource utilization

On accounts of coastal environmental pollution and marine ecological environmental disasters (e.g., red tide), we investigate the typical parameters that are sensitive to environmental changes, develop chemical sensors to in-situ monitor environment-sensitive parameters, and propose environmental remediation technology. These works will help better monitor the dynamic environmental changes and facilitating the restoration and protection of marine environment and ecology. Micron-sized and nanoscale mineral waste residue and soil particales, and marine waste resources as additives can be utilized as resources such of soil conditioners through a technological package.

III. Faculty Members

There are currently 12 full-time teaching and research faculty members, including 4 professors, 1 researcher, 2 associate researchers, 4 associate professors, 1 lecturer. There are 6 adjunct professors from the Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources.