http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3319 Search the Channel search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/simple-search http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3358 Title: Polar research in India <br/> <br/>Authors: Nayak, Shailesh <br/> <br/>Abstract: India has great strides in Polar sciences since the first Indian Scientific Antarctic Expedition. It has bi-hemispherical approach to Polar science and have permanent stations at Antarctic. Recently, ‘Himadri’ the Indian research base at Arctic have been established in 2008. Atmospheric science, geosciences, biology, environmental sciences, human physiology, medical science, cold region engineering and communication are the prime programs pursued consistently as a part of Polar research. Monitoring of fluctuations of the Antarctic sea ice indicate an increase of about 2.4% increase per decade. Systematic geological mapping of about 20, 000 sq.km area of east Antarctica had been completed. Many scientific institutions like Geological Survey of India, India Meteorological Department, Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, DRDO and CSIR are regular participants in annual Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica. There is a substantial increase in the financial support to the Polar research. The National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research established in April 1999 is mandated to plan, promote, coordinate and execute the polar research program of India, as the nodal agency. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 352-357 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3357 Title: Crustal structure deduced from Gravity Modeling off Prydz Bay, East Antarctica <br/> <br/>Authors: Singh, U. K.; Rajan, S.; Pandey, D. K. <br/> <br/>Abstract: A high resolution satellite gravity and bathymetry data along two N-S trending profiles have been interpreted using gravity forward modeling technique off Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. The crustal density model indicates the oceanic crust has a distinctive character with a smooth upper surface and the Moho depth varies from ~20 km shoreward to <12 km offshore. The Moho shallows from~19 km to 15 km in between 60 and 80 km along the pfofile A-A’. It occurs around 13 km further offshore. The present study infers the presence of ~8 km thick sediments on the southern side while in the north the thickness is about 2 km. The shelf break occurs between 120-130 km from the beginning of the profile A-A’ and between 40 and 70 km along the profile B-B’. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 419-423 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3356 Title: Studies on the nutrient distribution in the Southern Ocean waters along the 45° E transect <br/> <br/>Authors: Rajakumar, A; Alagarsamy, R; Khare, N; Saraswat, R; Subramaniam, M M <br/> <br/>Abstract: Seawater samples from the surface as well as at different depths of the water column were collected from 30 stations during the Pilot Expedition to Southern Ocean (PESO). The sampling stations were along a transect between latitude 27º59’48” S and 56º00’14” S and longitude 50º E and 45º E in the Indian Ocean Sector of the Southern Ocean. An attempt has been made to study the nutrient distribution in the water column. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, surface temperature and surface dissolved oxygen have also been studied. The results are useful to infer the mixing of different water mass and distribution of nutrients in the surface and below surface water column. A first order comparison of surface water physico-chemical parameters in the study area with the planktic foraminiferal abundance shows a profound influence of seawater pH on the planktic foraminiferal abundance in the southwestern Indian Ocean. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 424-429 http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/3355 Title: Polices and prospects of Indian Polar Research — Interview of Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India <br/> <br/>Abstract: India has launched the first Indian Scientific Antarctic Expedition in 1981. Since then there were 28 scientific expeditions to Antarctica. Polar research in India has witnessed many significant developments for the last twenty-eight years. Many noteworthy projects and programs have been developed to promote Polar Research in India during the residency of Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India. The XXX Antarctica Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) held on 30th April 2007 at New Delhi and the Indian research base ‘Himadri’, established in 2008 at Arctic, are the tangible mile stones of above projects. Shri Sibal has visited the Indian research base at Antarctic and Arctic and has personally experience the harsh working environment of our dedicated scientists at the Indian research stations of Antarctic and Arctic. Among the countries associated with Polar Research Shri Sibal is the only Minister, who has under taken the torturous and risky challenge of going to Antarctica and Arctic and has a first hand experience of working environment of researchers. IJMS presents the response of Shri Sibal on the ongoing projects and future prospects of Polar Research Program of India. <br/> <br/>Page(s): 343-351