Ministry of Earth Science05-May, 2010 15:49 IST
Research Base “Himadri”
“13”

 

            India established a research station at Arctic named “Himadri” at Ny-Alesund in Svalbard region of Norway during the second Indian Arctic expedition which was inaugurated by the then Hon’ble Minister of Earth Sciences on 1st July, 2008 and is in operation since then.

 

            Geologically, Svalbard is unique place where a complete geological column extending from Pre-cambrian is exposed. The close proximity of glaciers, mountains, streams and fjords (a long narrow inlet with steep sides, created in a valley carved by glacial activity, common in Norway) present contrasting environment for research.  The following salient studies have been undertaken/ initiated:

 

Atmospheric Sciences

i.                    Study of polar ionosphere;

ii.                    Measurement of atmospheric electrical parameters to understand global electric circuit;

iii.                    Snow pack production of carbon monoxide and its diurnal variability;

iv.                    Scientific studies of the total solar eclipse over the Arctic on the 1st August 2008;

v.                     

Earth Sciences / Palaeoclimate

i.                    Sedimentology and geomorphology of the Ny-Alesund region and its implication on palaeoclimatic reconstruction;

ii.                    Changes in the quantity and quality of carbon pools in permafrost of Ny-Alesund;

iii.                    Carbon cycling in the nearshore acquatic environments;

iv.                    Multiproxy palaeoclimatic studies on quaternary deposits at Ny-Alesund;

v.                    Palaeoclimatic assessment of Arctic ocean using diatom variability;

vi.                     

Glaciology/Geology

Parameterisation of glaciers in northern hemisphere to variations of climate inter annual and intra annual;

 

Biological Studies

i.      Diversity of heterotrophic bacteria in Arctic water and sediment ;

ii.      Genetic diversity of Marine Vibrios and other organisms isolated from Arctic realms;

iii.      Diversity of Arctic cyanobacteria.

 

            An expenditure of Rs. 1.25 crore was incurred in setting up the base at Ny-Alesund, Norway in Arctic.  

 

            This was stated by Shri Prithviraj Chavan,  Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences in the Lok  Sabha today.

 

 

GG/BS

 

 

                                      

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                            

 


(Release ID :61452)