A group of researchers from the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) successfully carried out high-resolution deep-sea exploration and imaging at a hydrothermal sulfide field.
The deep sea area was found at a depth of 4,500 meters within the Central and South West Indian Ridges of the Southern Indian Ocean.
This pioneering journey, conducted in December 2024 on the research ship Sagar Nidhi, represents the inaugural exploration of this kind at these particular locations.
Employing the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) named the Ocean Mineral Explorer (OMe 6000), created by NIOT, the group headed by Dr. NR Ramesh successfully collected detailed images and obtained essential data from the hydrothermal vents.
These vents are recognized for their distinct ecosystems and mineral deposits, which hold important significance for scientific studies and potential resource harvesting.
The mission is a component of India’s extensive Deep Ocean Mission, intended to improve knowledge of marine resources and biodiversity while creating technologies for sustainable utilization.
Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has highlighted the significance of these explorations for meeting India’s objectives related to economic growth and environmental sustainability, stating that investigating less-explored areas such as the deep sea is crucial for fulfilling India’s vision for 2047.
The hydrothermal sulphide fields attract attention because they contain abundant deposits of precious minerals like gold, silver, and copper.
The effective launch of OMe 6000 illustrates India’s progress in deep-sea technology and places the nation in a distinguished group of countries able to undertake such critical underwater exploration.
With India’s ongoing investment in deep-sea capabilities, this expedition marks an important advancement in comprehending the intricacies of marine ecosystems and leveraging their potential for the future.
