Paleoclimate Field Highlights

Field efforts were initiated in 2004, during the pilot expedition to Southern Ocean. The group members were part of various Indian Antarctic and Arctic expeditions. Some of the field highlights are:

  • During the pilot Expedition to Southern Ocean, Phytoplankton samples along with other physicochemical parameters were collected in the Southern ocean. Several sediment cores and surface sediment samples were also collected. This expedition started the Indian initiatives in Diatom and Coccolithophore studies in Indian sector of Southern Ocean.
  • During the second Indian scientific Expedition to Southern ocean, apart from the Phytoplankton samples, plankton net sampling was done for zooplankton like planktic foraminifera.
  • During 2008, sampling was done in Kongsfjorden, Arctic as part of the Indian Arctic expedition. Water as well as sediment sampling was done for phytoplankton and Zooplankton analysis. The lateral advection of Transformed Atlantic water was demarcated using benthic foraminifera. The distribution, size and food availability of benthic foraminifera within the fjord were studied.
  • During 2009, as part of the 3rd Indian Scientific Expedition to Southern Ocean, carbon chemistry studies were initiated. Along with carbon, nitrogen, silicate and phosphate cycles were studied.
  • During 2010, as part of the 4th Indian Scientific Expedition to Southern Ocean Phytoplankton distribution along with the associated physicochemical parameters was studied upto Antarctica. Sediment cores were also collected in the Subtropical and the sub Antarctic frontal regions.
  • Members of the group participated in the 31st Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica during Jan-Feb 2012. Surface sampling in southern ocean as well as Antarctic coast were done. Biogeochemical sampling was done under the sea ice. Lake water as well as sediment sampling was carried out at Larsemann Hills as well as Schirmacher Oasis.

During June-July 2012, group member participated in Arctic expedition as part of Kongsfjorden long term monitoring programme. This also led to first Indian initiatives in carbon dioxide chemistry in the Arctic