Challenges in Southern Ocean oceanographic research: Indian efforts and preliminary results

Abstract

The Indian pilot expedition to Southern, Ocean was launched by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa in January 2004. During this expedition a number of studies/experiments such as atmospheric observations, physical oceanographic observations, biological studies and chemical oceanographic observations were undertaken. In addition, to understand and reconstruct palaeoclimatic conditions in this part of the world, a number of surface and sub-surface sediment samples were collected along a north-south transect from 9.69 degrees N to 55.01 degrees S between 80 and 40 degrees E long. The preliminary results of these studies in varied fields are presented here. These efforts of Indian scientists on Southern Ocean oceanography have yielded valuable data. The encouraging results have their bearing on the understanding and reconstruction of the glacial hydrography, sea ice extent and changes (if any) in the position of the palaeo front during the Holocene and the LGM over this sector of the Southern Ocean.