Source: The post is based on the article “Deep Ocean Mission: a challenge harder than going to space” published in “The Hindu” on 8th November 2023
Why in the News?
India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is an ambitious initiative aimed at exploring and harnessing the immense potential of the ocean’s depths.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
| Specifications | Details |
| Initiative of | Ministry of Earth Sciences |
| Launched in | 2021 |
| Aim | To develop technologies and capabilities for deep sea exploration. |
| Part of | It is one of nine missions under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC). |
| Duration of the mission | Five Years |
| Key Pillars | 1.Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean. 2.Ocean climate change advisory services. 3.Technological innovations for the exploration of deep-sea biodiversity. 4.Deep-ocean survey and exploration to identify potential sites of minerals 5.Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean 6.Establishing an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology. |
Note:
– The United Nations(UN) has declared the decade 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
– The Government of India’s Vision of New India by 2030 announced in 2019 highlighted the Blue Economy as one of the ten core dimensions of growth
What is the progress made in the Deep Ocean Mission?
1.Samudrayaan Mission: It was launched in 2021. It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
– Aim: To send 3 people to a depth of 6,000 meters in the sea in a manned submersible vehicle called MATSYA 6000.
– The submersible will allow scientific personnel to observe and understand unexplored deep sea areas by direct interventions.
– Implementation: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai is designing and developing the Samudrayan project and it is likely to be ready by 2026.
– Note: Targeting a depth of 6,000 meters is a significant decision because it houses valuable resources such as polymetallic nodules and sulphides.
2.Varaha: It is a self propelled track-based underwater mining system.The NIOT successfully conducted deep-sea locomotion trials of ‘Varaha’ at a depth of 5,270 m in the central Indian Ocean.
– This achievement marked the world’s deepest dive for an underwater mining machine.
What are the challenges in the Deep Ocean Mission?
1.High Pressure Conditions: Pressure in deep oceans is remarkably high, creating challenges for equipment and materials.
2.Soft and Muddy Ocean Floor: Landing on the ocean bed is challenging due to its soft and muddy surface.
3.Material Extraction: Extracting materials from the ocean bed requires significant power and energy to pump them to the surface.
4.Visibility and Light: Limited natural light penetration in deep oceans restricts visibility to only a few tens of meters below the surface.
5.Additional Complications: Factors like temperature variations, corrosion, and salinity present additional challenges that need to be addressed during exploration and resource extraction.
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