Atmospheric Sciences
Profiling of ozone and dynamics of ozone hole by India Meteorological
Department (IMD), using a Brewer Spectrophotometer and by regular
ozone sonde assents. This was supplemented by measurement of
trace gases like SO2 & NO2.
Geomagnetic studies by Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG),
Mumbai to understand the dynamics of mobile magnetic current
systems in the Antarctic atmosphere. Three fluxgate magnetometers
and Rio meters were operated to obtain the velocity of mobile auroral
current systems that leave back geomagnetic pulsations.
Climatological and meteorological studies to generate meteorological
models for understanding the patterns of Antarctic circulation in the
context to global and Indian weather system, by India Meteorological
Department from the permanent observatory at Maitri.
VLF radio wave propagation studies by monitoring whistlers, which
are a powerful tool for exploring the ionospheric and magnetospheric
interactions. This experiment, which was mounted by the Barkatullah
University, Bhopal will contribute to the international programme on
VLF monitoring from Antarctica.
Earth Sciences
Geological Mapping and petro-geochemical sampling by the Geological
Survey of India (GSI) covering an unmapped area of 1000 sq. km in
the Kurze and Holtedahl ranges of Orwin Mountains and preparation
of geomorphological map of the Schirmacher Oasis region.
Glaciological studies by GSI to monitor the movement of the polar ice
front in the Schirmacher Oasis region.
Teleseismic studies through the establishment of a permanent digital
broadband seismometer by the National Geophysical Research
Institute for monitoring the crustal disturbances and seismic activities
of the continent. This observatory was linked to the international
chain of observatories in Antarctica.
Planetary Geodetic studies by the National Geophysical Research
Institute through continuous geodetic recordings from a permanent
GPS observatory at Maitri as a part of SCAR mounted GPS Epoch
campaign.
Topographical mapping by the Survey of India for generating close-
contour topographical maps and for providing precise ground control
points for referencing.
Global Change Studies
Snow Drift and Albedo studies by Snow and Avalanche Study
Establishment to understand the net energy exchange budget
between the atmosphere and the different snow-ice terrains in
Antarctica. The Albedo was measured through a number of
experiments under different physical conditions.
Palyno-stratigraphic studies by the Birbal Sahni Institute of
Paloeobotany, Lucknow, aimed at eliciting the paleoclimatic and
environmental changes dating back to the last glacial maxima (ca.
18000 yrs BP) through the lake stratigraphy studies.
Biological Sciences
Morpho-taxonomical survey of Bryophytes of Antarctica by the
Botanical Survey of India as a part of the ongoing studies on
biodiversity in Antarctica.
Bio-ecological studies of invertebrate fauna by the Zoological Survey
of India, in order to catalogue the bio-diversity of invertebrate fauna
inhabiting algae and lichen with special reference to collembola and
mites in the Schirmacher Oasis.
Environmental Conservation
Environment Impact Assessment Studies by the National
Environmental & Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), through a
comprehensive environmental monitoring of the Indian Antarctic
activities in Maitri and its surroundings aimed at providing an
Environment Management Plan (EMP) for Maitri station.
Human Biology & Medicine
The Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), Delhi,
mounted a new experiment to study the effect of ultra violet
radiation and cold stress on human immune system at Antarctica.
Psycho-physiological investigations by the Defence Institute of
Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Delhi in collaboration with
AIIMS to understand the inter-personnel attraction, emotional
intelligence and affiliation amongst expedition team during different
phases of their stay in Antarctica.
Engineering & Communication
Structural engineering and fuel cell studies: Research and
Development Engineering Establishment (R&DE), Pune, continued
the studies on condition monitoring of the structural components
of the station under low temperature conditions. A novel aspect of
these studies included an online health monitoring of various
infrastructural facilities through computer networking.
Communication technology: The Defence Electronics & Application
Laboratory (DEAL), Delhi was responsible for the maintenance and
upgradation of the communication linkages from Maitri.
Wind energy utilization in Antarctica: The National Aeronautical Laboratory
(NAL), Bangalore has already established small portable wind turbine systems
of 100W capacity for stand alone use in Antarctica. As a part of this ongoing
project, they inducted modified wind turbines for remote applications. NAL
continued the energy auditing of the station and make measurements of
specific wind parameters on a year round basis.
