11th Expedition of an Indian Mission to the Southern Ocean

📌 The South African oceanographic research vessel, SA Agulhas has started its journey for the 11th expedition of an Indian mission to the Southern Ocean, or Antarctic Ocean from Port Louis (Mauritius).

📌 Currently, the research vessel was located at Prydz Bay, in the coastal waters of “Bharati”, India’s third station in Antarctica.

# The Expedition consists of six core projects:

1) Hydrodynamics and biogeochemistry of the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean at different depths. 

2) Observations of movement of trace gases (halogens and dimethyl sulphur) '

3) Study of organisms namely, coccolithophores (existed in the oceans for several million years). The study of their concentrations in sediments will create a picture of past climate.

4) Investigate atmospheric aerosols and their optical and radiative properties. 

5) Study the Southern Ocean’s impact on Indian monsoons.

6) Dynamics of the food web in the Southern Ocean which will help to implement sustainable fishing.