XXII Indian Scientific expedition to Antarctica

 

 

The XXII Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was finalised on 6^th July 2002 by the National Committee for Antarctic Programme. Dr. Arun N. Hanchinal, a geophysicist from Indian Institute of Geomagnetism was selected as the Leader of the expedition. The launching ceremony of XXII IAE was held at Goa on 10.01.2003 and the expedition was flagged off from Cape Town on 14.01.2003. XXII expedition to Antarctica, which arrived Antarctica on 25.01.2003, consisted of 48 members including a total of 33 scientists drawn from 14 National Institutions, out of which 23 members shall winter over in Antarctica and return only during the summer of 2004. The logistic and medical support to the expedition was provided by a contingent from the Indian Army and doctors from the CGHS.

 

 

 

 

The major scientific and logistic objectives of the expedition are:

 

Atmospheric Sciences

 

         Meteorological studies

         Geomagnetic storm & sub-storm through ground magnetic observation

         Application of GPS for crustal deformation, glaciology & atmospheric studies

         Coordinated study of very low frequency (VLF) Phenomena at Antarctica

         Monitoring of green house gases and radiation at Maitri

 

Earth Sciences & Global Change

 

         Geological, glaciological and geo-morphological investigations

         Inter plate kinematics & crustal deformation studies through GPS

         GPR studies to map thickness of ice and rock topography

         Hydrographic surveys in Antarctica using ship fitted echo sounder & GPS

         Study of dielectric properties of Antarctic geophysical materials at c-band microwave frequencies

 

         Study of crack propagation on ice shelf using GPS, GPR and satellite imagery

 

Biology and Environmental Sciences

 

         Exploration of faunal diversity and ecology of moss, algae and lichen inhabiting terrestrial invertebrate fauna of Schirmacher Oasis

 

         Distribution, diversity and air pollutant analysis in lichens of Queen Maudland area

 

         Monitoring of Mercury in the environmental Matrix and Bio-indicators

 

 

Human Physiology and Medicine

 

         Study of higher mental functions in relation to stress and behaviour in expedition members

 

Logistics

 

         Up-Keep of Maitri station

         Maintenance of generators and power supply, central heating, and water supply systems

 

         Convoy operation and maintenance of vehicles/cranes/bull-dozers

         Cargo handling at shelf

         Establishing the field camps

 

Scientific experiments with international linkages

 

         Tele seismic studies of Antarctic continent

 

         Monitoring of icebergs

 

         Planetary Geodetic studies

 

         Bathymetric survey for preparing hydrographic charts

 

         Measurement of geomagnetic field currents in Antarctica

 

         VLF whistler monitoring

 

         Climatological database generation

 

In addition to conducting various scientific experiments and the commissioning and utilization of Telemedicine facilities at Maitri, the following operations, maintenance and repairs were carried out during the wintering period of XXI Antarctic expedition:

         Maintenance of the vehicles.

         Waste water treatment and disposal.

         Wood works.

         Power generation and distribution system.

         Support in the conduction of scientific activities.

         Fire fighting and its prevention.

         Central heating and water supply.

         Deep Freezers.

         Fuel decanting, storage and supply.

         Running of service convoys and handling of fuel.

 

After Successful completion of the scientific & logistics task, the summer component of the XXII expedition shall commence its return voyage from Antarctica tentatively on 27^th March,2003 leaving behind the winter team of 23 persons. Accompanying the returning team would be the winter team of the XXI expedition consisting of 25 members led by Shri. R.P. Lal, a Meteorologist from India Meteorological Department.