TNPSC Current Affairs April 2017
CSIR-NIO develops a robot
to dive deep to study Ocean (SREP)
Scientist
at the Dona Paula based Group of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography
(CSIR-NIO) has developed a robotic platform, which can be stationed at any
depth from 0-200 meters to track Oceanic Process
Scientists
at CSIR-NIO have developed a robotic platform, Seabed Resident Event Profiler
(SREP), which can be stationed at any water depth down to 200 meters along the
Indian Ocean.
SREP
has been tested during the voyage of RV Sindhu Sadhana along the Coast.
About
SREP:
- Seabed
Resident Event Profiler(SREP) is designed mainly to studies related to Monsoon,
global climate and upwelling
- It is designed to track oceanic processes such as upwelling that
occurs regularly during June to September which is important for the ecosystem
sustenance and fishery.
- It has several sensors that can detect the
conditions associated with upwelling such as low temperature, low oxygen, high
nutrients, and changes in density patterns are placed on this platform.
- It records the water column information
regularly as programmed at every 10 to 25cm during every profile four times a
day, stores the data and communicates the same to users at the institute.
- It has configured to sit on the seabed for
100 days continuously
What is Upwelling:
When
wind-blown parallel to ocean surface which push the surface water offshore and
water is drawn from the below to replace the surface water which has been
pushed away. The upward movement of water is called Upwelling.
The
water rises to the surface during upwelling is typically colder and is rich in
Nutrients. These nutrient fertilize surface water, which encourage growth of
seaweeds and phytoplankton and make Good Fishing Grounds.
