Samudrayaan Mission: India's Sea Adventure and Unlocking a Wealth of Future Resources

India’s Deep Sea Mission:

The goal of this project is to develop deep sea technology for the sustainable use of ocean resources while also unraveling the mysteries of the deep ocean's core for resources. primarily intended at assisting the Indian government's Blue Economy objectives, with the ministry of earth sciences (MoES) serving as the main ministry to carry out this multi-institutional ambitious purpose. With this expedition, India will join a select group of countries that have developed specialized equipment and vehicles for subsea activities, including the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China.

According to the ministry of earth sciences, the mission's goal is to investigate the deep ocean in a manner akin to the space exploration that ISRO began nearly 35 years ago.

What is Samudrayaan Mission?

In order to better study ocean ecology, Samudrayaan, India's first human ocean mission, was launched with specialized equipment and vehicles.

• The goal of the expedition is to deploy three people in the "MATSYA 6000" vehicle to a depth of 6000 meters to explore deep-sea resources including minerals. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, is designing and developing the "MATSYA 6000" vehicle for the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• For the safety of people, it can operate for 12 hours normally and 96 hours in an emergency.
• It is a part of the Rs 6000-crore Deep Ocean project and is India's first original manned ocean project.

Significance of this mission:

• Through direct observation and interaction, the manned submersible will enable scientific professionals to study uncharted deep-sea regions.
• It will also strengthen the central government's plan for a "New India," which includes the blue economy as one of the top ten growth drivers.
• There are nine coastal states and 1,382 islands along India's 7517 kilometers of coastline, which is in a unique marine position.
• With the oceans on three of its sides and around 30% of the people living along the shore, the coastal regions are important for India's economy.
• It promotes aquaculture, tourism, subsistence, and blue trade.

By the year 2026, the Samudrayaan Mission is anticipated to be completed, according to the Ministry of Earth Science.

Exploring the Depths: NIOT's Cutting-edge Underwater Technologies:

• For the exploration of the deep sea, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, an independent institute under the MoES, has created a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) with a 6000m depth rating as well as numerous other underwater instruments, including the Autonomous Coring System (ACS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and Deep Sea Mining System (DSM)

The Ministry of Earth Sciences estimates a five-year timetable for the years 2020-2021 through 2025-2026.

The creation of a manned submersible:

To aid in the research of deep ocean waters, this submersible will feature a variety of scientific sensors and tools.

Direct intervention will make it easier for scientific professionals to examine and comprehend uncharted deep-sea regions. The government claims that this specialized technology will make it easier to conduct deep ocean exploration for non-living resources like as polymetallic manganese nodules, methane hydrates, hydro-thermal sulfides, and cobalt crusts, which are found at depths of between 1000 and 5500 meters.

Polymetallic nodule mining:

According to a government news release, an integrated mining system will also be developed to mine polymetallic nodules from a depth of 600 m in the central Indian Ocean. Polymetallic nodules, sometimes referred to as manganese nodules, are abundant on the ocean floor in deep water and are potato-shaped and mainly porous. In addition to manganese and iron, they also include other elements with strategic and economic value, such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and lead.

When the International Seabed Authority, a UN entity, develops a commercial exploitation code, the mineral exploration investigations will pave the way for commercial exploitation in the near future. The exploration and exploitation of deep sea minerals and energy, a priority sector for the Blue Economy, will benefit from this component.

Why is India relevant in terms of polymetallic nodules?

The UN International Sea Bed Authority has given India a location measuring 75,000 square kilometers in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) for the mining of polymetallic nodules (PMN).

According to the ministry of earth sciences, 10% of the recovery of that substantial reserve is expected to be sufficient to supply India's energy needs for the next 100 years.

At the bottom of the Central Indian Ocean's oceans, there are reportedly 380 million metric tonnes of polymetallic nodules. The 2.2 million square kilometer Exclusive Economic Zone of India is "unexplored and unutilized" in the deep ocean.

To research important climate factors:

The second part of the project involves creating a collection of observational tools and mathematical models to analyze key climate indicators and produce estimates for the future. Coastal tourism is a Blue Economy priority area that is supported by these ocean climate change advisory services.

Explore Deep-Sea Biodiversity:

• Thirdly, technical advancements will be made as part of the Samudrayaan effort to discover and protect deep-sea biodiversity. The primary emphasis will be on studies on the sustainable exploitation of deep sea bio-resources.
• The study of multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralization over the mid-oceanic ridges of the Indian Ocean makes up the fourth element. The ministry will create an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology as part of the project.
• The fifth will concentrate on developing an offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant that will use tidal energy.

Conclusion:

India's Deep Sea Mission aims to break new ground in sustainable deep sea resource use and explore the mysterious depths. India's Samudrayaan Mission is a ground-breaking endeavor that uses cutting-edge technology like the "MATSYA 6000" to investigate mineral-rich seabeds.

This project helps the Blue Economy and elevates India to the ranks of top subsea innovation nations. India's maritime significance enters a new era of discovery and innovation as the expedition explores unexplored waters and stimulates economic growth, climate research, biodiversity protection, and green energy solutions.