Hydrographic and physical oceanographic studies could enhance the national data bank. They could also greatly assist the various national agencies in correlating their work with the Antarctic waters' bathymetric and physical properties, leading to an improved understanding of the characteristics of the Antarctica waters. The bathymetric data gathered near the permanent station 'Maitri' could be utilised to exchange data with other nations like Russia and IHO. As per the charting scheme promulgated by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), INT Chart Nos. 9050 and 9051 are required to be co-produced by Russia and India. In the INT Chart 9050, vast blank areas exist due to the non-availability of bathymetric data. Thus, concerted efforts are required to fill in these gaps by undertaking systematic hydrographic surveys. These ocean areas are close to the permanent station in Antarctica. It is in the best interest of India to have a well surveyed navigational chart near the permanent station.
TopIntroduction
The Antarctic is a vast but little known area of the globe which is assuming an ever increasing importance as man’s frontiers of knowledge (Dixon, 1965). The Antarctic represents unique challenges for surveying and charting due to its remoteness, severe climatic conditions (Nairn, 2010). Indubitably, the need for accurate and reliable nautical charts is essential specially with the increasing number of vessels of all sizes navigating the area for scientific research, in support of national Antarctic programs (Nairn, 2010). The survey and charting of bodies of water, such as seas, lakes, rivers, etc., are known as Hydrography (http://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=299&Itemid=289). The parameters of the seas and the oceans augments the hydrographic mapping. It primarily focuses on the shape of the bottom of such water bodies. Initially, it has been associated with the safe and optimum operation of shipping. With rapid expansion in little-known territory, it has not always been easy for the ships reaching to the Antarctic waters to move for much of their time in little surveyed, and often completely uncharted, waters (Wynne-Edwards, 1960). Still, its relevance in protecting the marine environment and coastal studies has become more evident in the twentieth century. It is also essential for disaster warning and response, as learned from the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. The environment in Antarctica is changing perhaps more rapidly than anywhere else in the world (Jones-Couture, 2020). Antarctic waters are one of the most challenging and fragile marine regions on the face of the globe. Accurate charts are essential to help and guide human activity in the area. Navigation data is poorly available in Antarctica. If navigational data is available it often dates back to the early 1900s with many lead line surveys (Wilkins et. al., 2013). It is estimated currently only 10% of Antarctic waters are surveyed to IHO specifications, with some charts dating as far back as the 1900s (Jones-Couture, 2020). Hydrographic training is expensive, and assets are scarce. Hence, coordination of international efforts is of the utmost importance (Report on Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, 2007).
Scope of Hydrographic Survey
To publish the Navigational Chart INT 9051 and 9050. The following scope of the work involved.
- 1.
Collection of nearly 20000 nautical miles of bathymetric data to publish the chart
- 2.
Collection of 250 Nautical Miles (approx.) of coastline data of the Ice shelf area
- 3.
To collect meteorological and oceanographic data in the area
- 4.
Tide observation of the area
- 5.
Tidal stream observation in the area
- 6.
Collection of seabed samples if feasible
- 7.
Sound velocity assessment.
- 8.
Reconfirmation and Validation of the data collected during the previous expeditions.