Context

• India's Deep Ocean Mission has discovered an active hydrothermal vent 4,500 metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean.

About India's Deep Ocean Mission

• The Deep Ocean Mission, approved by the Cabinet, was launched in September 2021 as a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Samudrayaan is one of the key projects under this mission.
• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is working on developing a manned submersible capable of carrying three people to a depth of 6000 meters. The Deep Ocean Mission, with an estimated cost of Rs. 4077 crores over five years (2021-2026), has allocated Rs. 150 crores for 2021-22 and Rs. 650 crores for 2022-23.

Major Objectives:

• Developing technologies for mining deep-sea resources like polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean at 5500 meters depth.
• Designing and developing a manned submersible for 6000-meter depth, along with technologies for underwater vehicles and robotics.
• Predicting future trends in sea level, cyclone intensity, storm surges, wind waves, biogeochemistry, and ecosystems affecting fisheries under climate change scenarios, especially for the North Indian Ocean.
• Installing deep-ocean observation systems in depths greater than 2 km in the Indian Ocean.
• Cataloging and developing a DNA bank for deep-sea fauna of the Northern Indian Ocean using remotely operated vehicles for systematic sampling.
• Developing technologies to isolate deep-sea microbes and screen them for novel biomolecules through culture-based and metagenomic approaches.
• Exploring the formation of life-friendly molecules and components in the deep sea.
• Identifying potential sites for multi-metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralization along Indian Ocean ridges.
• Acquiring a new, all-weather multidisciplinary research vessel for Indian Ocean operations.
• Designing a high-capacity offshore OTEC-powered desalination plant.
• Assessing performance of critical components like deep-sea cold-water conduits and mooring systems through scaled demonstrations.
• Integrating advanced research in marine biology, ecology, and engineering by establishing a Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
• Translating research into industrial applications and product development through business incubators.
• Building capacity in marine biosciences through collaboration with French institutes, sending top Indian candidates for specialized training.
• Promoting national and international collaboration in marine science and ocean technology research and education.

Hydrothermal vents

• Hydrothermal vents are underwater openings where hot, mineral-rich water escapes from the Earth's crust, usually along mid-ocean ridges. Formed by volcanic activity, these vents support unique ecosystems, with organisms relying on chemosynthesis for energy.
• They provide insights into deep-sea life and geological processes in extreme environments.