Progress Report of the first batch of XXVI ISEA

NCAOR (Ice Core Drilling Program):

A major long-term collaborative program between NCAOR and GSI (Antarctic Dvn.) was initiated from 2005-06 to obtain several representative ice cores along a coastal to inland transect in the Central Dronning Maud Land. The project contributes to one of the most significant multi-national scientific initiative by the SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) called ITASE (International Trans Antarctic Scientific Expedition). The first ice core as part of the above project was retrieved near the Humboldt Mountains during the 25^th IAE Summer. Since it is essential to have representative ice cores from the coastal region, it was proposed to collect two ice cores from the ice shelf region north of the Schirmacher Oasis. 

 Accordingly, a surface convoy lead by Lt. Col. J .Rao, OIC and Dy. Leader , 25^th IAE, was departed from Maitri on 17^th Nov 2006 at 09.00 hrs for transferring the drilling equipments, supporting facilities as well as personnel carrying out the drilling operation. The convoy reached the proposed site at 20.30 hrs and after a reconnaissance field survey, the drilling site was selected (Location: 70º11'57.4" South & Longitude 12º27' 25.1" East). Three members of the joint NCAOR-GSI scientific team (Thamban Meloth, P.K. Shrivastava & P. C. George) and three supporting members from Indian Army (E. Cutinha, D. Chakravarthy & Manoj Kumar) remained at the drilling site and the remaining logistics team returned after the establishment of the drilling camp.

 The detailed report on the drilling operation is given below: 

 Salient observations:

1. The first phase of drilling operation in the shelf was very successful with recovery of 75 m long ice core.

2. Both the scientific and logistic team provided excellent contribution and the team spirit among the members was remarkable.

3. The drilling operation proved to be a model for cooperation from the logistic team to the scientific programs and needs to be highly appreciated. (Dr. Thamban Meloth, Scientist, NCAOR).

A brief account of the joint convoy between the Indian and Russian team of the XXV ISEA.

Indo-Russian Joint Convoy: 

The Indian and Russian Antarctic Programmes on this white desert for the past many years have had cordial relationship and mutual understanding in every aspect of the expedition and striving to cooperate in Antarctic Research for the Pursuance of Polar Science within the Antarctic Treaty System between the two Countries.  Below is one such example of the cooperation extended to the Novo base station by the Logistic Team of the XXV ISEA.

Transportation of 80 KL of aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo runway:   

Based on the information received from Shri Rasik Ravindra, Director,  NCAOR on 27 Oct 06 in response to the request made by Mr Lukin, Director, Russian Antarctic Expedition “as there was an urgent need of transporting aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo Airstrip for refueling of IL – 76 flight” an emergency meeting was held at Maitri Station along with Shri L. Prem Kishore, Leader and Lt Col. R. Janardhana Rao, Deputy Leader of Maitri Station and Mr Nikonov Nikolay, Leader,  Mr Zakhavatov Pavel Convoy Chief  and Mr Voronov Pavel of Novo Station. A detailed plan was worked out after having a thorough discussion of the modalities for a Joint Convoy involving members and vehicles from both the stations around 6^th/7th of November 2006 depending upon the prevailing weather conditions to bring 80 KL of aviation kerosene from the Russian Barrier to the Novo Runway. The entire operation was then entrusted to Lt Col R Janardhana Rao for its timely execution.

The information was received at a very crucial juncture as the time available was only 15 days for the complete operation. At this point of time the logistic team of XXV ISEA was fully preoccupied with a preplanned logistic activity for the establishment of the Summer camp, repair and retrieval of four snow mobiles from the shelf that were to be executed by 10 Nov 06. Given to the unpredictable weather conditions of Antarctica, a commitment of this kind was an uphill task to be fulfilled. However, towards enhancing the relations, cooperation and mutual understanding between Novo and Maitri, a commitment was made despite all odds.

In order to meet the ultimate plan of transporting 80 KL fuel from barrier to Novo runway, a new logistic plan was adopted for Maitri for the next 15 days, leading to a quick layout of the Summer camp living modules which continued till mid night on 29 -30 October 2006. A 10 day convoy (longest period on a convoy during this expedition) for the complete operation to the shelf was planned. After the preparations were made, the convoy moved from Maitri on 1^st December 2006. Events there after were planned as under.

(a)       01 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from Maitri with three snow mobiles and six members.

(b)       01 – 04 Nov 06         - Repair and retrieval of two vehicles from two different locations on the convoy route.

(c)       04 – 05 Nov 06         - Repair of one vehicle at the shelf (these two days were lost due to a heavy blizzard). 

(d)       06- 07 Dec 06           - These two days were kept as reserve to meet the Contingencies, which facilitated in completing  the work that could not be finished in the last two days due to blizzard.

(e)       07 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from Indian bay with Six  vehicles, Four fuel Tankers, generator, living module (Banjara) and six members.

(f)        08 Nov 06                 - Arrival of convoy at the Russian barrier. Decanting of fuel completed at 2100 hrs.

(g)       09 Nov 06                 - Move of convoy from the Russian barrier at 1000 hrs.

(g)       10 Nov 06                 - Arrival of convoy at Novo Airbase and handing over of 80 KL aviation kerosene fuel

The flight arrival two days earlier than scheduled has created some amount of confusion. However, the scheduled delivery of fuel on 10^th November

2006 as planned was stuck to and completed with out any deliberations. The logistic team has lived up to its motto ‘Strive & Thrive’ despite the time constraints and a 10 day long convoy facing all odds of Antarctic weather. It is an exhibition of grit and determination of the team in meeting the required dead line in spite of any adverse situation to meet the hour of crisis.

May and June the peak winter months at Maitri have marked rich scientific dividends. 

The summary of activities follows.

Geophysics:

A )       Regular observations in seismological Observatory: 

1. Broad Band Sensor KS2000M with Geotech Smart24R Digitizer, recording digital data on a continuous basis

2. Short period S-13 Sensors with Reftek DAS unit along with Reftek RT121-03 recording digital data on a continuous basis.

3. Analogue Recording by Teledyne Geotech Analog Recorder (Portacorder RV 320B) with S-13 Seismometer.

4. Preliminary analysis of seismic events carried on regular basis and 60 seismic events for the month of May have been recorded.  Two events of above 8.0 Magnitude have been recorded on 16^th May and 29^th May 2006.  30 seismic events have been recorded for the Month of June 2006.

5. Downloading the seismic event files and archiving them for further processing and analysis at headquarters.

6. Archiving the Digital Seismic data and storing in relevant format.

7. The Turbo Rouge GPS Receiver is in operation on a continuous basis and GPS data accumulated is in the form of Turbo Binary at an interval of 15 secs.  The same is converted into RINEX format for further processing.

8. Ashtech GPS Receiver is in operation on a continuous basis and the GPS data accumulated is in the form of Ashtech Binary at an interval of 15 secs.  The same is converted into RINEX format for further processing.

9. The GPS data is stored in respective format for further processing and analysis at Headquarter.

Regular maintenance of the above systems is taken care for continuous operation. A log book is maintained regularly and all the parameters involved in the operation of the above systems is made note off for the smooth operation of the Laboratories. 

(Scientists: L. Prem Kishore, S.V.R.R. Rao, NGRI).

B)                Geomagnetism:     

The Magnetic variation data from the Digital, Flux Gate Magnetometer (by seconds, minutes and hour), EDA Flux Gate Magnetometer (every 30 seconds) total magnetic field data from the Proton Magnetometer (every 5 seconds), Electromagnetic wave absorption data from Relative opacity meter (every second) are collected with out any break.  Magnetic field disturbance were observed on 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 10^th,11^th,12^th , 13^th, and 14^th of May,2006 and 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, 16^th, 17^th,18^th, and 28^th  of June 2006.  Auroral activity observed on 3^rd, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th June, 2006. 

The Global Electric circuit (GEC) data from Maxwell current antenna (for atmospheric electric currents, with a 500 second atmospheric relaxation time), total electric field data from Field mill, and atmospheric electric potential (at 1 meter height) from Passive antenna was collected.11 days of fair weather days were observed, which is essential for GEC measurements. The collected GEC data was partly analyzed and forwarded to EGRL (Equatorial geophysical Research Lab-IIG) Tirunelveli, for further analysis. 

The newly installed GPS (for electron density studies) is working with out any problems and the data being down loaded at regular intervals. 

All the systems are working fine and the data collected are of very good quality.

Necessary help was extended to all participating institutions and to the logistic work.

(Scientist: K.V. Nair from IIG)

 C)       Meteorology:        

          Continuous monitoring of weather phenomena is being carried out as follows. 

1.        Synoptic observations covering the daily seasonal and annual variations of atmospheric pressure, surface wind, surface air temperature and cloud cover are taken every three hour and every sixth hour observations (00, 06, 12 &18z) are transmitted in real time basis. 

2.        Diffuse and Direct solar radiation is monitored continuously. Balloon borne radiometer sonde is         sent every fortnight after sunset to study  short and long wave radiations in the atmosphere. 

3.        Ozone sonde instrument is released every week to study the of Ozone – hole phenomena over Antarctica and also to obtain the vertical profile of ozone. 

4.         Atmospheric turbidity is measured with help of SUN PHOTO     meter at an interval of every 2 hrs.

( Scientist: P.A. Vasudevan from IMD) 

D)     Human Physiology: 

The second phase of psychological assessment, comprising of psychomotor dimensions, and measures of depression, interpersonal relationship and personality was completed.

The tests were administered individually to the wintering team members; data was processed and entered into computer.

The answer sheets for some of the psychological questionnaires for the next assessment were prepared.

(Scientist: F.U. JOHN PAUL, DIPAS)

E)     Glaciology  

Data downloading from data logger of  RRTS (Remote relay Transmission system) at Sankalp Point on Continental ice just 8 Kms distance from Maitri Station for use in Energy Balance model. The detail of data collected ( at an interval of one hour) is as under: 

1. Temperature Data such as Average, Maximum,Minimum,  Instance Temperature.  

2. Atmospheric Pressure.

3. Wind Speed.

4. Wind direction.

5. Relative Humidity.

6. Sun duration.

7. Radiation Data.

The data was retrieved from   Data logger of Sankalp Point RRTS on 03-06-2006, 07-06-2006, 7-06-2006, 28-06-2006

 Result of Analysis of some Metrological parameter for the period March, April and May. 

(Scientist: Manoj Kumar Walia, SASE)

F)        Communication:             

Defense Electronics and Application         Laboratory: The overall communication from Maitri base station to the outside world and in around Schimarcher Oasis was maintained regularly through IMARSAT terminals by phone, fax, email and telex. Sending and receiving of scientific information in the form of data or fax is done regularly.   Following are the activities which have been carried for the month of May and June, 2006.

i.                    Daily transmission of 6 hourly synoptic data of IMD to New Delhi through Inmarsat–C and sometimes through Inmarsat mini-M (Nera). 

ii.                  Regular transmission of scientific data of NGRI, IIG and SASE to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chandigarh respectively through Inmarsat-B.

iii.                HF weather fax broadcast from Weather Broadcast Station Pretoria (S.A.) has been received twice in a day regularly for Meteorological analysis by Met. Scientist.

iv.                 Downloading and uploading of emails on daily basis by Inmarsat-B. 

v.                   Regular VHF/HF communication with Novolarzaska station.

vi.                 Fixed schedule HF link communication with DEAL Dehradun.

vii.               Regular broadcast of AIR news in AM band using HF for updating the latest happenings for the benefit of the members.

viii.             MET warning and EGC mails are received on regular basis from Inmarsat-C.

ix.                 Maintenance of log book of phone, fax and telex time in respect of each Satellite terminal.

(Scientist: Narendra Singh G, DEAL).