IndARC: India's First Underwater Observatory - Testbook

Establishment and Positioning of the IndARC Observatory

The IndARC Observatory, an Indian marvel, was conceptualized and developed by a team of scientists from prestigious organizations such as the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) .

These organization names are crucial for the UPSC Prelims and should be thoroughly understood.

Upon completion of its development, IndARC was positioned in the Arctic by the RV Lance, a research vessel of the Norwegian Polar Institute, on 23rd July 2014. The RV Lance is also responsible for collecting the data recorded by IndARC over the year and redeploying the sensors once the data has been gathered.

The observatory is located at a depth of 192 meters, with its ten advanced sensors strategically placed to collect the most precise data possible.

Objectives of the IndARC Observatory

The IndARC observatory was established in the severe Arctic conditions to collect data throughout the year. This data aids scientists in understanding the Arctic's climatic conditions and processes, as well as their impact on the Indian monsoon system . The relationship between the Arctic ice shelf and the deep sea, and their influence on Indian climate changes, requires an exhaustive study over an annual seasonal cycle. This study is facilitated by the precise data gathered by IndARC.

Given the extreme climatic conditions in the Arctic, it is challenging for scientists to collect data remotely throughout the year. Thus, the IndARC observatory makes this task more manageable by collecting data remotely.

Sensors Installed in the IndARC Observatory

The IndARC station is equipped with a set of highly sophisticated sensors to collect accurate data. These sensors include:

1. Conductivity temperature depth (CTD) sensors
2. Fluorometer
3. Dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors
4. Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) sensors
5. Single-point current meter

Questions related to these sensors often appear in the IndARC UPSC chapter. Therefore, they must be thoroughly studied, as they are likely to be asked in the UPSC Exam .

Challenges Encountered by IndARC

Despite the strategic placement of IndARC for optimal results, it faces a few challenges.

1. The Kongsfjorden fjord region has limited satellite coverage and is often engulfed in heavy clouds, which restricts frequent usage of IndARC.
2. While IndARC is designed to collect data annually, its design hampers long-term data collection and data collection during the ice-covered winter season.

A thorough understanding of IndARC is essential for IAS preparation . Ignoring this topic is not advisable. A sound knowledge of this topic can fetch good marks.