Scientists recently captured the first images of an active hydrothermal vent 4,500 metres below the Indian Ocean’s surface under India’s ambitious Rs 4,000-crore Deep Sea Mission.
The discovery, which highlights India’s growing prowess in oceanic exploration, is expected to bolster confidence and pave the way for further expeditions.
Thamban Meloth, Director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), described the breakthrough as the beginning of a transformative journey.
“Seeing is believing,” he remarked. “We had previously identified proof of both active and inactive hydrothermal vents along the Central and Southwest Indian Ridges. This time, we aimed to secure visual evidence, which we successfully achieved,” Meloth said.
The discovery was made by scientists from the NCPOR and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) during a month-long expedition.
Hydrothermal vents, often referred to as hot springs of the ocean, form where tectonic plates diverge. These vents are vital for two primary reasons: they produce valuable minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese essential for clean energy technologies, and they harbour unique ecosystems that thrive on chemosynthesis.
Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the NIOT, highlighted the complexities of the mission, noting that the team conducted four expeditions over two years to locate the vent.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) played a crucial role in navigating the rugged terrain, capturing high-resolution images, and gathering critical data.
The captured images provide new insights into India’s oceanic landscape, which includes underwater mountain ranges as rugged as the Himalayas. Meloth noted, “Exploring these depths, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 metres, is akin to searching for a needle in hundreds of haystacks.”
Hydrothermal vents not only hold the promise of rare minerals but also serve as cradles of life forms that do not rely on sunlight. Instead, these organisms utilise chemosynthesis, converting inorganic compounds into energy.
“The animals living around hydrothermal vents make their living from the chemicals emerging from the seafloor,” Meloth explained.
Ramakrishnan said the data collected, including videos, samples, and photographs, is yet to be fully analysed.
“This is a stepping stone for future studies. Sustained support is essential for expanding our exploration efforts,” he added.
India’s Deep Sea Mission aims to explore uncharted ocean depths to uncover minerals, understand the role of oceans in climate change, and advance technological expertise.
Meloth revealed that a new vessel for underwater surveys is under construction and expected to be operational within three years.
However, deep-sea exploration is fraught with challenges. Meloth described adverse weather in the Southern Ocean as a significant obstacle, often limiting operations to just a few days during month-long expeditions.
Additionally, the small size and scattered nature of hydrothermal vents make them difficult to locate, requiring advanced instruments and, as Meloth noted, “a mix of experience and luck.”
The mission also opens avenues to study extreme life forms, which could provide insights into the origins of life. Meloth referenced Russian biochemist Aleksandr Oparin’s 1922 theory of life’s chemosynthetic origins, which posits that life may have begun in water through a series of chemical reactions.
This discovery, a landmark moment in India’s ocean exploration journey, exemplifies the potential of the blue economy and underscores the need for continued investment and innovation in marine sciences.
Follow us
