PACER Initiative- Polar Science and Cryosphere scheme

Context:

Recently, the Polar Science and Cryosphere (PACER) scheme has been approved for continuation by the Union Cabinet from 2021 to 2026.

About PACER Initiative

• The Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) scheme comprises the Antarctic program, Indian Arctic program, Southern Ocean program and Cryosphere and Climate program.
• Implementation: Itis implemented through National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Objective: To ​​study various aspects relating to Polar and the Cryosphere with special emphasis on the Antarctic, Arctic and Glaciers of the Himalayas.
• Duration of the Initiative: The initiative has been approved for continuation during 2021- 2026.
• It is one of the five major programs of MoES, other four are:

1. Atmosphere and Climate Research – Modelling, Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS).
2. Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources, Modelling and Science (OSTORMS).
3. Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE).
4. Research, Education, Outreach and Training (REACHOUT).
5. PACER encompasses the following six components.
   • Construction of polar research vessel
   • Construction of the third research base in Antarctica
   • Indian scientific endeavours in the Arctic
   • Polar expeditions-Antarctica
   • Southern Ocean Expedition

What are the Major Works under this Scheme?

• Understanding of Biogeochemical Processes: Field-based studies were conducted in the lakes of Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica for the understanding of biogeochemical processes in supraglacial environments.
• IndARC System: The IndARC mooring system along with the Hydrophone system was successfully retrieved and deployed in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard.
• Research Studies in Himalayas: Glaciological field campaigns were carried out in six benchmark glaciers in Chandra basin of Lahaul-Spiti region of Western Himalaya.
  • Winter snow accumulation over the glaciers was recorded using snow pits and snow corners.
• Automatic Weather Station (AWS) Systems: Two new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) systems were installed at Baralacha La, a high elevation site in the arid Spiti region to strengthen infrastructure across the Chandra basin.
• Southern Ocean Expedition :The 11^th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition was executed successfully

Major achievements of the PACER scheme

• Expedition to Antarctica: Executed 39th& 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. The 41st Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica is ongoing.
• Ice-sheet dynamics: Ten sediment cores were collected from lakes to reconstruct the past climate associated with the ice-sheet dynamics.
• Various glaciological and geophysical measurements were carried out in coastal Dronning Maud Land (cDML) to understand the modern snow accumulation patterns around the ice rises and the remote contribution to the glacial chemical processes.
• Field-based studies were conducted in the lakes of Larsemann hills, East Antarctica for understanding of biogeochemical processes in supraglacial environments.
• Clear-air atmospheric observatories containing automatic weather stations, a suite of sensors to measure aerosol and greenhouse gas concentrations have been established at Maitri and Bharati stations.
• Analysis of ice cores were carried out to understand dissolved organic carbon pathways and long-term climate variability over Antarctica.
• The IndARC mooring system along with the Hydrophone system was successfully retrieved and deployed in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard.
  • Coastal cruises were undertaken in the Arctic Svalbard archipelago to carry out biogeochemical and microbial research in the glacio-marine system.
• Glaciological field campaigns were carried out in six benchmark glaciers in Chandra basin of Lahaul-Spiti region of Western Himalaya. Winter snow accumulation over the glaciers was recorded using snow pits and snow corners.
  • Two new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) systems were installed at Baralacha La, a high elevation site in the arid Spiti region to strengthen infrastructure across the Chandra basin.
• Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted.
• The 11th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition was executed successfully: Various atmospheric, geological, oceanographic and biological measurements were conducted in the Prydz Bay as well as across various fronts of the Southern Ocean.

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR):

• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is India’s premier R&D institution responsible for the country’s research activities in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms.
• NCPOR is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• The mandate of NCPOR is multi-dimensional:
• Leadership role in niche areas of scientific research in the domain of polar and ocean sciences.
• Lead role in the geoscientific surveys of the country’s EEZ and its extended continental shelf beyond 200m, deep-sea drilling in the Arabian Sea basin through the IODP, exploration for ocean non-living resources such as the gas hydrates and multi-metal sulphides in mid-ocean ridges.
• Facilitatory role in the scientific research activities being undertaken by several national institutions and organizations in Antarctica, the Arctic and in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean.
• Management role in implementing all scientific and logistics activities related to the Annual Indian Expeditions to the Antarctic, Arctic and Southern Ocean.
• Management and upkeep of the Indian Antarctic Research Bases “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Indian Arctic base “Himadri”.
• Management of the Ministry’s research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya as well as the other research vessels chartered by the Ministry.

Other Major Initiatives of the Ministry of Earth Sciences

• IndARC
• Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-SMART)
• ACROSS Scheme

What are India’s Antarctic Missions?

• India officially acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System on 1^st August 1983.
• On 12^th September 1983, India became the fifteenth Consultative Member of the Antarctic Treaty.
• India is expanding its infrastructure development in Antarctica.
• The newest base commissioned in 2015 is Bharati.
• India is rebuilding its station, Maitri, to make it bigger and last for at least 30 more years.
• Dakshin Gangotri, the first Indian base established in 1984, has weakened and become just a supply base.
• Sagar Nidhi: In 2008, India commissioned the Sagar Nidhi, for research.
  • It is an ice-class vessel, it can cut through the thin ice of 40 cm depth and is the first Indian vessel to navigate Antarctic waters.

Source: PIB

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