ANNUAL REPORT 1985-86 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) DONA PAULA - 403 004 GOA, INDIA ANNUAL REPORT 1985-86 21 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) DONA PAULA-403 004 GOA, INDIA Printed and Published by Director, National Institute of Oceanography Compiled and edited by Information & Publication Division Editorial Personnel Shri R. M. S. Bhargava Shri S. J. D. Vara Prasad Mrs. R. Thomas Miss Fatima Lopes Front cover page : Soft Corals of Kavaratti Printed at Pad Prints, 26/401, Lokmanya Nagar, Pune - 411 030 CONTENTS Page No. 1. Director's Report 1 2. List of Projects 8 3. Research Activities 9 3.1 Physical Oceanography 9 3.2 Chemical Oceanography 19 3.3 Geological Oceanography 31 3.4 Biological Oceanography 37 3.5 Biofouling and Corrosion Studies 43 3.6 Ocean Engineering 48 3.7 Marine Instrumentation, Computer & Data 49 3.8 Publication, Information and Public Relations 53 3.9 Training 55 3.10 Planning 59 4. Regional Centres 60 4.1 Bombay 60 4.2 Cochin 64 4.3 Waltair 76 5. Oceanographic Cruises 81 6. Antarctic Research 89 7. Sponsored Projects 92 8. International Programmes 100 9. Infrastructure 102 10. Visitors 104 11. Colloquia at NIO 108 12. Awards, Honours & Membership of Various Committees 110 13. Deputations 114 14. Participation in Seminars, Symposia and Meetings 117 15. Publications 125 Annex-I : Budget 134 Annex-ll : Composition of Various Committees of NIO 135 Annex-Ill : Appointments/Transfers/Promotions/Resignations 143 Annex-IV : Scientific, Technical and Administrative Staff 145 1 2 3 4 1 DIRECTOR'S REPORT It is my privilege after taking over as Director of this Institute on 1 July, 1985, to present this 21st Annual Report for the fiscal year 1985-86. Dr. V.V.R. Varadachari retired on attaining superannuation on June 31, 1985. He was given a warm send off after 22 years of dedic- ated service at a felicitation function on the same day and a special issue of Mahasagar - the research journal of the Institute, was brou- ght out on the occasion. The report presents the summary of the work carried out under various R & D and Sponsored Projects in various Divisions and Regio- nal Centres of the Institute. Some organisational changes were made in the Institute wherein Chemical and Pollution Divisions were merged as Chemical Oceanogra- phy Division, the Data Centre was merged with the Instrumentation and Computer Division and the Planning Group was attached with the Director's Office. The projects for the next year were redefined and modified. This year 14 oceanographic cruises of R. V. Gaveshani and 10 of O. R. V. Sagar Kanya were organised. In addition, another vessel, G. A. Reay was chartered for the exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Indian Ocean. Some of the important results from the R & D activities are described hereunder : The Physical Oceanography Group identified the regions of divergence and convergence in the Bay of Bengal. On the west coast of India tides are well reproduced except at the Gulf of Kutch and Cambay. The polarisation characteristics of diffuse reflected light and their angular distribution were found useful for remote sensing of sea state. A new method using 'NO' - Θ- relationship was developed and applied for estimation of nitrate deficits in Arabian Sea. In a project in collaboration with the United States, a group of seven scientists were trained in scientific diving in India and USA. The group dived 5 off Grande Island off west coast and Kavaratti, Agatti and Suheli in Lakshadweep to collect organisms for studies of bioactive properties. Extracts of 95 marine organisms have been prepared to assess their bioactive properties. The occurrence of an aberrant isopod from deep waters of Indian Ocean which was not reported so far from any world oceans, was reported. Studies indicated the possibility of intensive production of edible clam Gafrarium pectinatum. Technology of green mussel culture has been demonstrated to the fish farmers of Goa for its use on a commercial scale. The sediments of the outer shelf/slope between Bombay and Quilon contain 0.02 to 2.16% P2 O5 and appear to be promising for detailed exploration for phosphorities. In the offshore sediments from south of Ratnagiri, heavy mineral concentrations upto 77.5% with magnetite (35%) and ilmenite (13.7%) have been found. An area of 0.65 million sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean has been surveyed in detail for polymetallic nodules. The Ocean Engineering Group collected time series data on waves off Kavaratti Island deploying two wave rider buoys. An Aanderra weather station was installed at Kavaratti for simultaneous collection of meteorological parameters. A geological data logger has been redesigned for logging data from satellite navigator, magnetometer and echosounder. A multi- channel ship-borne digitizer was also designed to digitize wave data. The Institute continued to participate in the scientific expeditions to Antarctica. Three scientists participated in the Fifth Expedition, out of which one stayed for overwintering and was designated as Leader of the Wintering Team. As a part of training programme, the Training Division conducted several specialised training courses for the Institute's scientists. The Institute also supported the academic programmes of the Universities of Goa and Jabalpur and the Birla Institute of Science & Technology and their students partly worked at the Institute. In addition to the above R & D, the Institute continued the sponsored work and provided consultancies. This year 17 new sponsored projects for a total contract value of over rupees 10 million ware undertaken while earlier nineteen projects were continued. Five pro- jects were completed. The Institute received a total of Rs. 26.28 million from outside agencies for grant-in-aid and sponsored projects. The scientific activities were well supported by Infrastructure (photography, drawing, workshop, printing & binding) and administrative facilities. The Library continued to grow and 1120 books were added. A TRS-80 microprocessor was installed to develop the bibliographic data base. Several sophisticated instruments i.e. an infra red spectro- meter, gas chromotograph, a side scan sonar and a diving gear were added to the existing ones which enhanced the accuracy in results and capabilities. The Administrative and Accounts personnel, continued to 6 provide valuable support to the increased activities of the Institute. The Institute had the rare honour of the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince Herald and Princess Sonjia of Norway. The Institute is equally proud of the visits of Dr. L.K. Jha, Adviser to Prime Minister and Dr. A.P. Mitra the Director General SIR and Secretary to the Government of India. During the year, the following important workshops and seminars were organised : (i) Indo-USSR Workshop on Oceanography to identify the projects for collaboration between the two countries : (ii) Indo-US Workshop to review the progress of the collaborative project on bioactive substances from the Indian Ocean and to discuss the future activities; (iii) Workshop on marine biodeterioration of material; (iv) A Rigional Seminar on Handling and Dissemination of Oceano- graphic Data and Information. A new Guest House with nine air-conditioned rooms to acco- mmodate 18 guests was inaugurated on April 23, 1986 by Mrs. S. Z. Qasim. This year construction was also taken up for the new building for storage of seabed data and samples. The construction of 112 scientists appartments is progressing well. The Staff Club was active and arranged trekking, outings and social functions. The outstanding children in studies and sports were awarded special prizes. Dr. H. N. Siddiquie Director. 7 2 LIST OF PROJECTS 1. Coastal zone management. 2. Studies on seasonal, annual and inter - annual variability of Oceanographic Parameters in the Northern Indian Ocean. 3. Remote sensing of oceanic features/parameters. 4. Ocean modelling. 5. Chemical Oceanographic and marine environmental studies of the seas around India. 6. Bioactive substances from the seas around India. 7. Regional geological, geophysical, geochemical, paleoclimatic and foraminiferal studies of the sediments of continental margins of India. 8. Regional Geological and manganese nodule deposits in the Central Indian basin of the Indian ocean. 9. Assessment, evaluation and generation of biological resources of the seas around India. 10. Studies on marine fouling, wood preservation and corrosion along the Indian Coast. 11. Evaluation of environmental parameters for the development of offshore oil fields and coastal works. 12. Development of Marine Instrumentation Systems including data buoys. 13. Coastal studies off Waltair and adjacent areas. 8 3 RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 3.1 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY 3.1.1 Coastal Zone Management (C.S. Murthy) 3.1.2 Studies on seasonal, annual and inter-annual variability of the oceanographic parameters in the North Indian Ocean (J. S. Sastry) 3.1.3 Remote sensing of oceanic features/parameters (L. V. G. Rao) 3.1.4 Ocean Modelling (M.J. Varkey) A. R & D PROJECTS 3.1.1 Coastal Zone Management : (C. S. Murthy) The following studies were carried out : (a) Studies on coastal boundary layer : The data on current measurements off the mouths of Hooghly, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna have been analysed. The studies revealed that when the flow off Mahanadi is towards north and northwest, the flow off Godavari and Krishna is directed south and southwest. The water off Mahanadi is warmer than the water off Krishna and Godavari by about 2°C. The presence of a clockwise eddy off Mahanadi and an anticlockwise eddy off Godavari and Krishna is inferred. An analysis of time series data on currents off Goa at 100 m depth indicated the total influence on the currents. High frequency oscillations are noticed. Wind influence is also seen on the current structure. Team : M. K. Antony, K. H.