Three researchers from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) have returned from a three-month scientific journey to Antarctica, where they conducted research as part of India's 45th polar mission. The expedition was organized under the aegis of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Research Contributions
Dr. Aditya Udayraj Joshi, an assistant professor at MIT and principal investigator of his project, focused on studying rock formations in the Larsemann Hills region of East Antarctica. By collecting and analyzing these samples, he aims to uncover clues about the ancient connection between India and Antarctica, which were once part of the same supercontinent. "Similar rock formations are found in India's Eastern Ghats and East Antarctica. By studying them, we can determine the exact point and time when the two landmasses split and understand the movement of tectonic plates," Dr. Joshi explained. Advanced techniques such as paleomagnetism, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, and radiometric dating will be employed once the samples arrive in India. PhD scholar Ayushi Udgata will also work on these samples.
Environmental Monitoring
Dr. TMA Pai research scholars Santhosh Prabhu and Runkob Srimani focused on environmental monitoring. They collected lake water samples around Maitri and seawater, lake water, wastewater, and sea ice samples from areas surrounding the Bharati research station. Bharati and Maitri are India's two active, permanent scientific research stations in Antarctica, managed by NCPOR. Their work aims to detect emerging contaminants such as pharmaceutical residues, antibiotics, and persistent chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Antarctic ecosystems. "We want to understand how far human-induced pollutants have reached even in such a pristine environment," Srimani said.
Logistical Challenges
The team traveled from Goa to Cape Town, then boarded a specialized aircraft capable of landing on ice for an eight-hour flight to Antarctica. Dr. Joshi was stationed at Bharati research station for over three months, undertaking daily field expeditions, often trekking several kilometers in harsh winds and subzero temperatures to collect rock samples. Due to logistical challenges and limitations of carrying heavy instruments, initial processing was done on-site, while detailed analysis will be conducted in India once the samples arrive by ship. Srimani noted, "The facilities at the research station made our stay comfortable. Collection of samples from around Bharati station was done for an extended period, during the frozen sea condition and later after it melted. Prabhu used to walk on the frozen sea and collect the samples; when it melted, he had to do this via helicopter, which arrived by the ship." Dr. Balakrishna, dean of the School of Civil and Chemical Engineering at MIT, is guiding the research scholars.
