Why in the News?

Indian oceanographers have captured the first-ever image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean.
- This discovery is part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with a total outlay of ₹4,000 crore.

What are Hydrothermal Vents?

Hydrothermal vents are typically found near tectonic plates, where cold water (about 2°C) near the ocean floor mixes with magma, leading to superheated water (up to 370°C) that emerges through chimneys.
These vents release mineral-rich plumes, including metals like copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, and nickel, making them significant for mineral exploration.

Hydrothermal vent deposits are rich in valuable minerals such as copper, zinc, gold, silver, and nickel, which are highly sought after for various industries.
These vents can remain active for periods ranging from a few hundred years to 30,000 years, making them long-lasting and crucial for mineral exploration.
Scientists at NCPOR, confirmed that the image showed an active vent chimney with black smokers, and signs of chemosynthetic organisms thriving in this extreme environment.
- This discovery enhances India’s Deep Ocean Mission, particularly the Samudrayaan mission, which focuses on mineral exploration from inactive hydrothermal vents.

Details	A scientific initiative by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) to explore hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean, focusing on the Central and Southwest Indian Ridges. Aimed at mineral exploration and studying ecosystems around hydrothermal vents.
Aims and Objectives	Locate and Study Hydrothermal Vents: Identify active vents with minerals like copper, zinc, gold, and nickel. Mineral Exploration: Part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission, aiming at valuable mineral exploration such as cobalt and platinum. Biodiversity Studies: Understand chemosynthetic organisms that thrive in extreme conditions of the vents.
Key Features of the Programme	Geophysical Surveys: Conducted since 2012 to detect temperature anomalies and turbidity in the water columns for locating vent fields. Use of Advanced Technology: Utilizes Automatic Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and high-resolution imaging. Collaborations: Partners with the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) for exploration in the Southern Indian Ocean.

DOM is an ambitious initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) approved in 2021 to develop technologies for deep-sea exploration.
Part of the 9 missions under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC).

Samudrayaan and Matsya6000:
- Launched in 2021 under DOM, Samudrayaan is India’s flagship crewed expedition to reach a depth of 6,000 m in the Central Indian Ocean.
- The mission will utilize Matsya6000, a deep-ocean submersible designed for a three-member crew.
  - Construction: Made from titanium alloy to endure pressures up to 6,000 bar.

1981: Ocean studies began with a program on polymetallic nodules (PMN) initiated at CSIR-NIO, marked by the collection of the first nodule sample from the Arabian Sea aboard the research vessel Gaveshani.
1987: India became the first country to receive Pioneer Investor status from the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
- Allocated 1.5 lakh km² in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) for nodule exploration, based on extensive surveys by CSIR-NIO.
2002: India signed a contract with the ISA; after resource analysis, surrendered 50% of the allotted area, retaining 75,000 km².
Further studies narrowed the mining area to 18,000 km², identified as the First Generation Mine-site.

[2021] Consider the following statements:

The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters
‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3