The Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) scheme is an important program under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, implemented through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an autonomous institute. The PACER scheme comprises four important programs – the Antarctic program, Indian Arctic program, Southern Ocean program and Cryosphere and Climate program. The aim of PACER is to understand and study the polar regions and their role in the global climate system.
In the recent three years, PACER has made significant achievements in its research expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic. The 39th and 40th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica were successfully executed, and the 41st expedition is ongoing. During these expeditions, important measurements and studies were carried out in areas such as glaciology, marine science, polar biology, and atmospheric science.
Ten sediment cores were collected from lakes to understand past climate patterns, and various glaciological and geophysical measurements were taken in the coastal Dronning Maud Land. Clear-air atmospheric observatories have been established at Maitri and Bharati stations, and ice cores were analyzed to understand dissolved organic carbon pathways and long-term climate variability over Antarctica.
Similarly, the Arctic expeditions have also made important contributions to the field of polar research. The 23 research projects carried out during the 2019-20 Arctic Expedition were successful and provided new insights into glaciology, marine science, polar biology, and atmospheric science. The IndARC mooring system was successfully retrieved and deployed in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, and coastal cruises were undertaken to carry out biogeochemical and microbial research. The program has also started various modeling initiatives using the Arctic Regional Ocean Model, the Arctic Regional Atmospheric Model with Chemistry module, and Global sea-ice simulations.
In the Western Himalaya, PACER has conducted important glaciological field campaigns in the Chandra basin of Lahaul-Spiti region. Winter snow accumulation was recorded using snow pits and snow corers, and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys were conducted. Samples were collected from various glaciers and lakes, and two new Automatic Weather Station (AWS) systems were installed to strengthen the infrastructure in the region.
The 11th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition was also executed successfully and important atmospheric, geological, oceanographic, and biological measurements were taken in the Prydz Bay and various fronts of the Southern Ocean. Sediment cores were collected from 13 locations, and Argo floats were deployed to measure different ocean parameters.
MCQs on Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
- What is the cryosphere?
A. The part of the Earth’s surface that is covered in ice and snow
B. The part of the Earth’s atmosphere that is coldest
C. The part of the Earth’s ocean that is coldest
D. The part of the Earth’s interior that is solid and cold
- What is the primary focus of polar science research?
A. The study of the Earth’s poles and their surrounding environments
B. The study of the Sun and its effects on the Earth
C. The study of the Earth’s magnetic field
D. The study of the Earth’s geological history
- Why is the study of the cryosphere important?
A. Because it affects global sea levels and ocean currents
B. Because it affects weather patterns and climate change
C. Because it affects the distribution of wildlife and plant species
D. All of the above
