NIOT, Chennai to explore sea bed for metals
Posted on: 30/Jun/2015 9:46:40 AM - No. of views : (1269)
India has been granted 10,000 sq. kms. of area in the Rodriguez Triple Junction (RTJ), an area in the Southern Indian Ocean and Mauritius. Chennai�s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and Goa�s National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) will explore the sea bed for polymetallic sulphide, a mineral that has 3 or more metals that can be used for commercial gain. This mineral normally contains copper, iron and lead, and may contain gold and silver in lesser quantities.
The first level of exploration has already taken place, and a large amount of information and data are currently being analysed. The second level will start soon.
In addition to the polymetallic sulphide, scientists will also get a chance to study the chemosynthetic bacteria, which is said to form the base of the food chain.
