BAY OF BENGAL TO BE THE CENTRE FOR OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

By next year, the International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) would be launched and Bay of Bengal is going to be the main focus of oceanographic research. Now that Bay of Bengal is constantly accessed by various rivers and canals, the sea is more prone to anthropogenic activities that include emission of industrial effluents and pollutants like fertilizers. Due to this, the sea has become a hazardous zone which absorbs carbon dioxide or CO2 sink.

The Director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) SWA Naqvi, who has 42 years of experience in Oceanographic research said that The Bay of Bengal area is vulnerable and global warming, ocean surface warming, ocean acidification and de-oxygenation are main issues with the area. With oxygen going down the waters only in traces, there are chances of the waters becoming anaerobic where a whole new ecology may emerge.

Naqvi visited Vizag to attend a felicitation function that was arranged for him at the Andhra University Platinum Jubilee Guest House. The ace scientist is officially retiring this month end after 42 years of service and was felicitated by NIO and by professors of Andhra University.