The Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

Introduction

 

Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India are the hot-spots of biodiversity with their unique Coral Reef bio-reserve. In recent decades, they have been under constant threat due to global warming and sea level rise. Coral reef biodiversity at Andaman region, roughly around 11,000 sq.km., was seriously affected during the 2004 Tsunami event and also are undergoing the stress from the increasing sea surface temperature.

 

Currently, there is no mechanism other than Scuba diving to examine the corals and assess the extent of damage or rejuvenation that might be taking place since the great damages happened earlier. Deep water electric work class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) ROSUB6000 (capable of operating up to 6000m water depth and 500m depth rated for shallow water applications) The ROV can effectively map 4-6 sq.km. of coral reefs in a day, whereas the same job takes about a week for a Scuba diver. The images of corals recorded by the ROV are useful to study the biodiversity of coral reefs and their evolution. The water temperature ranged between 31oC at surface and 30.5oC at 1 m water depth. It further decreases in deeper waters as recorded by the ROV based sensor. The radiometer attached on the ROV provided the spectral signatures of different types of corals in Andaman. The ROV's can be used not only for research and scientific exploration purposes but also for several engineering applications.

 

For further information please contact

 

National Research Development Corporation
20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre
Kailash Colony Extn. New Delhi - 110048
EPABX NO. +91-11-29240401 to +91-11-29240407

Mobile: 9810104163
E-mail : write2@nrdc.in ; bksahu@nrdc.in