New Projects

COMFORT - Our common future ocean in the Earth system – quantifying coupled cycles of carbon, oxygen, and nutrients for determining and achieving safe operating spaces with respect to tipping points

Horizon 2020 programme of the European Commission. Call: H2020-LC-CLA-2018-2019-2020 (Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: climate action in support of the Paris Agreement)

Sponsoring Agency - Ministry of Earth Sciences

Project leader from NERCI - Dr. Nandini Menon, N.

Year in which started - 2019

Duration in months - 48

Pathways Of Dispersal for Cholera And Solution Tools (PODCAST)

Scope of the Project-The northern Indian Ocean is known to be the cradle of the seventh global cholera pandemic, started in 1961 and still active today (more than one million cases in the recent outbreak in Yemen). The responsible pathogen, Vibrio cholerae, has planktonic and detrital hosts and can survive transportation by sea currents. It can evolve locally, and the new genotypes disperse through advection to cause epidemics in areas where cholera is non-endemic. Poleward progression of cholera under climate change is a cause for concern. New epidemics originate primarily in coastal regions. Typically, Vibrio is present year-round in affected areas, but is not always virulent. The ultimate goal of the research is to develop the ability to map areas of high risk for infection by cholera and to forecast high-risk areas of outbreaks, to enable preventative measures to be implemented and so reduce risk.

Sponsoring Agency - Dept.of Biotechnology

Project leader from NERCI - Dr. Nandini Menon, N.

Year in which started - 2019

Duration in months - 24

ONGOING PROJECTS

Monitoring and forecasting of coastal circulation using GPS/GSM technology and hydrodynamic modeling

Scope of the Project- Derive new insights on the eddy induced near shore circulation using GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)/ GPS(Global Positioning System) based drifters. Advance our understanding regarding the seasonal, inter-annual and decadal variabilities in the coastal circulation using the state-of-the-art remote sensing methods.

Sponsoring Agency- DST-SERB women scientist

Project leader- Ms.Jaini Sara Babu

Year in which started - 2018

Duration in months- 36

REhabilitation of Vibrio Infested waters of VembanAd Lake: pollution and solution (REVIVAL) (2018-2021)

Scope of the Project- Identify the reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae and pathogenic viruses in the Vembanad Lake. And to Assess the seasonal and spatial variation in the hosts/reservoirs of pathogenic Vibrios employing remote sensing and in-situ methods.

Sponsoring agency- DST

Project leader- Dr. Nandini Menon, N.

Year in which started - 2018

Duration in months- 36

Remarks: Collaborating agencies- NERCI-CMFRI, Coordinating institute- NIO

A comparative assessment on the role of spatio-temporal variability of blue carbon dynamics in a seagrass driven and seagrass-coral reef connected ecosystem in mitigating climate change

Scope of the Project- This study would bring out a better understanding of the blue carbon budget to determine regional vulnerability and also the need for the protection of these two pristine ecosystems.

Sponsoring agency- Science and Engineering Research Board, India

Project leader- Dr. Ranith R

Year in which started - 2021

Duration in months- 24

Completed projects

Arctic cooperation between Norway, Russia, India, China and US in satellite Earth observation and Education (ARCONOR) - research and higher education related to sea ice, environment, climate change, and operational conditions in the Arctic Ocean focusing on the Northern Sea Route

Scope of the project- To sustain long term international partnership and cooperation between Norway, Russia, India, China and US through advancing research, higher education and recruitment within satellite Earth Observations for monitoring and forecasting of the Arctic and support to Arctic shipping.

Collaborating institutions from India/international- Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Bergen, Nansen Scientific Society, Bergen, Nansen International Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre, Russia, Nansen-Zhu International Research Centre, China, University of Connecticut,USA.

Sponsoring Agency- Norwegian Research Council

Project leader- Dr.K.Ajith Joseph

Year in which started - 2017

Bamboo as a resource for community development and climate change mitigation involving community bamboo plantation to mitigate climate change and skill development training ( June 2018- March 2019)

Objective: Utilisation of satellite imageries to study the Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI) of the plantations before and after the implementation of this project to estimate the increase in the plantation area and carbon sequestration capacity of the area.

Sponsoring Agency- Australian consulate, Chennai

Project leader- Dr.Bindu G.

Year in which started - 2018

Duration in months- 12

Synergistic applications of earth observation data-microwave SAR, IR and Visual data for the validation of Ocean State forecast for north Kerala (2018-2020)

Scope of the Project- The main objective of this proposal is to utilise the directional wave rider buoy data from wave rider buoy (WRB's) along the Kerala coast, particularly off Kozhikode for collection of site specific real time wave data for the validation of the daily Ocean State Forecast (OSF) for INCOIS.

Sponsoring Agency- ESSO-INCOIS (Ministry of Earth Sciences)

Project leader- Dr.K. Ajith Joseph

Year in which started - 2018

Duration in months- 24

Modeling bio-geochemical Cycles in Coastal Oceans (2014 - 2018) Funded by SAC-ISRO.

NERCI has the following ongoing external funded projects from agencies like Department of Science and Technology, Space Application Centre (SAC)– Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Partnership for Observation of Global Oceans (POGO). Ph.D. programme by Nansen Scientific Society is continuing at NERCI.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Mohamed Hatha, CUSAT
Co-PI: Dr. Nandini Menon N, NERCI
Co-ordinator: Dr. Mini Raman, SAC

Aim of this project is to study the carbon pools (organic carbon components), fluxes (the rates of primary, new and export production) and organic nitrogen components involved in the biogeochemistry of coastal oceans around Indian subcontinent using satellite data.

Estimating carbon sequestration potential of mangroves in Kunhimangalam area using remote sensing and Geographic Information System supported by field observations (2016) Funded by APOLLO Foundation under CSR initiative.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Bindu. G
Co-investigator :Dr. K. Ajith Joseph

As a basis for mangrove monitoring and management in the study area and to serve as baseline data for future studies, a map depicting the mangrove vegetation cover pattern over the area is to be prepared. Mangrove species of maximum carbon sequestration potential, areas where most destruction have occurred and tolerant species fit for replantation is to be identified.

Impact of the developing hypoxia on primary productivity in the Eastern Arabian Sea - Implications on fishery (2017-2018) Dept.of Science and Technology

Scope of the project- To develop a primary productivity model for the Eastern Arabian Sea

Project leader- Dr. Smitha, A.

Year in which started - 2017

Duration in months- 24

Impact of Atmospheric Aerosols on the Large Scale Circulation over the Indian Summer Monsoon Region Funded by DST

Principal Investigator: Dr. Abish B.

The Indian summer monsoon is a major component of the global climate system that provides fresh water to a millions of people in the Indian subcontinent. The region is also known to be affected from the excessive concentration of atmospheric aerosols from dust, biomass burning and industrial pollution. The suppression of surface heating by aerosols weakens the land sea thermal contrast that is essential for the strength of the monsoon circulation. By conducting different experiments, this study is expected to advance our knowledge on the interaction of aerosols on the large scale atmospheric circulation over the Indian summer monsoon region.

HABAQUA - Harmful Algal Blooms in Aquaculture ecosystems: a modeling and remote sensing perspective (2016-2017) Funded by NF-POGO Alumni Network for Oceans (NANO)

Project Leader: Dr. Ravidas Naik, NIO, Goa
Co-leader: Dr. Nandini Menon N (NERCI)

Aim of the project is to monitor coastal waters of India and Sri Lanka for HABs in relation to mariculture activities. Along with in situ sampling, Remote Sensing and mathematical modelling approaches will also be used to aid further understanding of HAB dynamics in the aquaculture areas. Efforts would also be made to validate the Ocean Colour data generated for the coastal waters and develop regional bio-optical algorithm for the case 2 waters in the SW and SE coast of India.

Atmospheric carbon sequestration potential of trees in Kochi City under the changing environmental scenario (2016 - 2019) Funded by DST

Principal Investigator: Dr. Bindu. G
Co-investigator: Dr. K. Ajith Joseph

The idea of the project is to estimate the sequestration potential of the city with the existing vegetation pattern, Projecting the carbon balance for business as usual scenario and potential scenario and suggest measures to be taken for a sustainable city. Under the present scenario it will be an important step to address environmental issues related to the developmental activities including metro rail work.

Atmospheric carbon sequestration potential of trees in Kochi City under the changing environmental scenario

Nansen Environmental Research Centre, India (NERCI) to study the Atmospheric carbon sequestration capacity of trees in Kochi city Department of science and Technology (DST) has awarded NERCI, an accredited scientific and Industrial research organization of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies to study ‘Atmospheric carbon sequestration potential of trees in Kochi City under the changing environmental scenario’. The idea of the project is to estimate the sequestration potential of the city with the existing vegetation pattern, Projecting the carbon balance for business as usual scenario and potential scenario and suggest measures to be taken for a sustainable city. Under the present scenario it will be an important step to address environmental issues related to the developmental activities including metro rail work. This research project would be coordinated by NERCI scientists, Dr.Bindu G and Dr. K. Ajith Joseph and would help in developing strategies for the sustainable management of urbanization and associated land use changes by generating baseline data with respect to carbon sequestration potential of the city. This will be a contribution, in a regional scale, for the programs to alleviate global warming and aligns the city’s sustainable development objectives with the cost-effective mitigation measures, and also delivers co-benefits, such as improved local air quality, and reduces health risks.  A green area can be identified as an outcome of the study and can be continuously monitored by establishing permanent field observation plots as per the guidelines of National carbon Project (NCP: ISRO Geosphere Biosphere Program). Suitable species with maximum carbon sequestration capacity can be selected for this. The results of the study will be an additional authentic input to National carbon Budgeting process of NCP.

Study of Harmful Algal Blooms and other Aspects of Sardine Habitats around the Indian sub-continent (SHABASHI)

(March 2015 to March 2016)

The Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans (POGO)with the NF-POGO Alumni Network for Oceans (NANO) is supporting the SHABASHI through its regional project for Indian Sub-Continent. PI - Ravidas Naik Participants (INDIA): Nandini Menon-NERCI, Shaju. S.S.-NERCI, Grinson George-CMFRI, Rajdeep Roy-NRSC, Gunjan Motwani-SAC, Mini Raman-SAC , Sanjiba Baliarsingh-INCOIS Participants (SRI LANKA): Kanthi Yapa, H.B. Jayasiri, H. B. Asanthi

Indo-European research facilities for studies on Marine ecosystem and climate in India (INDO-MARECLIM)-A scientific project from European Commission, Brussels.

(February 2012 – January 2015)

Project Coordinator - NERCI (India) Project Partners - NERSC (Norway), PML (United Kingdom), CMCC (Italy), IFREMER (France), Alterra (The Netherlands) This project aims to develop, strengthen and sustain Indo-European scientific research co-operation and the NERCI research facilities in the areas of climate studies of the Asian summer monsoon, the marine ecosystem and coastal zone management studies, with focus on the role of the Indian Ocean, including the consequences on the society in India.

Decadal to multi-decadal variability in the Indian Monsoon Rainfall (IMR) and teleconnection with Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) [Researcher project-NORKLIMA] (INDIA-CLIM).

(January 2012 – December 2014) by Nansen Envrionmental Research and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC), Norway.

Partners – CUSAT, NERCI, Anna University.

The objective of this project is to significantly contribute to the basic understanding of decadal to multi-decadal variations in the Indian climate during the last 600 years and to explore the teleconnection between the AMO and the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM), and by that adding to the knowledge basis needed for improving Indian Monsoon Rainfall prediction which has strong impact on the hydrological cycle in India. Participating institutes- Dept. Of Physical Oceanography, CUSAT, SAC (ISRO). The main objective is to study the mesoscale features of the South East Arabian Sea using OCM and Altimeter data.

Application of Altimetry (AltiKa) and Ocean Color (Oceansat II) in the studies of meso-scale features of the South-eastern Arabian Sea

Principal Investigator- Prof. A. N. Balchand, CUSAT Co-PI - Dr. K. Ajith Joseph, NERCI The main objective of this study is to understand upwelling dynamics and its effect on sea level variability. The dissipation of algae blooms in the South-eastern Arabian Sea in relation to mesoscale features of Southwest coast of India. Funded by Space Application Centre (SAC-ISRO).

Commercial use of biomass from Musa sp. (banana) to reduce its negative impact on environmental quality of Kuttanad ecosystem

Principal investigator – Dr. K. Suresh, TocH Institute of Science and Technology, Kochi

Co-investigator - Dr. Nandini Menon. N, NERCI The main objective of this project is to find commercial use of biomass of Musa sp. by extraction of fibre from Banana plant and training the rural women on the effective utilization of bio-waste from banana plant for the production of organic toys and other eco- friendly products for income generation and popularisation of the products through various agencies. This proposal is the first of its kind to take on a potential solution to water pollution on a massive scale and investigate its net benefits/costs compared to the status quo of the financially backward majority of the population. Funded by Dept. of Science and Technology

Regional Climate Change issues and adaptation measures for low lying regions in the context of future sea level rise.
By UNEP-APFED. (Starting from December 2011-2014)

The main objective is to study the regional climate change issues and adaptation measures to future sealevel changes of a region which is lying well below the mean sea level to address: 1) drinking water problems and salt water intrusion 2) land use pattern and identification of proper agriculture practices and 3) Disaster preparedness against the expected rise in sea level due to climate change

Decadal to multi-decadal variability in the Indian Monsoon Rainfall (IMR) and teleconnection with Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) [Researcher project - NORKLIMA] (INDIA-CLIM).
(January 2012 – December 2014) by Nansen Envrionmental Research and Remote Sensing Center (NERSC), Norway.

Participating institute- Dept. Of Physical Oceanography, Cochin University of Science and Technology. The proposed work is centered around computing the upwelling index along the southwest coast of India from 8o to 15oN based on AVHRR SST and ERS-1/2 and QuikSCAT wind stresses between the years 1981 and 2008. The prominent region of upwelling along the southwest coast of India has been identified to be between 8o and 10oN (Jayaram et al., 2009).

Water quality monitoring and low cost purification strategies for inland waterways of low lying areas
UNEP-APFED Programme (Completed)

Partner institute: Centre for Earth Research and Environment Management, Kochi, India.Area of study covered the Meenachil River canals of upper Kuttanad, ArpookaraPanchayat, Kerala, India. The study identified the hot spot regions in terms of water quality of the area. Hot spots are characterized with water highly polluted from domestic and sewage wastes. The study also conducted water quality improvement measures on an experimental basis in the area. The project was completed in December 2009.

Effect of house boats on Vembanad lake ecosystem- an EIA study

Principal investigator- Dr. Nandini Menon. N, Co-investigators- Prof. N. R. Menon and Dr. Ajith Joseph The proposal is a scientific attempt to proclaim the significant role of houseboats, viewed and projected as integral part of Kerala tourism in contaminating the ecosystem.The study area of the proposed project includes the part of Vembanad lake between Punnamada to Thanneermukkom bund, along which majority of the houseboats ply. Funded by Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Govt. of Kerala.