Research Projects

The Deep-sea environments occupy more than 95 % of global biosphere and are characterized by variously specialized ecosystems which include nutrient-rich oxygen minimum zones in the water column and heterogeneous ecosystems such as coral reef, seamounts, sponge beds etc. in the benthic. The ecology and biogeochemistry of these systems are unique and the organisms living are exposed to various extreme environmental conditions including depleted oxygen, low temperature, high pressure, and recalcitrant organic matter etc. The inhabitants of these ecosystems acquire various adaptations to survive in such harsh environments. Many adaptations are mediated through microbial symbiosis through an evolutionary process or acquired from the local environmental regime. The present proposal is prepared based on a detailed analysis of datasets generated in previous programs on the existence of seamounts in the Arabian Sea. In the present project, we aim at chemical and biochemical characterization of the seamounts in the deep sea environment along the eastern Arabian Sea. It is also envisaged to barcoding the major fauna and their microbial symbionts using conventional and molecular tools. The study will also be focusing on the role of associated microorganisms in the remineralization process, which will be assessed by measuring the enzyme expression profile of isolated microorganisms under laboratory conditions. Overall the project will give an insight into the diversity and functioning of Seamounts, a benthic ecosystem, in the deep sea. This will significantly improve our current knowledge on these ecosystems which will help to derive policy decisions on conservation and sustainable utilization of these ecosystem