Current Affairs 29 March 2024 for UPSC And State PSC Exam

Here is the 29 March Current Affairs for UPSC 2024 covering the headlines on Afanasy Nikitin Seamount, Mushk budiji Rice, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO).

Table of Contents

Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

News- India has recently submitted an application to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) seeking exploration rights for two large areas on the Indian Ocean seabed, one of which is the cobalt-rich crust area known as the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount).

About-

AN Seamount: A structural feature in the Central Indian Basin.
Located approximately 3,000 km from India’s coastline.
Features a main plateau rising 1,200 m above the surrounding seabed (4,800m deep).
Rich in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper deposits.

Seamount

Underwater mountains created by volcanic activity.
Known as hotspots for diverse marine life.
Can be active, extinct, or dormant, similar to land volcanoes.
Typically form near mid-ocean ridges due to tectonic plates moving apart, allowing molten rock to reach the seafloor.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge and East Pacific Rise are two well-studied examples of mid-ocean ridges.
Found near intraplate hotspots and volcanic, seismic island chains known as island arcs.

Significance of Seamounts

Offer insights into the mantle’s composition and the evolution of tectonic plates.
Aid in understanding the impact on water circulation and the absorption of heat and carbon dioxide.
Serve as conducive environments for marine life due to the localized ocean upwelling, which brings nutrient-rich water from deep in the ocean to the surface.

Mushk budiji Rice

News- Scientists recently found that elevation and temperature significantly influence the development of the scent in mushk budiji rice.

About-

Short, bold aromatic rice variety from the higher regions of the Kashmir valley.
Known for its balanced taste, distinct aroma, and rich sensory properties.
Predominantly cultivated in Sagam, Panzgam, and Soaf Shali in the Anantnag district.
Consumption now mostly reserved for special events, weddings, and festivals.
Awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY

A study was conducted on mushk budiji rice’s flavor profile using GC-MS and an ‘electronic nose.’
Identified 35 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in mushk budiji rice samples.
Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP), a known aromatic compound, is found exclusively in samples from higher altitudes.

Chromatography-mass Spectroscopy

Chromatography-mass spectroscopy is a technique for identifying volatile substances in organic mixtures, applied across geological, environmental, and biological samples.