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.
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
News- Recently, an amateur astronomer discovered a comet in a photograph taken by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft.
About
- A joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA
- Launched in December 1995 for Sun study
- Positioned at Lagrangian point L1, 1.5 million km from Earth
- Equipped with 12 scientific instruments for comprehensive solar observations
- Originally planned for operation until 1998, but extended due to success
- Has significantly enhanced solar understanding and discovered numerous comets
- SOHO stands as the most enduring solar observatory satellite
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