Latest news with #NationalCentreforPolarandOceanResearch
Time of India
6 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
CO2 spike hastens melting of West Antarctic ice sheet, lethal sea surge looms, shows study by Goa-based NCPOR
Panaji: A new study by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, warns that a critical part of the west Antarctic ice sheet is already undergoing rapid and potentially irreversible melting. The west Antarctic ice sheet contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by over three to five metres. Once destabilised, the ice could rapidly disintegrate, discharging massive volumes into the Antarctic Ocean. The melting is driven not only by rising air temperatures but also by the intrusion of warm ocean waters beneath the ice sheet. The findings paint a concerning picture for global sea-level rise, with direct implications for coastal regions and low-lying areas, including in India. The research, published in the journal Nature Communications, focuses on a particularly vulnerable area known as the Amundsen Sea Embayment. This region is home to some of the world's fastest-melting glaciers, including the Thwaites 'doomsday' glacier. The study led by NCPOR has traced the origins of stability in the west Antarctic ice sheet to a critical climate transition that occurred 2.7-2.5 million years ago — a period marking the shift from the warm Pliocene to a cold Pleistocene climate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo For climate scientists, the Pliocene period, 5.3-2.6 million years ago, is the best comparison with present-day climate conditions. The Pliocene period experienced 2-3°C higher temperatures, and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were between 350 parts per million (ppm) and 450ppm, which are comparable to the early 21st century and 25-60% higher than pre-industrial values. The peer-reviewed study shows that the west Antarctic ice sheet remained remarkably stable for nearly 2.6 million years. Earlier climate models suggested that the west Antarctic ice sheet may have experienced frequent collapses during warmer interglacial periods of the Pleistocene era. The new evidence challenges that view. Instead, the findings suggest that once the ice sheet expanded around 2.7 million years ago, it remained stable even during the warmest intervals. The resilience that endured is now under threat. Present-day carbon dioxide levels have crossed 420ppm. According to the study's lead author, paleoclimatologist Waliur Rahaman, the earth is fast approaching the point of no return for ice sheet expansion and long-term stability. 'Present-day climate conditions are similar to those during the Pliocene period, suggesting we are approaching or may have already crossed a similar tipping point,' said Rahaman, a scientist at NCPOR. Rahaman said, 'Though the study does not pinpoint an exact timeline, it provides compelling evidence that we are dangerously close to crossing the threshold. The message is unequivocal: the window to prevent irreversible west Antarctic ice sheet collapse is rapidly approaching, underscoring the urgent need for immediate and decisive climate action.' Even if global temperatures were to return to pre-industrial levels in the future, scientists warn, the ice sheet may no longer recover to its original size. 'The current phase of rapid melting and mass loss is thus considered unprecedented in the last 2.7 million years,' Rahaman said. By providing a robust geological reference, NCPOR's research strengthens future climate model predictions and contributes to more accurate forecasting of sea-level rise. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Goa University begins PhD admission for 2024-25
Panaji: The Goa University has started the process of admissions to PhD programme seats for the academic year 2024-25 at the university schools and research centres affiliated to it. The university notification states that online applications will be received till June 3 and interviews with candidates will be held on June 11 and 12. Declaration of candidates is expected by June 17. The Goa University has announced hundreds of vacancies for PhD across general stream and professional streams. Seats are available at National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa College of Engineering, Goa College of Pharmacy and Goa College of Music, among others. Subjects for research include deep Sea and estuarine geochemical studies, disability and gender studies, biological oceanography, pharmaceutical sciences, law, Hindustani classical music, Marathi feminist literature, among other topics. 'Admission to the PhD programmes is open to candidates who qualify for the fellowship/scholarship in UGC-NET/UGC-CSIR NET/ GATE/CEED and similar national level tests or any other test notified by the UGC from time to time, based on an interview. Candidates not falling under above, but have qualified NET/SET lectureship shall be eligible for admission to the PhD programme based on an interview. There shall be 70% weightage for the score at the NET/SET and 30% weightage for the interview,' the notification states. Candidates not falling under these categories but who have answered the entrance test conducted at the University and those qualifying this test will be eligible to attend the interview, the university has said. Students have to apply for the seats through the e-Samarth portal. Applicants are eligible to apply for a maximum of three programmes, the varsity stated. 'Every candidate shall have to reside within the territorial jurisdiction of Goa University during the first three years of the period of research leading to a PhD degree,' the university said.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
IITM expands rainfall monitoring network with hi-tech installation at ocean research hub in Goa
1 2 3 Pune: The IITM, Pune, has expanded its advanced rainfall monitoring capabilities with the installation of a sophisticated Joss-Waldvogel Disdrometer at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa, extending the country's network of precise precipitation measurement systems . A team of scientists from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, installed the equipment with support from NCPOR. The disdrometer can measure rainfall characteristics with significant precision, capturing real-time data on drop size distribution, rain rate and accumulation. These measurements are crucial to improve weather forecasting models and understand monsoon patterns along India's western coast, scientists said. This advanced instrument is a part of the nationwide initiative of the IITM to expand India's Disdrometer Network, designed to study the rainfall microphysics across various climatic regions of the country. Inaugurating the system on Thursday, NCPOR director Dr Thamban Meloth said, "This installation will greatly enhance our observational capabilities and contribute significantly to coastal meteorological research." The installation is expected to strengthen India's infrastructure for high-resolution rainfall monitoring and research under the umbrella of the ministry of earth sciences, Government of India.
