Earth system science organisation(ESSO)
Dr. Shailesh Nayak*
Recognizing the importance of strong coupling among various components
of the earth, viz. atmosphere, oceans, cryo-sphere and geo-sphere the
Ministry of Earth Sciences was found in 2006. Soon after in 2007
came in a virtual organisation, an executive arm of the Ministry, the Earth
System Science Organisation (ESSO). It has three major branches of earth
sciences viz., (i) Ocean Science & Technology (ii) Atmospheric Science &
Technology and (iii)Geoscience and Technology. The sole purpose of the
endeavor was to address holistically various aspects relating to earth
processes for understanding the variability of earth system and for
improving forecast of the weather, climate and hazards.
of the earth, viz. atmosphere, oceans, cryo-sphere and geo-sphere the
Ministry of Earth Sciences was found in 2006. Soon after in 2007
came in a virtual organisation, an executive arm of the Ministry, the Earth
System Science Organisation (ESSO). It has three major branches of earth
sciences viz., (i) Ocean Science & Technology (ii) Atmospheric Science &
Technology and (iii)Geoscience and Technology. The sole purpose of the
endeavor was to address holistically various aspects relating to earth
processes for understanding the variability of earth system and for
improving forecast of the weather, climate and hazards.
Primarily aimed to develop and improve capability to forecast weather, climate and hazard
related phenomena for societal, economic and environmental benefits including addressing
aspects relating to climate change science, climate services and integrated Himalayan meteorology,
the ESSO is also responsible for development of technology towards the exploration and
exploitation of marine resources in a sustainable way for the socio-economic benefit of the
society by taking into account the global developments in the field of marine environment.
related phenomena for societal, economic and environmental benefits including addressing
aspects relating to climate change science, climate services and integrated Himalayan meteorology,
the ESSO is also responsible for development of technology towards the exploration and
exploitation of marine resources in a sustainable way for the socio-economic benefit of the
society by taking into account the global developments in the field of marine environment.
The Vision
The overall vision of the ESSO is to excel in knowledge and technology enterprise for the earth
system science realm towards socio-economic benefit of the Indian sub-continent and in the Indian
Ocean region. It has three major components:
system science realm towards socio-economic benefit of the Indian sub-continent and in the Indian
Ocean region. It has three major components:
· Provide scientific and technical support for both academic and applied research in Earth System
sciences as a whole comprising the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the geosphere, with particular
reference to the Indian sub-continent and the surrounding oceans as well as the Polar Regions.
sciences as a whole comprising the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the geosphere, with particular
reference to the Indian sub-continent and the surrounding oceans as well as the Polar Regions.
· Provide the Nation with the best possible services in forecasting the monsoons and other
weather/climate parameters, ocean state including early warnings to natural disasters like storm
surge, earthquakes, tsunamis and other phenomena through well integrated programs.
weather/climate parameters, ocean state including early warnings to natural disasters like storm
surge, earthquakes, tsunamis and other phenomena through well integrated programs.
· Support science and technology development for exploration and exploitation of ocean
resources (living and non-living), ensuring their sustainable utilization.
resources (living and non-living), ensuring their sustainable utilization.
How does ESSO Work?
The ESSO contributes to the areas of Weather (General), Weather advisories specific to
agriculture, aviation, shipping, sports, etc. Monsoon, Disasters (cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, sea
level rise), Living and non-living resources (fishery advisory, poly-metallic nodules, gas hydrates,
freshwater etc), Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change, Underwater Technology.
One of the major schemes of the ESSO, on defining and deploying satellite based, airborne and
in-situ atmospheric, ocean and lithosphere observing systems, acts as backbone for achieving the
objectives. These policies/programmes are being pursued through its centres viz.,
autonomous bodies and subordinate offices. The institutions, viz. India Meteorological Department
(IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research
(NCAOR), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian National Centre for Ocean
Information Services (INCOIS), Centre for Marine Living Resources (CMLRE) and Integrated
Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) were grouped under the ESSO. These institutions
are under Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), managed by the ESSO Council. Each centre
has been created with a specific well defined mandate. The ESSO operates through ESSO council,
an apex body to formulate policies and plans, and provide program directions for the Centres/Units
and review the implementation of programmers.
agriculture, aviation, shipping, sports, etc. Monsoon, Disasters (cyclone, earthquake, tsunami, sea
level rise), Living and non-living resources (fishery advisory, poly-metallic nodules, gas hydrates,
freshwater etc), Coastal and Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change, Underwater Technology.
One of the major schemes of the ESSO, on defining and deploying satellite based, airborne and
in-situ atmospheric, ocean and lithosphere observing systems, acts as backbone for achieving the
objectives. These policies/programmes are being pursued through its centres viz.,
autonomous bodies and subordinate offices. The institutions, viz. India Meteorological Department
(IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Antarctica and Ocean Research
(NCAOR), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian National Centre for Ocean
Information Services (INCOIS), Centre for Marine Living Resources (CMLRE) and Integrated
Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) were grouped under the ESSO. These institutions
are under Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), managed by the ESSO Council. Each centre
has been created with a specific well defined mandate. The ESSO operates through ESSO council,
an apex body to formulate policies and plans, and provide program directions for the Centres/Units
and review the implementation of programmers.
Desalination Technology
Desalination refers to the process by which pure water is recovered from saline water by the
application of energy. The commercially relevant desalination processes are broadly classified
as thermal and membrane processes. The Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) is a
process by which warm surface seawater is flash evaporated under low pressure and condensed
with cold deep seawater, for generation of freshwater.
application of energy. The commercially relevant desalination processes are broadly classified
as thermal and membrane processes. The Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) is a
process by which warm surface seawater is flash evaporated under low pressure and condensed
with cold deep seawater, for generation of freshwater.
The ESSO has set up till date 4 Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants
successfully in the country, one each at Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti, Lakshadweep and at Northern
Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS), Chennai. The technology is completely indigenous,
robust and environment friendly. Out of this four plants, the Minicoy andAgatti plants were
established in April 2011 and July 2011, respectively. The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is
1lakh litre per day of potable water. According to the cost estimates made recently by an
independent agency for LTTD technology, the operational costs per litre of desalinate water
currently works to be 19 paise. The ESSO had earlier demonstrated a LTTD offshore desalination
Plant of 1 MLD capacity in April 2009 about 40 km off Chennai on a barge. It is now proposed to
demonstrate a 10 MLD offshore plant. Currently, a project document of 10-MLD plant is being
prepared after conducting the prefeasibility studies. The LTTD technology does not require any
chemical pre and post-treatment of seawater. Due to the safe drinking water which is being
supplied by the Desalination Plant in Kavaratti since May 2005, the waterborne diseases, have
come down to less than 10 percent. This technology has now been stabilized and uses very low
amount of electricity and is being operated by local people.
successfully in the country, one each at Kavaratti, Minicoy, Agatti, Lakshadweep and at Northern
Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS), Chennai. The technology is completely indigenous,
robust and environment friendly. Out of this four plants, the Minicoy andAgatti plants were
established in April 2011 and July 2011, respectively. The capacity of each of these LTTD plants is
1lakh litre per day of potable water. According to the cost estimates made recently by an
independent agency for LTTD technology, the operational costs per litre of desalinate water
currently works to be 19 paise. The ESSO had earlier demonstrated a LTTD offshore desalination
Plant of 1 MLD capacity in April 2009 about 40 km off Chennai on a barge. It is now proposed to
demonstrate a 10 MLD offshore plant. Currently, a project document of 10-MLD plant is being
prepared after conducting the prefeasibility studies. The LTTD technology does not require any
chemical pre and post-treatment of seawater. Due to the safe drinking water which is being
supplied by the Desalination Plant in Kavaratti since May 2005, the waterborne diseases, have
come down to less than 10 percent. This technology has now been stabilized and uses very low
amount of electricity and is being operated by local people.
South Pole Scientific Expedition
India had successfully completed a scientific expedition to the South Pole during November-December
2010. It was very important expedition as it was part of the international celebration of centenary
of man’s reaching South Pole in 1911.The first expedition to the South Pole started in 1902 and
completed in 1911.This expedition was scientific in nature and was carried out with ice trucks,
ice vehicles which travel 80 to 90 km/hour against the first expedition which was an adventure
expedition where dogs and sledges were used.
2010. It was very important expedition as it was part of the international celebration of centenary
of man’s reaching South Pole in 1911.The first expedition to the South Pole started in 1902 and
completed in 1911.This expedition was scientific in nature and was carried out with ice trucks,
ice vehicles which travel 80 to 90 km/hour against the first expedition which was an adventure
expedition where dogs and sledges were used.
The 8-member team collected valuable atmospheric aerosol data and several short ice cores in the
course of itstransect from the Schiramcher Oasis to the South Pole. The team reached South Pole on 22nd
November, 2010 and after conducting on-site sample collection for research and undertaking other scientific
tasks, returned to ‘Maitri’ on 1stDecember 2010. The scientific studies carried out by the team enroute
as well as on the South Pole comprised: raising cores at regular spacing along the Maitri-South Pole (Amundsen-Scot station) traverse to study variability of snow chemistry, particulate matter, etc.; GPR sections along traverse to understand bed rock topography and sub surface-ice structure; study of glacial- geomorpholoical landforms along the plateau; collection of meteorological and geophysical parameter along the 2000 km long traverse.
course of itstransect from the Schiramcher Oasis to the South Pole. The team reached South Pole on 22nd
November, 2010 and after conducting on-site sample collection for research and undertaking other scientific
tasks, returned to ‘Maitri’ on 1stDecember 2010. The scientific studies carried out by the team enroute
as well as on the South Pole comprised: raising cores at regular spacing along the Maitri-South Pole (Amundsen-Scot station) traverse to study variability of snow chemistry, particulate matter, etc.; GPR sections along traverse to understand bed rock topography and sub surface-ice structure; study of glacial- geomorpholoical landforms along the plateau; collection of meteorological and geophysical parameter along the 2000 km long traverse.
Tsunami Early Warning System
A state-of-the-art Tsunami Warning System made operational in September 2007 has been in
continuous operation to forewarn of an impending disaster in less than 10 minutes of an
occurrence of an earthquake. The National Tsunami Early Warning Centre (NTEWC) is operated
24x7. So this ensures that the warning of a possibility of a Tsunami is given out ahead of it actually
hitting the coast, allowing people to evacuate and take necessary precaution. A network of
seismometers, data buoys, tide gauges have been employed for receiving real-time data for
generation and issue of tsunami alert. The data from roughly 329 seismic stations (27 national and
302 international) are received and processed. Further, NTEWC has been receiving data from
60 international tide gauge stations in the Indian Ocean in real-time. The early warning
system monitors potential tsunamigenic earthquakes, sea level propagation of tsunami waves
in the ocean, and consequent sea level changes. This centre has been recognized as a
Regional Tsunami ServiceProvider(RTSP) for the Indian Ocean Region. The Centre has been
identified formally by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO along
with Australia and Indonesia as Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System for providing tsunami
service to the Indian Ocean Rim countries from October 2011.
continuous operation to forewarn of an impending disaster in less than 10 minutes of an
occurrence of an earthquake. The National Tsunami Early Warning Centre (NTEWC) is operated
24x7. So this ensures that the warning of a possibility of a Tsunami is given out ahead of it actually
hitting the coast, allowing people to evacuate and take necessary precaution. A network of
seismometers, data buoys, tide gauges have been employed for receiving real-time data for
generation and issue of tsunami alert. The data from roughly 329 seismic stations (27 national and
302 international) are received and processed. Further, NTEWC has been receiving data from
60 international tide gauge stations in the Indian Ocean in real-time. The early warning
system monitors potential tsunamigenic earthquakes, sea level propagation of tsunami waves
in the ocean, and consequent sea level changes. This centre has been recognized as a
Regional Tsunami ServiceProvider(RTSP) for the Indian Ocean Region. The Centre has been
identified formally by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO along
with Australia and Indonesia as Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System for providing tsunami
service to the Indian Ocean Rim countries from October 2011.
Monsoon Mission
The ESSO has launched the Monsoon Mission for improving the predictability of the Indian
Monsoon. Better monsoon prediction will help the Nation in taking advance action in preparing
for the agricultural and other impacts of the monsoon. It consists of two sub-themes- Seasonal
and Intra-seasonal Monsoon Forecast and Medium Range Forecast. The mission will support
focused research by national and international research groups with definitive objectives and
deliverables to improve models in the medium range as well as in the extended and seasonal
range scales through setting up of a framework for generating dynamical forecasts and improving
skill of forecasts. The Mission will also support observational programs that will result in better
understanding of the processes. Under the Mission, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
will coordinate and lead the effort for improving the forecasts on seasonal and intra seasonal scale.
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) will lead and coordinate
the efforts for improving the forecasts in the medium range scale. These will be made operational
by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In a bid to improve the skill of the forecasts in
various temporal and spatial ranges, proposals will be invited from national as well as international
Institutes on very specific projects and deliverables. Provisions for funding the national as well as
the international partners will be provided. These partners will be allowed to use the HPC
facility at IITM and NCMRWF which will be suitably enhanced for the purpose. A National Steering
group is being put in place to steer the program and review the progress of the mission. (PIB Features)
Monsoon. Better monsoon prediction will help the Nation in taking advance action in preparing
for the agricultural and other impacts of the monsoon. It consists of two sub-themes- Seasonal
and Intra-seasonal Monsoon Forecast and Medium Range Forecast. The mission will support
focused research by national and international research groups with definitive objectives and
deliverables to improve models in the medium range as well as in the extended and seasonal
range scales through setting up of a framework for generating dynamical forecasts and improving
skill of forecasts. The Mission will also support observational programs that will result in better
understanding of the processes. Under the Mission, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
will coordinate and lead the effort for improving the forecasts on seasonal and intra seasonal scale.
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) will lead and coordinate
the efforts for improving the forecasts in the medium range scale. These will be made operational
by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In a bid to improve the skill of the forecasts in
various temporal and spatial ranges, proposals will be invited from national as well as international
Institutes on very specific projects and deliverables. Provisions for funding the national as well as
the international partners will be provided. These partners will be allowed to use the HPC
facility at IITM and NCMRWF which will be suitably enhanced for the purpose. A National Steering
group is being put in place to steer the program and review the progress of the mission. (PIB Features)
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