Current Affairs 29 March 2024 for UPSC And State PSC Exam

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

Check for More Current Affairs

Sharing is caring!