REEFS LAB

- by
Shaped by the remains of marine life, the calming waters and pristine beaches of Lakshadweep are not just sights of scenic delight but indicators of biological, physical, and chemical processes that form and sustain these atoll islands. Primarily made from corals, molluscs, algae, and tiny marine organisms, these sediments offer important insights into the island’s establishment, growth, and resilience through time.

A new study by researchers from the REEFS lab at IITGN investigates qualitatively and quantitatively the various carbonates factories and their relative abundance across different regions and grain sizes, providing valuable insights into sediment production, transport, and accumulation/redistribution.

The research highlights the natural vs anthropogenically induced variabilities in sediment production across the lagoons of Agatti and Kavaratti atolls, which are modified by local patterns of water movement, or hydrodynamics. By comparing Lakshadweep’s sediment dynamics with those of other Indian Ocean atolls, particularly the Maldives, the study provides a broader context. The research also highlights how understanding the variability of sediment production and transport can help assess the vulnerability of low-lying carbonate islands to climate change. Its findings are critical for informing targeted conservation strategies that address both climate change and local human stressors, ultimately enhancing the resilience of these fragile ecosystems.

The team, led by Prof Pankaj Khanna, includes PhD students Shradha Menon and Saikat Kumar Misra.

Read more through the link in bio.

REEFS Lab at CoLab 2025 held at IIT Gandhinagar on 22nd February.This full-day event aims to promote and strengthen meaningful collaborations between industry leaders, IITGN faculty, and students.

Daudayal Sharma presented his research on outcrop analogue studies of fossilized geothermal system at Chumathang, Ladakh at 8th National Research Scholar Meet-2024 ( from November 22nd to 25th, 2024 at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India) Organized by - Wadia of Himalayan Geology

Authored by - Daudayal Sharma*, Horthing V Zimik, Salim Akhtar, Sam T Thiele, Aditya Naik, Pankaj Khanna

-
The EAGE Workshop on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Basalts commenced successfully at IITGN, bringing together experts and professionals for insightful discussions. The workshop started with the opening remarks by Prof Pankaj Khanna, Prof Vikrant Jain and Prof Rajat M***a, Director IITGN. It was followed by the felicitation and opening address by the chief guest, Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Hon'ble Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India.

Here are some glimpses from the workshop.

- by
IITGN is excited to host an international workshop on EAGE Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Basalts on Feb 3-4, 2025, bringing together experts from NITI Aayog, government agencies, industries, and academia to discuss commercial subsurface carbon storage in basalts. The workshop focuses on bringing forth the key research themes pertaining to 'Carbon Capture and Storage in Basalts' in the Indian context.

For more information, click on the link in our bio.

Shradha presented her poster on carbonate sediment Dynamics in the Lakshadweep archipelago:implications for atoll habitability at the 3rd Pages-Inqua ECR workshop, Tropqua24 held at NIO GOa from 3-7th November.

REEFS Lab Diwali celebration 2024

- by
We are thrilled to share that Prof Pankaj Khanna, Assistant Professor, Earth Sciences;
and Prof Rusa Mandal, Assistant Professor, Physics, have been selected as Associates of the Indian Academy of Sciences in Earth Sciences and Physics, respectively.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to them!

Prof. Pankaj Khanna delivered a lecture and hands-on session on Drone Data Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation in the Summer School in Geospatial Science and Technology organised Dr. Kiran C. Patel Centre for Sustainable Development, IITGN. 

The program was held from July 1-21 and  supported by the National Geospatial Program (NGP), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

REEFS Lab Dinner outing!

Our summer intern crew is gearing up for a productive season with REEFS Lab . Comprising five students from a variety of academic backgrounds, the interns are currently undergoing drone training. This program will equip them with the necessary skills for data collection, processing, and interpretation – laying the groundwork for a productive and impactful internship season.