Riset Ilmiah Kelautan

Deskripsi

CALL FOR PPROPOSAL

INDONESIA MISSION 2026 : MARINE SCIENCE LANDSCAPE OF ALOR AND ITS ADJACENT INDIAN OCEAN 

(Tracing extreme upwelling events, deepwater biodiversity, and ecosystem connectivity in the Pantar strait)

 

BACKGROUND

OceanX is successfully deployed three marine scientific research in Indonesian waters, during past three years. In collaboration with Indonesian researchers coordinated by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), OceanX successfully support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes nextgen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans.

The recommended program is an integrated physiochemical oceanography and biodiversity investigation that traces cold-water propagation from the southern Pantar Strait and adjacent Savu Sea into Mulut Kumbang Strait. The program would combine CTD and ADCP surveys, multibeam bathymetry, water chemistry, depth-stratified eDNA sampling, and direct deep-sea observation using sub-sea assets. It would be complemented by focused megafauna surveys within the broader Pantar Strait around Pura island and a possible coastal seagrass dugong workstream near Mali Beach in Northeast Alor. Similar methods will be deployed in the Indian Ocean south of Savu Basin to reveal the oceanographic connection as well as the effect of bathymetric features to the deep water biodiversity using various methods including eDNA alongside direct observation.

 

REGIONAL SCIENCE MARINE-LANDSCAPE

The Sahul Shelf is a shallow marine region located north of Australia that extends westward to Indonesia, encompassing waters such as the Arafura Sea and the Timor Sea. This region is significantly influenced by the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF)—a crucial current flowing from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean through the Indonesian archipelago - which regulates global heat distribution and affects water circulation patterns in the Arafura and Timor Seas (Schneider, N., 1998; Sprintal et al., 2000). Furthermore, oceanographic dynamics on the Sahul Shelf are influenced by global phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña, as well as seasonal variations and the movement of the monsoon, which affect surface currents and sea temperatures in the region. Upwelling—a phenomenon characterized by cold, nutrient-rich seawater rising from the depths to the surface—commonly occurs in parts of the Sahul Shelf, such as the Timor Sea, significantly impacting biological productivity in the area. In addition, the Sahul Shelf is known for strong tides in shallower waters, which have a significant impact on sediment dynamics and ecosystems, including coral reefs and mangrove habitats.

Two proposed location areas of interest, first focus is the adjacent Indian Ocean south of Savu Basin, and the second is Alor Strait, Pantar Straits and surrounding waters.

 

EXPEDITION PLAN

Area Focus 1: Indian Ocean of Savu Basin

The Indian Ocean south of the Savu Basin, is the primary exit gate of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) from Pacific Ocean to Indian Ocean trough the semi-enclosed Savu Basin and small straits connecting the Banda Sea to the Savu Basin. This regian is a strategic region where marine physical, chemical, and biological dynamics converge. Physically, the ITF carries warm, relatively fresh water from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, reinforcing thermocline stratification and influencing large-scale currents such as the South Equatorial Current. Chemically, this transport reduces the salinity of the surface layer, distributes nutrients across basins, and plays a role in the partial ventilation of the oxygen-minimum zone in the Indian Ocean. Biologically, the interaction between the current and monsoon winds triggers upwelling that increases primary productivity, supports plankton abundance, and enriches pelagic biodiversity—which is crucial for tropical fisheries. Thus, this region is not only a pathway for water mass exchange but also an ecological and chemical hub that determines regional and global oceanic balance. However, this location is almost unmapped and unexplored. 

A. Physical and chemical oceanography

Figure 5 displays a regional oceanographic map showing the climatological ocean currents for November (2023–2025) across four different depths in the Indonesian Seas (specifically around the Lesser Sunda Islands, Savu Sea, and Timor region) derived from Copernicus network (www.copernicus.eu). At the Surface and Upper Ocean Intensification (0.5m – 50m), the ITF exit transport is highly surface-intensified during November. High-velocity vectors (red/orange) show water gushing southward through the straits. This flow quickly bends westward and southwestward upon entering the open ocean. This reinforces the South Equatorial Current (SEC) in the Indian Ocean. The month of November represents a monsoonal transition phase. Surface winds drive strong local geostrophic responses here. Whereas, at Rapid Thermocline Decoupling (100m – 200m), the current magnitude drops drastically at 100 meters depth. At 200 meters, the flow is nearly stagnant (dark blue). This indicates strong vertical shear or baroclinic mode dynamics. The Deep Pacific water entry is restricted at these depths. Islands like Sumba, Rote, and Timor act as physical barriers and act as Topographic Steering. They constrict and accelerate the escaping water masses. This creates the localized jet visible in the 0.5 m panel.

 

 

The ITF at this exit point to the Indian Ocean carries warm, relatively fresh water from the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean. South of the Savu Basin, this flow merges with the westward-moving South Equatorial Current (SEC). Meanwhile, the SEC’s path is influenced by seasonal and interannual winds, with Rossby waves modulating the current’s trajectory. This determines whether the ITF spreads westward toward Africa or southward through the Leeuwin Current off Australia. The ITF enhances the thermocline, amplifying temperature and density differences in the water column, thereby influencing vertical circulation and heat storage.

The salinity of the ITF water mass is relatively lower than that of the Indian Ocean, so the mixing process will reduce salinity in the upper layers of the Indian Ocean. In terms of nutrients, changes in water mass stratification affect the distribution of nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate). The ITF can transport nutrients from the western Pacific, but strong stratification limits their supply to the surface. On the other hand, variations in circulation affect dissolved oxygen in the intermediate layer. This region is associated with the Indian Ocean Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ), so ITF transport plays a role in partial ventilation.

B. Bio-geochemical cycle in the Indian Ocean south of Savu

Biogeochemical cycles in the southern Savu Basin, at the entrance to the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF), are shaped by a unique interaction between physical circulation, nutrient dynamics, and biological productivity. The ITF transports warm, relatively fresh Pacific water into the Indian Ocean, thereby altering the carbon and nutrient budgets in the region. Physically, this inflow enhances stratification and modulates vertical mixing, which in turn regulates how nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate, and silicate are supplied to the euphotic zone. Chemically, the ITF influences oxygen distribution in the upper and middle layers, contributing to the ventilation of the Indian Ocean’s oxygen-minimum zone while redistributing dissolved inorganic carbon. Biologically, seasonal upwelling and monsoon winds boost primary production, triggering plankton blooms that drive the cycles of organic matter and trace elements. The decomposition of organic particles sinking to the depths releases nutrients back into the water column, closing the biogeochemical cycle. Essentially, this region functions as a dynamic gateway where inputs from the Pacific Ocean reshape nutrient pathways, carbon fluxes, and ecosystem productivity in the Indian Ocean, with far-reaching consequences in both basins and extending into the global climate system.

C. Biodiversity and Hadal Ecosystem

In Savu Basin interaction between ITF and local current and wind may trigger upwelling, which increase the nutrient content in the surface. Change in salinity and temperature of the ITF affects the distribution of plankton, which forms the basis of the marine food chain. The ITF serves as a migration route for larvae and marine life between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, enriching biodiversity in the tropics. Variations in currents and productivity affect the stocks of large pelagic fish (such as tuna), making this region economically and ecologically important.

Just south of the Savu Basin, the marine environment undergoes a striking and dramatic change. As the shallow straits give way to the open Eastern Indian Ocean, the seafloor drops sharply toward the Java Trench (also known as the Sunda Trench), which reaches extreme depths exceeding 7,000 meters. This is marked the deepest part of the entire Indian Ocean (depth > 7,000 meters) and hence a true hadal environment. The connection between the upper-ocean biodiversity fueled by the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and this extreme, deep-sea hadal ecosystem creates a highly unique vertical ecological engine.

While baleen whales and dolphins stick to the upper photic zones and migratory corridors of the Savu Sea, deep-diving megafauna like sperm whales actively bridge these deep ocean zones. They dive thousands of meters down along the slopes of the trench to hunt large deep-sea squids, creating a direct predatory link between the rich surface layers and the bathyal/abyssal boundaries of the hadal zone

D. Geology of the transition zone between subduction and collision

South of the Savu Basin, the Indian Ocean records a critical tectonic transition where the Indo‑Australian Plate shifts from oceanic subduction beneath the Banda Arc to direct collision with the Australian continental margin. This process is geologically important because it produces intense seismicity, volcanism, and uplift, while also building complex accretionary prisms that incorporate oceanic and continental sediments. The collision drives the emergence of islands like Timor and Savu, reshaping the forearc and providing a natural laboratory for understanding how subduction zones evolve into continent–arc collisions. In essence, this region highlights the dynamic interplay of plate convergence, crustal deformation, and magmatism that defines the tectonic architecture of eastern Indonesia. Bathymetric data, sub bottom profiler and direct observation using ROV (where depth applicable) is importance to understand the geological process of this transition area. 

 

Area Focus 2: Alor and Surrounding Waters

A. Oceanographic and Bathymetric Setting

The Pantar Strait connects the Flores Sea to the north with the Savu Sea to the south (Figure 1). narrow passages, steep volcanic slopes, deep depressions, vigorous tides,   monsoon forcing, and interaction with the Indonesian Throughflow create strong spatial and temporal variability. Public bathymetric coverage remains incomplete, increasing the scientific value of targeted mapping and the operational importance of local knowledge.

• A deep southern basin has been reported at approximately 1,060 m and is a leading candidate for storage or transit of the EUE cold-water mass.
• A bowl-like depression south of Pura Island reaches approximately 800m depth; waters southwest of Ternate Island reach approximately 650 m.
• Steep bathymetry east of Pura Island may form a channel that focuses water toward Alor Kecil.
• Current velocities and associated dive risk vary strongly with season, tide, and local slope; modeled commercial-dive safety declines at multiple steep-slope sites and during spring tide (Prasetyo et al., 2024).

 

 

B. Extreme upwelling events at Alor Kecil

Wirasatriya et al. (2023) documented an unusual EUE in Mulut Kumbang Strait in which near-surface temperature fell by approximately 10°C within an hour, reaching about 12°C. The cooling was accompanied by a salinity increase from approximately 30 to 34-36, indicating the arrival of colder, saltier deep water. Events recur roughly twice daily for one to several days, are associated with strong flood tides, and have been observed from August through November. New-moon spring tides, followed by a lag of roughly one to four days, appear to provide a useful forecasting signal.

The leading mechanism is tidal sloshing: a northward flood current transports deep, cold water through a bathymetric channel toward Mulut Kumbang Strait; the ebb tide and background circulation subsequently return the water southward. The existing evidence supports a deep southern-basin source, but it does not fully resolve whether the water originates within the Pantar Strait, is renewed from the Savu Sea, or reflects exchange between both systems.

 

C. Biological signals and deepwater biodiversity

Surface eDNA collected before, during, and after EUE conditions detected 323 fish taxa and included several deep-associated myctophids. Astuti et al. (2025) interpreted these detections as evidence that cold water may originate at or below approximately 1,000 m with possible origins pointing to the Savu sea – outside of the Pantar Strait entirely. The results establish a compelling biological signal, but surface eDNA alone cannot determine organism depth, direction of DNA transport, residence time, or whether detections represent living organisms transported toward the surface. Direct observations and depth-stratified sampling are therefore essential.

 

D. Megafauna and nearshore habitats

Alor lies within a wider cetacean movement region shaped by deep channels and seasonal productivity. Dolphins have been observed feeding on fish rendered lethargic or unconscious during EUEs. The Alor Marine Protected Area also supports coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, dugongs, sharks, rays, turtles, and migratory whales. Near Mali Beach, seagrass meadows and recurring dugong observations create a complementary coastal research opportunity with strong community and stewardship dimensions. Manta rays are an occasional visitor to Pantar Strait. Historically, their numbers were large than those observed today but due to the widespread use of gill netting, manta ray populations and sightings have become increasingly uncommon.

 

 

E. MPA's

There are marine and coastal protected areas throughout the region, including completely surrounding Komodo Island and the western half of Alor Island. Komodo, Alor, and Timor-Leste highlighted with a star, protected areas shown in teal; slightly shaded areas are within the Indonesian EEZ (Figure 4). Protected areas from World Database of Protected Areas (WDPA, https://www.protectedplanet.net/en/thematic-areas/wdpa?tab=WDPA)and no further investigation has been done as to level of protection imposed or general accessibility. Further, The area south Alor was indicated as a priority area for conservation in maps that circulated during general SoJi discussions.

 

Tabel 1. Knowledge gap

Knowledge gap	Decision-driving question
Cold-water origin	Is the principal source Basin E/southern Pantar Strait, the Savu Sea, or a connected sequence of reservoirs?
Propagation pathway	Which bathymetric channels and tide phases control the movement, vertical displacement, and retreat of the cold-water mass? What areas are unmapped in high resolution that would add to our understanding of source region?
Water-mass identity	What temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrient, carbonate, and optical signatures distinguish the source water?
Deep biodiversity	Which fishes, invertebrates, microbes, and gelatinous organisms occupy the deep southern basin and connecting slopes?
Biological transport	Which organisms and larvae are transported by EUEs toward the surface?
Food-web response	How do plankton, fishes, dolphins, and other predators respond during and immediately after a cold pulse?

 

RESEARCH PROGRAM

1. Goal

• Determine the origin, physical pathways, and ecological consequences of Alor's extreme upwelling by integrating basin-scale oceanography with deepwater biodiversity observation and molecular detection.
• Determine the origin, physical pathways, and ecological consequences of Indian Ocean South of Savu Basin as the major gateway of ITF to the Indian Ocean.

2. Objectives

• Resolve the EUE source water and quantify exchange between the Savu Sea, southern Pantar Strait basins, and Mulut Kumbang Strait;
• Map fine-scale bathymetry and identify the channels, sills, and slopes that control northward cold-water propagation;
• Measure event evolution: before, during, and after a forecast EUE using ship-based, time-series observations;
• Characterize deepwater vertebrate and invertebrate diversity using depth-stratified eDNA paired with ROV, camera, and acoustic observations both;
• Quantify changes in surface and midwater communities and examine predator responses, including dolphin feeding behavior;
• Develop a predictive model that demonstrates the mechanism of cold-water movement from the southern Pantar Strait to the Mulu Kumbang strait.

 

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

1. Spatial Design

No	Station	Location	Purpose
1	Savu Sea Reference	Outside southern Pantar Strait	Characterize candidate source water before it enters the strait. Conduct water column CTD sampling at deepest points in Savu Sea towards Pantar Strait
2	Southern Basin/Basin E	Deep southern Pantar Strait	Profile the leading local source reservoir and deep biodiversity with CTD and eDNA sampling. Dive the depression and observe biodiversity in the submerged ancient river system
3	Pura South Channel	East of Pura Island	Resolve focused northward transport along steep bathymetry
4	Ternate Southwest	Southwest of Ternate Island	Provide a deep comparison site and lateral transect control
5	Mulut Kumbang South	Southern mouth of the narrow strait	Capture the incoming cold-water pulse before surface expression.

 

2. Integrated Work Package

The integrated work package applies for Location 1 and Location 2.

No	Work Package	Core Methods
1	WP 1: Seafloor and water-column mapping	Multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom context where feasible, shipboard ADCP, CTD
2	WP2: Water-mass characterization	Temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, turbidity, nutrients, chlorophyll, carbonate chemistry, and suspended particles.
3	WP3: Time-series observation	Moored temperature/salinity/pressure sensors and current meters across the suspected pathway; rapid-response surface loggers at Alor Kecil.
4	WP4: Molecular biodiversity	Replicated eDNA at surface, midwater, near-bottom, and reference depths; field blanks, extraction controls, technical replicates, and curated reference workflows.
5	WP5: Direct biological observation	ROV hydroacoustics, plankton imaging/nets, and annotated video
6	WP6: Megafauna response	Standardized visual effort, passive acoustics, photo-identification, behavioral observations, and linkage to physical conditions.
7	WP7: Modeling and synthesis	Tide-resolving hydrodynamic model, particle/eDNA transport scenarios, and an event forecast product.

 

RESEARCH VESSEL

OCEANXPLORER

The OceanXplorer measures 87.1 m long and 21.4 m wide and accommodates research and media activities for a maximum of 72 crew members. OceanXplorer is powered by four Caterpillar 3516B engines delivering a total power output of 1900 kW at 1,800 rpm. It has support vessels (a Metal Shark boat, two Zodiac Milpro Mk 6 HD inflatable boats, and Maritime Partner MP-741 Springer fast rescue craft) and the H125 Airbus resident helicopter. 

 

Sonar Array and Equipment

Its sonar array, also known as the gondola, features two multibeam systems, the Kongsberg EM712 and EM304, capable of mapping to 3,600 m and 6,000 m respectively. This cutting-edge acoustic array enables high-resolution mapping of the seabed bathymetry. Working along other sensors, including those that visualize the top layers of seafloor substrate, currents, and biomass within the water column, these technologies provide scientists with all the data they need to deeply understand an entire ocean ecosystem from surface to the seafloor. 

The vessel is equipped with CTD, built-in collection systems, and scanners, as well as other equipment such as a 3D photogrammetry rig, and a hydrophone array. The vessel also features scuba diving facilities to equip up to 12 divers, dive cylinders, a recompression chamber, emergency oxygen gear, various dive scooters, and other required stuff. 

Deep Sea Vehicle

The vessel features two manned Triton submersibles with the capacity to dive to more than 1000 m deep water for up to eight hours, Argus Mariner XL remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Remus 6000 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with the capability to explore up to 6,000m underwater. A 40t man-rated A-frame crane was installed to launch submersibles, towed sonar arrays, and other heavy equipment.

Descending into the twilight zone, the ship’s two Triton submersibles are equipped with an array of science and media equipment. Neptune is configured to maximize science with a retractable tray for mounting scientific devices. Nadir doubles as a movie marine studio, broadcasting its discoveries to the surface in real time for audiences around the world.

Wet and Dry Labs

Four wet and dry labs are used for various purposes, such as microscopy, aquarium tanks, genetic sequencing, biofluorescent imaging, and visualization of samples from the ship’s various sensors. 

 

 

CALL FOR PROPOSAL TIMELINE

Activity	Date/Period
Call Announcement	September 30 – October 11 2026
Administrative Review	October 11 – 12, 2026
Substantive Review	October 12 – 18, 2026
Final Results	October 19, 2026
Workshop	October 20, 2026
Expedition	November 12 - 28, 2026

 

Persyaratan

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

1. Applicant for the RIIM Invitasi Strategis must be Indonesian citizens, whether civil servants or non-civil servants;
2. Applicant from Civil servant  must be active civil servants who have not been relieved of their official duties;
3. The principal investigator (Ketua Tim) must hold at least a Master’s degree (S2) and be currently pursuing a Doctorate (S3);
4. The minimum educational requirement for research team members is a Bachelor’s degree (S1);
5. Preference is given to proposal applicants who collaborate on research with other institutions, both domestic and international;
6. Each researcher may be involved in a maximum of 3 (three) funding proposals for the Strategic Innovation Research Program per year during the funding period, either by serving as the principal investigator in 1 (one) proposal and as a team member in the other 2 (two) proposals, or by serving as a team member in all 3 (three) proposals;
7. The research team must have a track record relevant to the proposed activities and possess the necessary capacity and competencies aligned with the research topic;
8. The principal investigator and team members must have clearly defined roles, appropriate expertise, and relevant track records, as clearly outlined in their résumés and the research implementation organization chart;
9. The principal investigator and team members must register and have accounts in the Risnov Funding Information System and the eRispro Information System

 

Special requirements for applicants to participate in this marine scientific research:

1. Physically healthy, with a health certificate from a health facility level 1 (Fasilitas Kesehatan Tingkat 1)
2. Proficient in spoken English.
3. Copy of passport (valid for at least 6 months before Februari 1, 2026)
4. Incentives to be received: Round-trip travel expenses from home base to destination port
5. Daily allowance (according to SBM BRIN) IDR 250,000.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENT

1. Proposals must be prepared using the specified proposal format.
2. Approval documents must be complete.
3. Proposals must receive legal approval from the institution's head (at least the head of the work unit or an equivalent), as evidenced by the signature of the institution's head, the institution's stamp, or an electronic signature on the approval sheet.

 

SUBSTANTIVE REQUIREMENT

1. The proposal topic must align with the  themes provided
2. Submitted a plan for data and sample acquisition activities during the expedition.
3. Outline post-expedition activities, including data and sample analysis plans, interpretations, and publication plans including timeline

 

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

1. Participants must register through the website: https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id/
2. Participants are required to upload their Call for Participant proposals and other necessary documents online via the website: https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id/ by the specified deadline.
3. The organizing committee will announce the names of applicants who advance through each selection stage on the website https://pendanaan-risnov.brin.go.id/ or through an official letter.