01
Validation and refinement of ocean colour products
Development, modelling, and fine-tuning of EOS-06 and future ocean colour bio-optical algorithms, along with regional biogeochemical models.
Observing the Coastal Ocean
with Science & Precision
The NICES Coastal Observation Research Laboratory (CORAL) brings together long-term in-situ observations, advanced analytical facilities and Earth Observation science to strengthen understanding of India's coastal waters.
ABOUT NICES-CORAL
A dedicated facility for coastal observation
The NICES-CORAL (Coastal Observation Research Laboratory) has been established at Visakhapatnam under the National Information System for Climate and Environment Studies (NICES) programme of the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, in collaboration with the Centre for Studies on Bay of Bengal (CSBoB), Andhra University. Envisioned as a facility for sustained coastal climate observations. The inauguration of the facility was held on 17 July 2026, jointly inaugurated by Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director, NRSC and Prof. G. P. Raja Sekhar, Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor, Andhra University, highlighting the strong partnership between NRSC/ISRO and Andhra University in advancing coastal and climate research.
CORAL is dedicated to generating long-term time-series and in-situ measurements for Indian coastal waters. These observations provide critical inputs for deriving geophysical products, validating oceanographic models, and improving predictions of nearshore and offshore processes.
From observation to insights
Serving as a hub for instrument-based observations, analytical facilities, and collaborative research, the laboratory strengthens India's capacity in coastal climate change studies. By ensuring the continuity of high-quality datasets, CORAL supports our understanding of ecosystem resilience and contributes to effective coastal resource management.
NICES-CORAL
Coastal Observation Research Laboratory
OBJECTIVES
Building a long-term coastal observation capability
CORAL is designed to strengthen the observational foundation needed to understand coastal processes, ecosystem variability and changing ocean conditions.
02
Coastal water quality assessment and monitoring
Analysis of nutrients, pH, organic matter, and periodic changes in plankton composition, with emphasis on ocean biogeochemistry.
03
Process studies in coastal dynamics
Investigating the impacts of coastal currents, upwelling, and extreme atmospheric events on nutrient dynamics, plankton communities, and air-sea CO₂ fluxes under varying environmental conditions.
SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK
A collaborative coastal science ecosystem
NICES-CORAL will address key scientific themes including climate change impacts on salinity, temperature, stratification, sea-level rise, and extreme events in Indian coastal waters, along with their consequences for ecosystems and coastal communities. It will also examine freshwater fluxes, biogeochemical processes, carbon cycling, and primary productivity, and develop robust indicators of ecosystem resilience and vulnerability. Effective implementation requires strong programmatic linkages with NICES, INCOIS, NCCR, IITM, MoES ocean observation programs. Building on CSBoB collaborations with INCOIS, NCCR, and IITM, CORAL will integrate nearshore, coastal, and open-ocean observations with advanced modeling and data assimilation frameworks.
NRSC, ISRO
NICES
CORAL
Coastal Observation Research Laboratory
CSBoB, Andhra University
INSTRUMENTATION FACILITY
Instruments available for ocean studies
To support these objectives, the facility has been equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced analytical instruments procured under the project. These include a pCO2 Sensor, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, FTIR-Spectrophotometer, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Coulometer, Nutrient Auto Analyzer, Flow Cytometer, Sunphotometer, Ozonometer and Water Purification System essential for integrated coastal monitoring.
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Instruments
Marine water samples analysis at NICES-CORAL Facility, CSBoB, Andhra University
UPCOMING EVENT
Contact Us
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Department of Space, Government of India
Balanagar, Hyderabad – 500037
Telangana, India
Email: nices_coral@nrsc.gov.in
NICES-CORAL
Building a stronger observational foundation for India's coastal waters
Bringing together observations, remote sensing, instrumentation and scientific collaboration to strengthen understanding of the coastal ocean.