Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | Carbon Storage in Seagrass and Mangrove Habitats in India and Its Implications for Global Estimates of Blue Carbon Ecosystem Service |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Supriyo Kumar Das, Presidency University, West Bengal |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | das.supriyo.kumar@gmail.com |
Equipments : | CHNS analyser |
Details
Executive Summary : | Coastal margin habitats, such as salt marsh, mangrove and seagrass, sequester CO₂ through photosynthesis and store carbon in sediment underneath for millennia. Sedimentary organic carbon, sequestered and stored in coastal habitats, is described as 'Blue Carbon'. Salt marshes, mangrove habitats and seagrass meadows are considered the most efficient global carbon sinks despite their restricted occurrences, vulnerability to anthropogenic developments and global climate change-induced sea-level rise. Interestingly, the blue carbon sequestration and carbon stock in Indian coastal habitats, especially on the eastern coast, have been poorly reflected in published literature. This lack of data adds uncertainty to global carbon sink estimates and significantly reduces the bargaining efficiency of our nation on international platforms discussing climate change mitigation and sharing carbon values. The proposed research aims to estimate sedimentary carbon stocks, carbon sequestration rate and identify the source of carbon as proxies for long-term sequestration and storage of carbon in selected East Indian coastal margin habitats (Chandipur salt marsh, Sundarbans mangrove and seagrass meadows in Chilika Lake). Sort sediment cores and plant samples have been collected from mangrove habitats in Sundarbans, West Bengal and salt marsh in Chandipur, Odisha. Cores were sub-sectioned at one cm intervals and freeze-dried. Cores and plant samples have yet to be collected from the seagrass meadows in Chilika Lake. Further samples from Sundarbans will be collected to address the spatial variability of data. Total carbon, total organic carbon and total nitrogen will be analysed using an elemental CHNS analyser, which was requested in the proposed budget. The research will apply stable isotope geochemistry of organic carbon (δ¹³C) to decipher the source and preservation of organic carbon. ²¹⁰Pb and ¹⁴C AMS dating would be performed to estimate the carbon sequestration rate. Results will be used for modelling studies, compared with published global models and published in high impact peer-reviewed journals. The proposed research would help assigning a monetary value to coastal carbon stock in India that could be useful in international negotiations on carbon tax during future global change discussions. |
Total Budget (INR): | 51,01,360 |
Organizations involved