Natural and Anthropogenic Methane Emission form Coastal Wetlands of South India

摘要

For the first time, the methane emissions form diverse coastal wetlands of South India have been mea- sured. Annual emission rates varied widely, ranging from 3.10 mg/m~2/hr (Bay of Bengal) to 21.56 mg/m~2/hr (Adyar River), based on nature of the perturbance to each of the Ecosystems studied. Distinct seasonality in methane emis- Sion was noticed in an unpolluted ecosystem (mangrove: 7.38 mg/m~2/hr) and over a twofold increase was evident in the ecosystem that was disturbed by human activities (21.56 mg/m~2/hr).