Seagrass meadows are increasingly recognized for their role in mitigating climate change through blue carbon sequestration and their influence on local carbonate chemistry. This study investigates the spatial variability of aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) and assesses the blue carbon storage potential of seagrass meadows along the Palk Bay, Southeast Coast of India. Subsurface water samples were collected across multiple seagrass-dominated stations between May and June 2024. Key seawater carbonate system parameters, including pH, temperature, total alkalinity (TA), and salinity, were measured to calculate Ωarag using CO2SYS software. Sediment cores were analyzed for organic carbon content and bulk density to estimate carbon stock. Results revealed significant spatial variation in Ωarag, influenced by seagrass density, species composition (Cymodocea serrulata and C. rotundata), and hydrodynamic conditions. Stations with dense C. serrulata beds showed elevated Ωarag values, suggesting local amelioration of acidification stress. The mean carbon stock was estimated at 1.97 Mg C/ha−1, with higher values in more mature (> 60% cover) and dense seagrass patches. These findings highlight the dual ecological function of seagrass meadows in enhancing local carbonate saturation and functioning as effective carbon storage systems, underlining their significance in coastal ecosystem-based climate mitigation strategies.
Rangesh K., Rajan R. S. P., Dineshbabu M., Anand M. & Panda U. S., 2026. Spatial dynamics of aragonite saturation state and blue carbon stocks in seagrass meadows of the Palk Bay, Southeast Coast of India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 198: 87. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14933-3. Article.
