Page 74 - Annual Report_21-22

post-monsoon. The maximum value for both season was dynamics of this estuary and coastal region have
observed at the estuary point. The Dhamra estuary, on tremendous significance from the perspective of the blue
the other hand, is quite influenced by the waters flowing carbon budget. Both estuary and coastal region of Dhamra
through the Bhitarkanika mangroves, being situated in act as a strong CO sink in winter. The average fCO of water
2
2
the region. Mangrove soils are globally known as one of was measured to be 184.38± 26.73 µatm in winter. The
the strongest blue carbon stocks, and the Bhitarkanika higher fCO of water was observed in nearshore sampling
2
mangrove forest is one of India’s notable mangrove stations.
forests after the Sundarbans. Hence, the biogeochemical

Fig. 1: Sampling Locations at Mahanadi Estuary

Fig. 2: Sampling Locations at Dhamra Estuary

72 ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22