International Journal of Environmental Research

International Journal of Environmental Research

Dissolved Methane Fluctuations in Relation to Hydrochemical Parameters in Tapi Estuary, Gulf of Cambay, India

Authors
J.I. Nirmal Kumar 1
R.N. Kumar 2
S. Viyol 1
1 Post Graduate Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research (ISTAR), Vallabh Vidyanagar -388 120, Gujarat, India
2 Department of Biosciences and Environmental Science, Natubhai V Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences (NVPAS), Vallabh Vidyanagar -388 120, Gujarat, India
10.22059/ijer.2010.276
Abstract
Methane is one of the important greenhouse gases that contribute to a rise in global mean surface temperature. Aquatic environments are postulated to contribute > 50% of the total global methane (CH4) flux to the atmosphere (de angelis and Lilley, 1987). Dissolved methane concentration in surface waters was measured from January to December 2008 at two selected sites upper reaches (ONGC Bridge) and lower reaches (Dumas) of Tapi estuary, Gulf of Cambay, Gujarat, India. Besides, the important hydrochemical parameters like total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity and nutrients (phosphate, nitrate and sulphate) were also analyzed. The mean dissolved CH4 concentration for all water samples at upper reaches was 1369.00 nmol/L and at lower reaches was 1082.04 nmol/L. The positive correlation was found between dissolved methane content and total organic carbon. On the contrary, the negative correlation was observed between methane concentration and nutrients like dissolved oxygen, salinity, phosphate, nitrate and sulphate. The probable causes for varying dissolved methane concentration and saturation at different reaches with hydrochemical parameters are discussed.
Keywords
Dissolved CH4
Tropical estuary
Total organic carbon and nutrients
International Journal of Environmental Research
Volume 4, Issue 4
Autumn 2010
Pages 893-900