Biogeochemistry of methane emission in mangrove ecosystem – Review

Abstract

Mangrove plays a pivotal role in the nutrient biogeochemical processes by behaving as both source and sink for

nutrients and other materials. Litter from mangroves added major part of the carbon and fresh water sources from estuary enrich them with nutrients. Microbial processes play a vital role in the dynamics of nutrients and its cycling. In the anoxic condition microbes convert organic carbon into methane and other gases. Spatial and temporal variation of methane emission is dependent on complex biogeochemical processes as well as the climatic conditions existing in the mangrove ecosystem. Methane emission from mangrove ecosystems is perceived to be the major source of green house gases in the environment.