A review on variability of partial pressure of carbon dioxide in coastal waters of India

Abstract

This review compiles scientific studies on the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in Indian waters (coastal and estuarine). Higher surface pCO2 level varying within 111–1808 µatm has been reported on the east coast of India (western Bay of Bengal) in comparison to the west coast (eastern Arabian Sea) with variability within 266–685 µatm. The estuarine ecosystems of Indian coast have been reported with higher surface pCO2 levels along the east coast (4–34,026 µatm) in comparison to the west coast (351–20,421 µatm). Indian estuaries can be considered as significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2). The seasonal variability pattern discerned higher magnitudes of pCO2 during monsoon period in comparison to pre-monsoon. This review summarizes the key findings of available literature and identifies spatio-temporally understudied pockets of the Indian coast on carbonate chemistry research.