Sources and dynamics of sedimentary organic matter in Sundarban mangrove estuary from Indo-Gangetic delta

Mangrove forests are highly productive ecosystems distributed along the tropical coast line. Nutrient biogeochemistry of mangroves are primarly driven by both allochthonous and autochthonous sources. Characterization of organic matter in coastal ecosystems enables to understand the biogeochemical transformation of organic matter and its influence on ecosystem productivity in response to various changing environmental conditions. Therefore, the elemental and stable carbon and nitrogen levels were employed to understand the organic matter (OM) dynamics in the Sundarban mangrove ecosystem (India-Bangladesh). Differences in stable isotope values indicate that variable sources influence the OM dynamics in Sundarban sediments. The progressive enrichment in δ 13C levels along the land-coastal continuum indicates that the terrestrial and marine inputs are dominant at the landward and seaward ends,…