Dr Kousik Das, Assistant Professor and Dr Shoji Devasia Thottathil, Associate Professor, from the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering along with their Ph.D. scholar Ms Nagham Mahmoud Ismaeel, has investigated how methane, a gas that contributes significantly to global warming fluctuates within a coastal zone influenced by tidal activity.

In their research paper “Methane Dynamics in a Tropical Meso-Tidal Creek: Influence of Tidal Pumping, Submarine Groundwater Exchange, and Cyclonic Events” published in the Q1 journal Estuaries and Coasts, they observe that methane levels vary depending on – Tidal cycles, Groundwater type (saline or fresh), Weather conditions, such as hurricanes. During the cyclone, methane levels increased due to heightened water movement and mixing. This finding is significant, as elevated methane levels translate to a greater impact on climate change.

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of methane (CH₄) in a tropical tidal creek system, focusing on the influence of tidal pumping, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), and extreme climatic events such as cyclones. The results revealed significant variability in methane concentrations between the post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, demonstrating an inverse relationship between methane concentration and tidal height. Furthermore, the study indicated that the source of methane shifts seasonally between recycled saline groundwater and terrestrial freshwater groundwater. Additionally, Cyclone Mocha led to a notable increase in methane concentrations, resulting from enhanced exchange between surface water and groundwater. The study illustrates that multiple environmental factors interact to governing methane dynamics in tropical coastal systems.

Practical implementation/ Social implications of your Research

This research holds significant importance across several fields:

• Climate Change: It helps improve estimates of methane emissions from coastal zones, a globally significant source that is currently imprecisely quantified.
• Coastal Management: It provides a better understanding of how groundwater and tidal dynamics influence water quality and biogeochemical processes.
• Disaster Forecasting: It elucidates how hurricanes impact gas emissions, thereby aiding in the prediction of environmental changes during extreme climatic events.
• Environmental Policy: It supports the development of strategies aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in coastal regions.

Collaborations

This research was conducted in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) with experts in the fields of – Coastal Hydrogeology, Environmental Geochemistry and Greenhouse Gas Dynamics.

This multidisciplinary collaboration facilitated the integration of field measurements, chemical analyses, and environmental modeling.

Future Research Plans

Future plans include:

• Conducting long-term studies to understand seasonal and annual variations in methane dynamics.
• Investigating the role of microbes in methane production and consumption within coastal systems.
• Expanding research to encompass other coastal systems (such as mangroves and various estuaries).
• Utilizing predictive models to link climate change with increased methane emissions.
• Studying the impact of trace elements and emerging contaminants on carbon cycles in coastal regions.

Read the full article – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12237-026-01706-5