Application of Python Programming for Soil Carbon Stock Assessment in the East Kolkata Wetlands: A Digital Approach to Soil Health Evaluation

In the face of escalating climate change, the megacity of Kolkata holds a strategic advantage in implementing a nature-based sewage treatment model through the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW). This unique ecological system utilizes shallow waste stabilization ponds, where solar irradiation and algae-bacteria symbiosis work synergistically to purify sewage in a low-carbon, energy-efficient manner. Simultaneously, the nutrient-rich effluents support sustainable fish farming, transforming waste into protein and reducing pressure on conventional food systems. Remarkably, portions of raw sewage are diverted for pre-treatment vegetable cultivation, while the treated water is reused for downstream agriculture, including paddy and vegetables, thus reinforcing circular economy principles. This study evaluates Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) across 10 sites in the EKW during 2023 to assess carbon stock levels, offering vital insights into the wetlands’ role as a natural carbon sink and its potential contribution to climate mitigation strategies. Interestingly, in this study Python program has been used to compute Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) stock across these ten sites using field data and the standard formula for evaluating soil organic carbon stock. It is the first approach that has automated data analysis and has opened the roadmap for soil health assessment and conservation planning.