The distribution and sources of organic and inorganic carbon were studied in the Gautami Godavari estuary (Andhra Pradesh, India) and in a mangrove ecosystem in its delta during pre-monsoon. In the oligohaline and mesohaline section (salinity 0--15) of the estuary, internal production of total alkalinity (TAlk) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) was recorded, and the δ13CDIC profile suggests that carbonate dissolution may be an important process determining the DIC dynamics in this section of the Godavari. The partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) was fairly low along the entire salinity gradient, (293--500 ppm), but much higher and more variable (1375--6437 ppm) in the network of tidal mangrove creeks in the delta. Here, variations in the concentration and δ13C of the DIC pool were shown to result largely from the mineralization of organic matter. The present study clearly identifies the mangrove creeks as an active site of mineralization and CO2 efflux to the atmosphere, but shows that these changes in the aquatic biogeochemistry are a localized feature, rapidly fading in the adjacent Kakinada Bay. Our data indicate that mineralization of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of mangrove origin, and its subsequent efflux as CO2 to the atmosphere may represent an important fate for mangrove carbon. Although further quantification of this process in a variety of systems is required, we suggest that some of the current ideas on the role of mangroves in the carbon budget of the coastal zone may need to be reconsidered.