Organoclastic degradation and anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) are known to influence sulfate, methane and bicarbonate concentrations of sediment pore-waters. In this work we have analyzed the pore-fluid composition of three piston cores (36e39 m long) collected from water depths ranging from 1429 to 1691 m. We attribute the observed linear sulfate concentration profiles and (delta Ca + Delta Alk)/Delta SO₄ ^2- ratios dominantly to anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) induced sulfate consumption. The gas rich layers just below the base of hydrate stability zone (BGHSZ) is the possible source of the enhanced diffusive flux of biogenic methane (dalta¹³C_CH4 ranging from -99.7 to - 106.3 percentage VPDB). Occurrences of disseminated gas hydrate in the Mahanadi Basin within the hydrate stability zone (210e220 m thick) supports the link between linear sulfate profile, high rate of AOM and hydrate occurrence.