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Q29 (IAS/2021) Environment & Ecology › Climate Change & Global Initiatives › Carbon sequestration and storage Official Key

What is blue carbon?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1.

Blue carbon refers to the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems. These ecosystems, particularly mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows, are highly efficient at sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and storing it in their biomass and underlying organic-rich soils.

Why Option 1 is correct:

  • Coastal ecosystems can sequester carbon at rates much higher per unit area than terrestrial forests.
  • Unlike terrestrial soils, marine sediments are often anaerobic, allowing carbon to remain stored for millennia if undisturbed.

Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option 2: This describes Green Carbon, which is sequestered by land-based ecosystems like forests.
  • Option 3: This refers to Fossil Carbon, which has been stored over geological timescales.
  • Option 4: Carbon in the atmosphere is primarily in the form of greenhouse gases (CO2 or Methane).
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
58%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. What is blue carbon? [A] Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems [B] Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soi…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10

This is a textbook 'Sitter' from standard static sources (Shankar IAS, Chapter 21). It represents the 'Term Definition' genre of UPSC questions. If you see a color-coded environmental term (Blue, Green, Black, Brown), you must immediately map its definition and distinct source.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
Presence: 5/5
“• Blue Carbon refers to coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by the indicative vegetation, marine organisms and sediments. • In particular, coastal ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses remove carbon from the atmosphere and ocean, storing it in plants and depositing it in the sediment below them by natural processes.”
Why this source?
  • Provides an explicit definition: Blue Carbon are coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by vegetation, organisms and sediments.
  • Specifically names tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses as ecosystems that remove and store carbon.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
Presence: 4/5
“o The Blue Carbon Initiative is the first integrated program with a comprehensive and coordinated global agenda focused on mitigating climate change through the conservation and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems.”
Why this source?
  • Describes the Blue Carbon Initiative as focused on mitigating climate change through conservation and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems.
  • Links the term to coastal/marine ecosystem management for carbon mitigation.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 18: Ocean Acidification > 18.I. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION > p. 263
Presence: 4/5
“Oceans are an important reservoir for CO absorbing a significant quantity of it (one-third) produced by anthropogenic activities and effectively buffering climate change. Ocean acidification is the change in ocean chemistry - lowering of ccean pH (i.e. increase in concentration of hydrogen ions) driven by the uptake of carbon compounds by the ocean from the atmosphere' As the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the ocean increases, the concentration of hydrogen ions in the ocean increases, the concentration of carbonate ions decreases, the pH of the oceans decreases and the oceans become less alkaline. This process is known as ocean acidification.”
Why this source?
  • States oceans absorb a significant portion (about one-third) of anthropogenic CO2, making them an important carbon reservoir.
  • Explains ocean uptake of CO2 and its chemical consequences, supporting the idea of oceans capturing carbon.
Statement 2
Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The carbon (C) sequestered in vegetated coastal ecosystems, specifically mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, has been termed “blue carbon”."
Why this source?
  • Provides a clear definition of 'blue carbon' as carbon sequestered in coastal vegetated ecosystems (mangroves, seagrass, salt marshes).
  • By specifying coastal ecosystems, it excludes terrestrial forest biomass and agricultural soils from the 'blue carbon' definition.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Green carbon refers to carbon stored in terrestrial ecosystems like forests, grasslands, and agricultural soils. Blue carbon is the coastal counterpart."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly contrasts 'blue carbon' with 'green carbon', stating that green carbon refers to terrestrial ecosystems like forests and agricultural soils.
  • This contrast indicates that forests and agricultural soils are not what 'blue carbon' refers to.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Blue carbon, ca. 2011: “Carbon sequestered in vegetated coastal ecosystems, specifically mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and salt marshes.”"
Why this source?
  • Gives authoritative definitions of 'blue carbon' (2011 and 2022) explicitly linking it to vegetated coastal ecosystems and ocean/coastal carbon capture.
  • Reinforces that 'blue carbon' denotes coastal/oceanic carbon pools rather than terrestrial soils or general forest biomass.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
Strength: 5/5
“• Blue Carbon refers to coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by the indicative vegetation, marine organisms and sediments. • In particular, coastal ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses remove carbon from the atmosphere and ocean, storing it in plants and depositing it in the sediment below them by natural processes.”
Why relevant

Defines 'Blue Carbon' specifically as carbon in coastal, aquatic and marine sinks (tidal marshes, mangroves, seagrasses) and stored in plants and sediments.

How to extend

A student could contrast this marine/coastal definition with known terrestrial pools (forests, cropland soils) to judge whether forests/soils fall under 'blue' vs. other categories.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
Strength: 4/5
“o The Blue Carbon Initiative is the first integrated program with a comprehensive and coordinated global agenda focused on mitigating climate change through the conservation and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems.”
Why relevant

Mentions the Blue Carbon Initiative focused on conservation/restoration of coastal marine ecosystems, reinforcing the coastal/marine scope of 'blue carbon'.

How to extend

One could use the Initiative's stated scope to infer that inland forests and agricultural soils are outside its primary remit.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > zt.r.2. $rpes of Sequestration: > p. 281
Strength: 5/5
“• There are number of technologies under investigation for sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. These can be discussed under three main categories: • Ocean Sequestration: Carbon stored in oceans through direct injection or fertilization. • Geologic Sequestration: Natural pore spaces in geologic formations serve as reservoirs for long-term carbon dioxide storage. • Terrestrial Sequestration: A large amount of carbon is stored in soils and vegetation, which are our natural carbon sinks.”
Why relevant

Lists major sequestration categories including 'Terrestrial Sequestration' where soils and vegetation store carbon (distinct category from ocean/marine).

How to extend

A student can map 'terrestrial sequestration' (forests, cropland soils) as separate from ocean/coastal 'blue carbon', suggesting different terminology.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > carBon SInK. > p. 57
Strength: 4/5
“A carbon sink is anything that absorbs more carbon than that it releases, while a carbon source is anything that releases more carbon than is absorbed. Forests, soils, oceans, water-bodies, and atmosphere all store carbon and this carbon moves between them in a continuous cycle. Tis constant movement of carbon means that forests act as sources or sinks at diferent times. In other words, a carbon sink is natural or artifcial reservoir that accumulates and stores some carbon-containing chemical compounds for an indefnite period. Te artifcial sinks are (i) landflls, and (ii) carbon capture and storage proposals.”
Why relevant

Defines carbon sinks and explicitly names forests and soils as major carbon stores, implying common categorization of these as terrestrial sinks.

How to extend

Combine this with the marine-focused blue carbon definition to reason that forest biomass and agricultural soils are normally classified as terrestrial rather than 'blue'.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > L) The Carbon Cycle > p. 19
Strength: 3/5
“ENVIRONMENT Carbon is present in the atmosphere, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Carbon cycle involves a continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and organisms. Carbon from the atmosphere moves to green plants by the process of photosynthesis, and then to animals. By process of respiration and decomposition of dead organic matter it returns back to atmosphere. It is usually a short term cycle. Some carbon also enters a long term cycle. It accumulates as un-decomposed organic matter in the peaty layers of marshy soil or as insoluble carbonates in bottom sediments of aquatic systems which take a long time to be released.”
Why relevant

Notes long-term carbon accumulation in peaty marsh soils and bottom sediments of aquatic systems, highlighting sediment storage in aquatic/coastal contexts.

How to extend

A student could use this to distinguish aquatic/coastal sediment carbon (aligned with 'blue carbon') from upland agricultural soils and forest biomass.

Statement 3
Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"All tidal wetlands are blue carbon ecosystems."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that tidal wetlands are blue carbon ecosystems, tying 'blue carbon' to coastal ecosystems rather than fossil fuels.
  • Refers to mapping of co-occurring blue carbon systems, indicating an ecological/landscape context for blue carbon.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Salt Marshes Mangroves Seagrass Actionable Blue Carbon Ecosystems Components of blue carbon Percentage of total carbon stock aboveground (plant biomass): Mangroves ~40% Seagrass & Salt Marsh >5%"
Why this source?
  • Lists the ecosystems associated with blue carbon (Salt Marshes, Mangroves, Seagrass), showing blue carbon refers to carbon in these coastal plants/soils.
  • Provides component breakdown of carbon stocks (plant vs soil) for these ecosystems, further indicating an ecosystem-based meaning.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Identify blue carbon ecosystems and the role they play in the global carbon budget"
Why this source?
  • Describes learning objectives to 'Identify blue carbon ecosystems and the role they play in the global carbon budget', linking blue carbon to ecosystems and the carbon cycle.
  • Focus on mapping and measuring carbon stocks in mapped blue carbon ecosystems contrasts with fossil fuel (petroleum/natural gas) context.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
Strength: 5/5
“• Blue Carbon refers to coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by the indicative vegetation, marine organisms and sediments. • In particular, coastal ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses remove carbon from the atmosphere and ocean, storing it in plants and depositing it in the sediment below them by natural processes.”
Why relevant

Gives a clear definition: 'Blue Carbon refers to coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by vegetation, marine organisms and sediments.'

How to extend

A student could compare this ecological sink-based definition with the idea of carbon in fossil fuels to judge whether petroleum/gas (subsurface fossil fuels) fit under 'blue carbon'.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
Strength: 4/5
“o The Blue Carbon Initiative is the first integrated program with a comprehensive and coordinated global agenda focused on mitigating climate change through the conservation and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems.”
Why relevant

States the Blue Carbon Initiative focuses on conserving and restoring coastal marine ecosystems to mitigate climate change.

How to extend

One can extend this to test whether activities concerning petroleum/natural gas extraction are part of such conservation efforts (they typically are not).

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > L) The Carbon Cycle > p. 19
Strength: 5/5
“In deep oceans such carbon can remained buried for millions of years till geological movement may lift these rocks above sea level. These rocks may be exposed to erosion, releasing their carbon dioxide, carbonates and bicarbonates into streams and rivers. Fossil fuels such as coals, oil and natural gas etc. are organic compounds that were buried before they could be decomposed and were subsequently. transformed by time and geological processes into fossil fuels. When they are burned the carbon stored in them is released back into the atmosphere as carbon-dioxide.”
Why relevant

Explains that fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas are organic compounds containing carbon formed from buried biological material.

How to extend

Use this to classify petroleum/natural gas as 'fossil fuel carbon' distinct from the marine/vegetation/sediment carbon named in the blue carbon definition.

Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.1 BONDING IN CARBON – THE COVALENT BOND > p. 60
Strength: 3/5
“4.4. A molecule of ammonia has the formula NH3 . Can you draw the electron dot structure for this molecule showing how all four atoms achieve noble gas configuration? Will the molecule have single, double or triple bonds? Let us now take a look at methane, which is a compound of carbon. Methane is widely used as a fuel and is a major component of bio-gas and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). It is also one of the simplest compounds formed by carbon. Methane has a formula CH4 . Hydrogen, as you know, has a valency of 1. Carbon is tetravalent because it has four valence electrons.”
Why relevant

Notes methane is a major component of natural gas and is a simple carbon-containing fuel.

How to extend

A student could use this to recognise that natural gas is a fuel (combustible carbon), whereas blue carbon refers to stored carbon in ecosystems rather than combustible fuel reservoirs.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > zr.r.r. Sinks > p. 281
Strength: 4/5
“• r Carbon sequestration may be carried out by pumping carbon into'carbon sinks'* an area that absorbs cafbon. • r Natural sinks Oceans, forests, soil etc.• e Artificial sinks Depleted oil reserves, unmineable mines, etc.• r Carbon capture has actuaily been in use for years. The oil and gas industries have used carbon capture for decades as a way to enhance oi1 and gas recovery. Only recently have we started lhinking about capturing carbon for environmental reasons.”
Why relevant

Mentions carbon sequestration uses natural sinks (oceans, forests, soil) and artificial sinks (depleted oil reserves), distinguishing types of carbon storage.

How to extend

This suggests a distinction between coastal/marine natural sinks (blue carbon) and subsurface storage related to oil/gas fields, allowing a student to separate the two categories.

Statement 4
Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon present in the atmosphere?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"These coastal carbon stocks are increasingly referred to as ‘‘blue carbon’’ [2,3]."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly identifies the carbon being discussed as coastal carbon stocks called 'blue carbon'.
  • Shows blue carbon is a label for carbon stored in ecosystems (tidal marshes, mangroves, seagrass).
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Identify blue carbon ecosystems and the role they play in the global carbon budget Map the extent of blue carbon ecosystems using satellite observations Measure the carbon stock of mapped blue carbon ecosystems"
Why this source?
  • Describes blue carbon in the context of ecosystems and their role in the global carbon budget.
  • Indicates measurement and mapping focus is on ecosystems, not atmospheric carbon.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"If we don’t protect these precious coastal and marine ecosystems, we will lose highly efficient natural carbon storage areas. This will mean more carbon in the atmosphere, which we know has a damaging impact on"
Why this source?
  • Refers to coastal and marine ecosystems as 'natural carbon storage areas' that, if lost, increase atmospheric carbon.
  • Implies blue carbon are stored in ecosystems and released to the atmosphere when degraded — not that blue carbon is atmospheric carbon itself.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
Strength: 5/5
“• Blue Carbon refers to coastal, aquatic and marine carbon sinks held by the indicative vegetation, marine organisms and sediments. • In particular, coastal ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses remove carbon from the atmosphere and ocean, storing it in plants and depositing it in the sediment below them by natural processes.”
Why relevant

Explicitly defines 'Blue Carbon' as carbon stored in coastal, aquatic and marine sinks—vegetation, organisms and sediments—rather than as an atmospheric constituent.

How to extend

A student could contrast this definition with what counts as atmospheric carbon to infer whether 'blue carbon' denotes atmospheric carbon or ecosystem/sediment storage.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > zt.r.2. $rpes of Sequestration: > p. 281
Strength: 4/5
“• There are number of technologies under investigation for sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. These can be discussed under three main categories: • Ocean Sequestration: Carbon stored in oceans through direct injection or fertilization. • Geologic Sequestration: Natural pore spaces in geologic formations serve as reservoirs for long-term carbon dioxide storage. • Terrestrial Sequestration: A large amount of carbon is stored in soils and vegetation, which are our natural carbon sinks.”
Why relevant

Lists ocean and terrestrial sequestration as ways carbon is stored, highlighting that 'ocean sequestration' involves storing carbon in the ocean (not atmosphere).

How to extend

Compare the locations named for sequestration (oceans, geologic, terrestrial) with 'atmosphere' to assess whether 'blue carbon' would mean atmospheric carbon.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 2: Functions of an Ecosystem > L) The Carbon Cycle > p. 19
Strength: 4/5
“ENVIRONMENT Carbon is present in the atmosphere, mainly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>). Carbon cycle involves a continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and organisms. Carbon from the atmosphere moves to green plants by the process of photosynthesis, and then to animals. By process of respiration and decomposition of dead organic matter it returns back to atmosphere. It is usually a short term cycle. Some carbon also enters a long term cycle. It accumulates as un-decomposed organic matter in the peaty layers of marshy soil or as insoluble carbonates in bottom sediments of aquatic systems which take a long time to be released.”
Why relevant

Describes carbon in the atmosphere mainly as CO2 and explains the carbon cycle where carbon moves between atmosphere and organisms—indicating atmosphere is a distinct reservoir.

How to extend

Use this reservoir distinction (atmosphere vs. organisms/sediments) to judge whether a term tied to coastal/marine sinks would refer to atmospheric carbon.

Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 17: Climate Change > 12.3.2 Carbon Dioxide > p. 255
Strength: 3/5
“r Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities. Carbon dioxide is naturally present in the atmosphere as part of the Earth's carbon cycle (the natural circulation of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, plants, and animals.) AII Rights Reserved No Part of this material may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing. ffi”
Why relevant

States CO2 is 'naturally present in the atmosphere' as part of the carbon cycle, reinforcing that atmospheric carbon is normally discussed as gaseous CO2.

How to extend

A student could note that if 'blue carbon' refers to carbon in plants/sediments, it differs from atmospheric CO2 described here.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Carbon and Oxygen Cycles > p. 19
Strength: 3/5
“Te ocean absorbs carbon dioxide through photosynthesis by small planktons. Carbon is stored in certain carbonate minerals, such as limestone. Te atmosphere, which is integrating link in the cycle, contains only about 700 billion tons of carbon (as carbon dioxide) at any moment. Tis is far less than in fossil fuels and oil- shales (12,000 billion”
Why relevant

Notes the ocean absorbs CO2 and that carbon is stored in minerals and reservoirs, illustrating that carbon can be held in non-atmospheric pools.

How to extend

Combine this with the definition of 'blue carbon' to infer that 'blue carbon' likely denotes ocean/coastal storage rather than atmospheric carbon.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves 'Buzzword Definitions'. When a term like 'Blue Carbon' enters the lexicon of international conventions (UNFCCC, IPCC), it moves from Current Affairs to Static syllabus within 2-3 years. Master the definitions of all 'Colors of Carbon'.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Shankar IAS (Ed. 10th, p. 282) or any standard Environment module.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Climate Change Mitigation > Carbon Sequestration > Nature-based Solutions.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Complete the 'Carbon Color Wheel': 1. Green Carbon: Terrestrial biosphere (Forests/Soils). 2. Black Carbon: Soot/PM from incomplete combustion (absorbs heat). 3. Brown Carbon: Organic aerosols from biomass burning. 4. Teal Carbon: Freshwater wetlands/peatlands. 5. Grey Carbon: Fossil fuels.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Never learn a term in isolation. If the exam asks 'Blue Carbon', the examiner has likely read a comparative table of carbon types. Your notes must look like a dictionary of these colors.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Blue Carbon: coastal & marine carbon sinks
💡 The insight

Blue Carbon denotes carbon stored in coastal, aquatic and marine sinks such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses.

High-yield for climate and environment questions because it links ecosystem services to carbon sequestration; connects to topics on wetlands, mangrove conservation, and nature-based mitigation; useful for questions on emission offsets and coastal ecosystem policies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Blue Carbon Initiative & restoration as mitigation
💡 The insight

There is a coordinated global program that targets mitigation via conservation and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems.

Important for policy and governance questions: shows how international initiatives operationalise nature-based solutions; connects to restoration policy, international climate mitigation instruments, and coastal management strategies.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Ocean carbon uptake and ocean acidification
💡 The insight

Oceans absorb a large share of anthropogenic CO2, and this uptake alters ocean chemistry (acidification).

Crucial for linking carbon cycle basics to impacts: explains why ocean conservation matters for climate and marine biodiversity; useful for questions on carbon budgets, ocean health, and climate impacts on marine ecosystems.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 18: Ocean Acidification > 18.I. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION > p. 263
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 20: Impact of Climate Change > 20.4" ECOSYSTEMS AND BIO.DIVERSITY > p. 277
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Blue carbon: coastal and marine carbon sinks
💡 The insight

Blue carbon is carbon stored in coastal, aquatic and marine ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses.

High-yield for questions on climate mitigation and nature-based solutions; connects to coastal ecosystem conservation, carbon accounting, and international initiatives. Mastery helps answer policy and ecosystem-based mitigation questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultura..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Terrestrial carbon sinks: forests and soils
💡 The insight

Terrestrial sequestration involves carbon stored in vegetation and soils, including forests and agricultural soils.

Essential for questions on afforestation, soil carbon management, agriculture-climate linkages and national mitigation strategies. Links climate policy to land-use and forestry sectors.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > zt.r.2. $rpes of Sequestration: > p. 281
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > carBon SInK. > p. 57
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultura..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Distinction between blue carbon and terrestrial carbon
💡 The insight

Blue carbon (coastal/marine) is conceptually separate from carbon in forest biomass and agricultural soils (terrestrial sinks).

Clarifies comparative questions and policy choices between coastal restoration and terrestrial land management; useful for answering questions on targeted conservation measures and international programs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > zt.r.2. $rpes of Sequestration: > p. 281
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 6: Environmental Degradation and Management > carBon SInK. > p. 57
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultura..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Blue carbon: coastal and marine carbon sinks
💡 The insight

Blue carbon is the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems such as tidal marshes, mangroves, seagrasses and their sediments.

High-yield for environment and climate questions; links ecosystem services, carbon sequestration processes and coastal conservation policy. Mastering this helps distinguish types of carbon sinks in questions on mitigation strategies and conservation programs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > z!,2,2. Blue Carbon > p. 282
  • Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 21: Mitigation Strategies > The Blue Carbon Initiative > p. 283
🔗 Anchor: "Does "blue carbon" refer to carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas?"
🌑 The Hidden Trap

Teal Carbon. While Blue Carbon (Marine) is tested, 'Teal Carbon' (Freshwater wetlands/peatlands) is the logical sibling. Also, note that Blue Carbon ecosystems (Mangroves) sequester carbon up to 4x faster than tropical rainforests.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Kindergarten Color Logic'. 'Blue' universally represents water/oceans (Blue Economy, Blue Revolution). 'Green' represents plants/forests. Option A says 'Oceans', Option B says 'Forests'. Match Blue to Ocean. Done.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-3 (Environment) & GS-1 (Geography): Link 'Blue Carbon' to India's 'MISHTI' scheme (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats) and India's NDC targets. It is the scientific basis for why Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) are not just about construction, but about climate resilience.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

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Consider the following activities : 1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively 2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime 3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

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IAS · 2012 · Q23 Relevance score: -4.71

Consider the following agricultural practices : 1. Contour bunding 2. Relay cropping 3. Zero tillage In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil ?

CDS-I · 2013 · Q47 Relevance score: -5.05

Which one among the following is responsible for the expansion of water in the ocean ?

IAS · 2017 · Q25 Relevance score: -5.24

In the context of mitigating the impending global warming due to anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, which of the following can be the potential sites for carbon sequestration ? 1. Abandoned and uneconomic coal seams 2. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs 3. Subterranean deep saline formations Select the correct answer using the code given below :