UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 19: Environment and Ecology

What is blue carbon?

aCarbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems

bCarbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils

cCarbon contained in petroleum and natural gas

dCarbon present in atmosphere

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Blue carbon is carbon captured and stored by the ocean and coastal ecosystems, mainly mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass meadows, much of it locked in their sediments. These habitats store carbon for long periods and in large amounts per hectare, which is why they matter for climate mitigation. Carbon held in forest biomass and farm soils is terrestrial carbon, and carbon in fossil fuels or the atmosphere is not blue carbon.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: blue carbon is carbon held in oceans and coastal ecosystems.
(b) Wrong: this describes terrestrial carbon storage, not blue carbon.
(c) Wrong: carbon in petroleum and gas is fossil carbon.
(d) Wrong: atmospheric carbon is not blue carbon.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.