What is blue carbon? Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems? Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils? [2021]

What is blue carbon?

Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems
Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils
Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas
Carbon present in atmosphere

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

Blue carbon refers to the Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These ecosystems are highly efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass and sediments, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.

Diagram illustrating coastal blue carbon cycle, showing carbon absorption through photosynthesis in kelp, seagrass beds, mangroves, and salt marshes. Key elements include carbon storage in biomass and sediments, methane and carbon dioxide release by microorganisms, carbon export, and input from high watershed areas, with color-coded labels and arrows indicating carbon flow processes.