UPSC CSE Prelims

Correct Option: A (Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems) Explanation: Blue carbon is carbon captured and stored by coastal and marine ecosystems, notably mangroves, seagrass meadows and salt marshes. Option-wise Analysis: A. Correct-blue carbon belongs to oceans and coastal ecosystems. B. Incorrect-Forest and agricultural soil carbon is terrestrial/green or soil carbon, not blue carbon. C. Incorrect-Fossil-fuel carbon is geologic, not ecosystem-captured blue carbon. D. Incorrect-Atmospheric carbon dioxide is not, by itself, a blue-carbon store.