Coastal wetlands store vast amounts of carbon as "blue carbon" in vegetation and soil, making them critical for climate change mitigation and global carbon cycling. These ecosystems are highly productive and can store carbon for millennia, although they are vulnerable to degradation from human activities and climate change, which can turn them into carbon sources rather than sinks. Effective management and conservation efforts are crucial to protect these valuable carbon stocks and enhance their capacity to mitigate rising CO2 levels.

    Coastal wetlands store vast amounts of carbon as "blue carbon" in vegetation and soil, making them critical for climate change mitigation and global carbon cycling. These ecosystems are highly productive and can store carbon for millennia, although they are vulnerable to degradation from human activities and climate change, which can turn them into carbon sources rather than sinks. Effective management and conservation efforts are crucial to protect these valuable carbon stocks and enhance their capacity to mitigate rising CO2 levels. 

How Coastal Wetlands Store Carbon
Photosynthesis:-
 Plants in coastal wetlands capture CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter (biomass). 
Soil Accumulation:-
  A significant portion of this organic matter, particularly from decaying roots and other plant material, is deposited into the anaerobic (low-oxygen) sediments, where it is preserved for long periods. 
Blue Carbon Ecosystems:-
 Wetlands, along with mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, are known as "blue carbon" ecosystems due to their ability to sequester and store large quantities of carbon in their soils and vegetation. 
Their Role in the Global Carbon Cycle
Carbon Sinks:-
  Coastal wetlands act as significant net carbon sinks, meaning they absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release, helping to reduce CO2 concentrations. 
Long-term Storage:-
They can store this carbon in their soils for thousands of years, effectively keeping it out of the atmosphere and mitigating global warming. 
Comparison to Forests:-
  These ecosystems can store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests combined and sequester carbon much faster than tropical rainforests. 
Threats and Vulnerability
Degradation and Loss:
Since 1970, a substantial portion of the world's natural wetlands has been damaged or destroyed, leading to the release of stored carbon and increased atmospheric CO2. 
Climate Change:-
 Sea level rise and increased frequency of tropical cyclones can negatively impact wetland carbon storage. 
Shift to Carbon Sources:-
 Degraded or damaged wetlands can lose their capacity as carbon sinks and become sources of greenhouse gases, such as methane, which traps heat much more efficiently than carbon dioxide. 
Importance of Conservation
Climate Mitigation:-
 Protecting and restoring coastal wetlands presents a significant opportunity to combat climate change by preserving existing carbon stocks and enhancing their sequestration potential. 
International Goals:-
The protection and restoration of wetlands are supported by initiatives like the Wetlands Convention and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing their crucial role in the global carbon cycle and overall ecosystem health. 

MJF Lion ER YK Sharma 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Solar Generation in Night hrs

How to get get Solar generations in Night        While standard solar panels cannot generate electricity at night,     New technologies are being developed to address this limitation.      These advancements focus on harnessing the earth's heat or using infrared radiation emitted by the Earth to generate power, potentially creating 24-hour renewable energy sources.  Key Concepts and Technologies :- 1) Anti-Solar Panels (Thermo-radiative Cells):- How they work:-    These panels, also known as thermoradiative cells, work in reverse of traditional solar panels. Instead of absorbing sunlight, they emit infrared radiation into space, which is then converted into electricity.    Nighttime energy:-     They can generate electricity from the difference in temperature between the panel and the surrounding environment, essentially converting the heat escaping into space back into usable power.  Potential:-  ...
Read more

Hydrogen at home — It's the end of solar and wind power

  Hydrogen at home — It's the end of solar and wind power         Statement "1000 pounds" per day of hydrogen at home — It's the end of solar and wind power in the world" is not accurate.     While hydrogen can be produced from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, it's not a replacement for those sources themselves. Hydrogen production via electrolysis, using renewable electricity, is a promising avenue for decarbonization, but it doesn't negate the need for solar and wind power as direct energy sources.  Cause behind its is as under. Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier:-     Hydrogen is an energy carrier, meaning it stores energy produced elsewhere (like from solar or wind) and can be used to power fuel cells or for other applications.  Electrolysis:-     A key method of producing "green" hydrogen involves using electricity from renewable sources (like solar and wind) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen throu...
Read more

State-wise carbon emissions in India show a concentration in western and southern states, with byd as major emitters, particularly from the manufacturing and energy sectors. The highest total CO2 emissions have been linked to states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, though the specific ranking can vary depending on the data year and the specific pollutants included.

Image
Top 10 Electricity-Producing States in India (2025) Share of India’s  Total Power Generation in (%) 1) Gujarat ~12.61% 2) Maharashtra~10.71% 3)Rajasthan~10.29% 4)Tamil Nadu~7.63% 5)Karnataka~6.30% 6)Uttar Pradesh~5.88% 7)Andhra Pradesh~5.25% 8)Madhya Pradesh~4.62% 9)Telangana~3.78% 10)Haryana~2.94%      State-wise carbon emissions in India show a concentration in western and southern states, with  by d as major emitters, particularly from the manufacturing and energy sectors. The highest total CO2 emissions have been linked to states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, though the specific ranking can vary depending on the data year and the specific pollutants included.   Key Trends & States Western & Southern Dominance:  - Studies indicate that western states and some southern states are consistently among the highest emitters of CO2.  Manufacturing Powerhouses:  - States with si...
Read more