India’s first ‘Teal Carbon’ study

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

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India’s first study on teal carbon was conducted at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district.

The study at KNP aimed to develop holistic solutions for climate change by understanding the potential of teal carbon in mitigating its effects.
It highlighted that degraded wetlands could release harmful methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, further exacerbating climate challenges.
It suggested the use of biochar, a lightweight black residue comprising carbon and ashes.
- This biochar can help reduce methane discharges and improve wetland conservation.
Specialized instruments like the LI-COR device would be required for real-time measurements of greenhouse gases to further the research.

	Details
Definition	Carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, including in vegetation, microbial biomass, and organic matter.
Key Sources	Peatlands, freshwater swamps, natural freshwater marshes.
Global Storage	Approximately 500.21 petagrams of carbon (PgC).
Threats	Pollution, land-use changes, water extraction, and degradation of wetlands.
Comparison	Distinct from black and brown carbon, which are produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter.
Benefits of Teal Carbon Ecosystems	Greenhouse gas reduction Increase in groundwater levels Flood mitigation Heat island reduction Urban adaptation
Conservation Importance	Effective conservation of wetlands can enhance teal carbon pools, contributing to climate regulation and environmental sustainability.

[2021] What is blue carbon?

(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems.

(b) Carbon sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils.

(d) Carbon present in atmosphere.

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