Blue carbon

Blue carbon is a concept within climate change mitigation that refers to "biologically driven carbon fluxes and storage in marine systems that are amenable to management."^: 2220 Most commonly, it refers to the role that tidal marshes, mangroves and seagrasses can play in carbon sequestration.^: 2220 These ecosystems can play an important role for climate change mitigation and ecosystem-based adaptation. However, when blue carbon ecosystems are degraded or lost they release carbon back to the atmosphere, thereby adding to greenhouse gas emissions.^: 2220

The methods for blue carbon management fall into the category of "ocean-based biological carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods".^: 764 They are a type of biological carbon fixation.

Scientists are looking for ways to further develop the blue carbon potential of ecosystems. However, the long-term effectiveness of blue carbon as a carbon dioxide removal solution is under debate.

The term deep blue carbon is also in use and refers to storing carbon in the deep ocean waters.