Q36 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · Environment and Ecology

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With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?I.It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.II.It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.III.In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.Select the correct answer using the code given below

A I and II only
B III only
C I, II and III
D None of the above statements is correct

Correct answer: (c) I, II and III

Explanation

  1. A

    I and II only

    I and II only. That drops aviation e-fuels. DAC carbon plus hydrogen is a standard Power-to-Liquid route.

  2. B

    III only

    III only. Sequestration and use in plastics/food are also correct, not only aviation.

  3. C

    I, II and III

    I, II and III. DAC pulls CO2 from ambient air. That CO2 can be stored (sequestration), used as a carbon feedstock in plastics and in food-grade carbonation, or combined with hydrogen to make synthetic aviation fuel.

  4. D

    None of the above statements is correct

    None. All three uses are on the technology tree.

Summary. Official key is (c): Direct Air Capture can sequester CO2, feed plastics and food processing, and supply carbon for aviation e-fuels. (a) drops aviation; (b) keeps only aviation; (d) empties a technology that does all three.

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