Carbon Sequestration

Definition

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate climate change. This process can occur naturally through biological systems or artificially through technology, significantly impacting carbon reservoirs, fluxes, and overall climate dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Carbon sequestration can occur through natural processes such as plant growth, soil formation, and ocean absorption, making ecosystems vital in this effort.
2. Technological approaches include carbon capture and storage (CCS), where CO2 emissions from industrial processes are captured and stored underground or repurposed.
3. Forests are significant carbon sinks due to their ability to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and store it in biomass and soil.
4. Wetlands are another critical area for carbon sequestration as they store large amounts of carbon in their saturated soils while also providing habitat for diverse species.
5. Land use changes, such as deforestation or afforestation, greatly influence the effectiveness of carbon sequestration by altering the balance of carbon stored in vegetation and soils.

Review Questions

• How does carbon sequestration relate to the processes of photosynthesis and the carbon cycle?
  • Carbon sequestration is closely linked to photosynthesis because plants capture atmospheric CO2 during this process, converting it into organic matter that contributes to biomass. This captured carbon is then stored in various reservoirs, such as trees and soils. Additionally, through the carbon cycle, this sequestered carbon can be released back into the atmosphere via respiration or decomposition, highlighting the dynamic nature of carbon flows in ecosystems.
• Discuss the impact of human activities on carbon sequestration and the implications for climate change.
  • Human activities such as deforestation, land conversion for agriculture, and fossil fuel burning significantly disrupt natural carbon sequestration processes. These activities reduce the capacity of forests and soils to store carbon, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels. Conversely, practices like reforestation and sustainable land management can enhance carbon sequestration, providing a natural strategy to mitigate climate change effects.
• Evaluate emerging technologies in biogeochemical research that enhance carbon sequestration efforts.
  • Emerging technologies such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) show promise for enhancing carbon sequestration. DAC systems actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere using chemical processes, while BECCS combines bioenergy production with CO2 capture from biomass combustion. These innovations aim to create negative emissions by effectively sequestering more CO2 than is released, offering a powerful tool in addressing global climate challenges.

Related terms

Photosynthesis:

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of carbon dioxide and water, producing oxygen as a byproduct.

Carbon Cycle: The natural process by which carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, land, water bodies, and living organisms, involving various reservoirs and fluxes.

Soil Carbon Storage: The accumulation of organic carbon in soils, which plays a critical role in global carbon cycling and can be enhanced through various land management practices.