Carbon Sequestration

Definition

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate climate change. It involves the long-term removal, capture, and storage of carbon from the atmosphere in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Carbon sequestration plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is essential for mitigating climate change.
2. Natural carbon sinks, such as forests, oceans, and soils, can absorb and store significant amounts of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and other biological processes.
3. Technological approaches to carbon sequestration, like carbon capture and storage (CCS), aim to capture CO2 from industrial sources and store it underground or use it in other applications.
4. Afforestation, the establishment of new forests, is a widely recognized method of carbon sequestration, as trees and plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and store it in their biomass and soil.
5. Biochar, a charcoal-like substance produced from the pyrolysis of organic matter, can be added to soil to improve fertility and sequester carbon for long periods.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of carbon sequestration in mitigating climate change.
  • Carbon sequestration is a critical strategy for mitigating climate change by removing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. By capturing and storing carbon, either through natural processes like photosynthesis or technological methods like carbon capture and storage, carbon sequestration helps reduce the overall concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, thereby slowing the rate of climate change and its associated impacts.
• Describe the different approaches to carbon sequestration and their respective advantages.
  • Carbon sequestration can be achieved through both natural and technological methods. Natural approaches include afforestation, which increases the number of trees and plants that can absorb and store carbon dioxide, and soil-based sequestration, such as the use of biochar to improve soil fertility and carbon storage. Technological approaches, like carbon capture and storage (CCS), involve capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources and storing them underground or utilizing them in other applications. While natural methods are often more cost-effective and have additional environmental benefits, technological approaches can potentially sequester larger quantities of carbon from point sources, making them complementary strategies in the fight against climate change.
• Analyze the potential challenges and limitations of large-scale carbon sequestration efforts.
  • Implementing carbon sequestration on a large scale faces several challenges and limitations. Technological approaches like CCS require significant upfront investments and infrastructure, and their long-term storage and safety are still being evaluated. Natural methods, such as afforestation, can be limited by the availability of suitable land and the time required for trees to mature and fully sequester carbon. Additionally, the permanence of carbon storage in natural systems can be vulnerable to disturbances like wildfires, pests, and land-use changes. Addressing these challenges, through continued research, policy support, and the development of comprehensive monitoring and verification systems, will be crucial for scaling up carbon sequestration efforts and achieving meaningful reductions in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.

Related terms

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants and stores them underground, preventing their release into the atmosphere.

Afforestation: The establishment of new forests on lands that have not been forested for a long time, increasing the amount of carbon that can be sequestered through plant growth and soil storage.

Biochar: A charcoal-like substance produced by burning organic matter in a low-oxygen environment, which can be added to soil to improve fertility and store carbon for long periods.