A carbon sink is a natural or artificial system that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. These systems help mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the overall concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Natural carbon sinks include:
- Forests: Trees and plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, storing carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, leaves, and roots) and in the soil.
- Oceans: Oceans absorb a significant amount of CO2 from the atmosphere. Phytoplankton, marine plants, and coral contribute to this process through photosynthesis and calcification.
- Wetlands: These ecosystems store carbon in plant biomass and sediments, making them effective carbon sinks.
Artificial or engineered carbon sinks can include:
- Afforestation and reforestation projects: Planting trees in deforested areas or creating new forests.
- Soil management practices: Techniques that increase soil carbon storage, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage.
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS): Technologies designed to capture CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial sources and store it underground.
Overall, carbon sinks play a crucial role in balancing the Earth's carbon cycle and are essential for efforts to combat climate change.