Carbon Sequestration

By Palak Chauhan

Article on Carbon Sequestration by Palak Chauhan. 

Assignment Submission. 

What is Carbon sequestration?

There are various definitions for carbon sequestration by different scholars, but in simple terms, it is the accumulation of carbon in plants, soil, and other natural geographic formations. It can occur naturally or because of anthropogenic activities and has an inbuilt advantage of becoming carbon dioxide gas. 

There are various concerns revolving around climate change which is a result of increasing carbon dioxide in the environment. There is also the chance of an increasing rate of carbon sequestration due to the changing landscape and the use of forestry and geoengineering techniques that lead to carbon capture and its storage. 

How do carbon sources affect carbon sequestration? 

Burning of fossil fuels repeatedly releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is also a natural phenomenon that leads to an increase in carbon dioxide which is the decomposition of plants and animals. 

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution there has been a sudden rise in the usage of fossil fuels being a greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide is very harmful as it absorbs infrared radiation emitted from the earth’s surface. 

For example, deforestation is a perfect example of a source of carbon emissions but forest regrowth is also a factor of carbon sequestration as the forests themselves serve as a platform for carbon emissions. 

Combustion caused by fire can cause the release of carbon dioxide into the environment and the amount of carbon present in the ocean exceeds the amount in the atmosphere which is 760 gigatons. 

How is Carbon sequestration impacting climate change? 

As discussed in the Kyoto Protocol by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change it allows various countries to receive credits for carbon sequestration-related activities such as land–use, land–use change, and forestry. 

There are multiple effects of carbon sequestration on the environment which include the following – 

1.     Deformation of landscapes. 

2.   It leads to the contamination of potable water. 

3.   Adverse effect on human health. 

4.     Contamination of soil makes it difficult to cultivate anything on land. 

Carbon sequestration can create a huge impact on oceans impacting marine life, soil affecting its overall productivity, forests, and lastly grasslands. 

There are other two types of carbon sequestration namely – Geological carbon sequestration and technological sequestration in geological carbon sequestration carbon is captured inside the rocks and in technological sequestration, scientists are finding a way to incorporate graphene production, direct air capture (DAC), and Engineered molecules. 

How can the Carbon sequestration scale be?

It is not an easy job to scale and measure all the carbon which is being generated daily whether it is in our households, natural formations, or the oceans. Even if we try reforesting, rewilding, or reclamation of agriculture then it will not be helpful so it will be better that we become carbon neutral and start taking some initiatives from our side too like an imitation of fewer greenhouse gasses and going eco–friendly. 

References – 

https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-carbon-sequestration

https://clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/what-carbon-sequestration

https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-sequestration

By Palak Chauhan