Carbon Sequestration

What is it?

• The process of capturing and storing carbon.

• Reduces the greenhouse effect as $CO_2$ is removed.

• Can be part of the solution to decarbonise economies.

• Can help to mitigate climate change.

Biological

The storage of carbon dioxide in:

• Forests act as a carbon sink by capturing $CO_2$ and through photosynthesis, turn it into biomass such as leaves - Increased via afforestation.

• Oceans absorb, release and store large amounts of $CO_2$, especially cold parts. Potential to enhance this natural sink is being researched e.g. injecting $CO_2$ at depth or fertilising the oceans with microalgal nutrients.

• Soils or plant material can capture and store $CO_2$. Carbon is good for soils as it increases water-holding capacity and productivity.

• Bogs can be changed from carbon sources to carbon sinks by rewetting peatlands.

Geological

The long term storage of carbon in rocks:

• $CO_2$ is pumped deep underground via pipelines and is stored in rock pore spaces of sealed geological formations.

• Common geological sequestration methods include the use of coal seams, deep saline reservoirs, depleted oil and gas field and mineralisation.