Question By: Carbon sequestration in nature is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is absorbed and stored in natural systems such as plants, soils, and oceans. This process plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate by reducing the amount of CO₂, a major greenhouse gas, present in the atmosphere.
One of the primary natural mechanisms for carbon sequestration is photosynthesis, where plants absorb CO₂ from the air and convert it into sugars and oxygen. This carbon is then stored in plant tissues like stems, leaves, and roots. As plants grow, they continue to capture and store carbon. When plants die, some of this carbon is transferred to the soil as organic matter through decomposition. Healthy forests, grasslands, and wetlands serve as powerful “carbon sinks” by storing vast amounts of carbon for extended periods.
Soil carbon sequestration is another essential process. Through the accumulation of organic matter, such as decaying plant material and microbial life, carbon becomes stored in the soil. Agricultural practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and crop rotation can help enhance this process, improving soil health while capturing more carbon.
The oceans also play a major role in natural carbon sequestration. Phytoplankton, microscopic marine organisms, absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis. When these organisms die, they sink to the ocean floor, effectively trapping carbon in deep-sea sediments. Additionally, CO₂ naturally dissolves in ocean water, where it can be stored in different chemical forms. Learn more https://groundworkbioag.com/
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