Summary
Long-term storage of carbon in forests, soils, oceans or geological formations.
In depth
Biological: forests, soils, wetlands and oceans. Geological: carbon capture and storage in saline aquifers. Permanence and verification matter. Reducing emissions is more effective than offsets alone.
Soil carbon can be increased by cover crops and reduced tillage. Afforestation must consider biodiversity and permanence. Direct air capture is expensive.
Key idea: removing carbon complements but does not replace cutting emissions.
Carbon sequestration captures and stores carbon dioxide to keep it out of the atmosphere. Biological methods include protecting and restoring forests, wetlands, grasslands and soils, and blue carbon habitats; technological methods include direct air capture and carbon capture and storage (CCS), injecting CO2 into deep geological formations.
Natural stores can be released again by fire, drought or land use change, so permanence is a concern. Technological options are costly and energy-demanding but can capture emissions from industry. Sequestration complements, not replaces, emissions reductions.
Example: Norway's Sleipner field has injected CO2 into a saline aquifer since 1996.
Frequently asked questions
What is Carbon Sequestration?
Long-term storage of carbon in forests, soils, oceans or geological formations.
Which area of biology covers Carbon Sequestration, and how advanced is it?
Carbon Sequestration is one of the 54 topics in Marine & Environmental Biology. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Blue Carbon, Deforestation, Sustainable Agriculture.
Why does Carbon Sequestration matter?
Net zero requires removing leftover emissions.
Can you give an example of Carbon Sequestration?
Peatlands store about twice as much carbon as the world's forests.
What should I learn before Carbon Sequestration?
Work through the Beginner topics in Marine & Environmental Biology first, such as Oceans, Ocean Zones, Plankton, then return to Carbon Sequestration. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Carbon Sequestration?
The closest topics to Carbon Sequestration are Blue Carbon, Deforestation, Sustainable Agriculture, Permafrost and Methane. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Carbon Sequestration?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Carbon Sequestration. To practise the whole of Marine & Environmental Biology, use the Marine & Environmental Biology quiz.
How is Carbon Sequestration different from Blue Carbon?
Carbon Sequestration: Long-term storage of carbon in forests, soils, oceans or geological formations. Blue Carbon: Carbon stored in coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Carbon Sequestration step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Blue Carbon and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Marine & Environmental Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.