Carbon Sequestration

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option a

Explanation
Carbon sequestration refers to the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) to mitigate climate change. This process can occur naturally or be facilitated through human interventions.
Natural Carbon Sequestration:

● Biological Sequestration: Plants, especially forests and oceanic vegetation like kelp, absorb CO2 during photosynthesis, incorporating it into their biomass. Soil also acts as a carbon sink, storing organic carbon.

● Oceanic Sequestration: The world's oceans absorb a significant portion of atmospheric CO2, where it reacts with water to form carbonic acid, contributing to the ocean's role as a major carbon sink.
Human-Enhanced Carbon Sequestration:

● Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting new forests and restoring degraded ones enhance the natural uptake of CO2.

● Soil Management: Practices like reduced tillage and cover cropping increase soil organic carbon, enhancing soil carbon sequestration.

● Biochar Application: Incorporating biochar, a form of charcoal produced from plant matter into soil can sequester carbon and improve soil health.

● Direct Air Capture and Storage: Technological methods capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere and store it underground or in other stable forms.

Statement 1 is correct: Regenerative agricultural practices, such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, can enhance soil carbon sequestration by increasing soil organic carbon content.

Statement 2 is correct: Applying biochar to soil can improve carbon sequestration by stabilizing carbon and enhancing soil properties.

Statement 3 is not correct: Recent research indicates that allowing trees to naturally colonize heather moorlands with carbon-rich soils does not lead to significant net carbon capture benefits, as the carbon stored in the trees does not surpass the carbon lost from the soil.