Carbon sequestration is the natural or artificial process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to prevent it from contributing to global warming. It involves stabilizing carbon in solid or dissolved forms within soils, vegetation, oceans, or geological formations, thereby acting as a critical method for climate change mitigation. Organisms or landscapes that store carbon, such as forests, grasslands, or oceans, are called carbon sinks, while those that release carbon are carbon sources. Soils store carbon both as inorganic forms (e.g., calcium carbonate) and as organic matter (humus), and depending on land management, soils can function as either sources or sinks of atmospheric carbon. Biological carbon sequestration occurs through photosynthesis in plants, which convert CO2 into biomass and transfer some carbon into the soil as organic carbon. Additionally, oceans absorb CO2 as dissolved gas and form carbonate sediments. Geological sequestration stores captured CO2 from industrial sources by injecting it into underground porous rock formations for long-term storage. Managing natural sinks like forests and soils, alongside technological measures such as carbon capture and storage, is essential for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigating climate change impacts.
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