Carbon sequestration has recently attracted global attention due to its potential in combatting climate change. The increasing investment in technology development in this field indicates the growing demand and necessity for artificial carbon sequestration techniques.
The Need for Carbon Sequestration
Global warming, accelerated by the continuous emission of greenhouse gases, necessitates the need for carbon sequestration. Estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggest that nations may need to remove between 100 billion and 1 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere this century to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. This target far surpasses what can be achieved through simple, natural methods such as tree planting.
Understanding Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration refers to the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geological formations, and the ocean. It can occur both naturally, through processes such as photosynthesis, and artificially via various human interventions.
Types of Carbon Sequestration
Terrestrial carbon sequestration occurs when trees and plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, storing it in soils and biomass. Geologic carbon sequestration involves storage of CO2 in oil reservoirs, gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, saline formations, and shale formations with high organic content. Oceanic carbon sequestration is where oceans absorb, release, and store large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Methods of Carbon Sequestration
Natural carbon sequestration achieves an atmospheric carbon balance suitable for sustaining life – expelling carbon dioxide by animals and plants, and using trees, oceans, earth, and animals themselves as carbon sinks. Artificial carbon sequestration captures carbon emissions at their production point and buries them. Proposed methods include ocean sequestration and geological sequestration, where CO2 is pumped into underground chambers.
Challenges of Artificial Carbon Sequestration
Artificial carbon sequestration faces several challenges, including lack of technology, high costs, and environmental concerns. Engineered carbon removal techniques are still in their infancy, and require further development and testing. Current technologies are costly, energy intensive, and carry the risk of environmental damage, such as ocean acidification that could result from unintended release of stored CO2.
Potential of Artificial Carbon Sequestration
Despite these challenges, artificial carbon sequestration offers several advantages. As a faster process than natural sequestration, it can complement natural methods to achieve climate change mitigation targets. It can also lead to increased productivity in agriculture and oil recovery due to stored carbon. Additionally, the growth of this emerging field can potentially generate employment opportunities.
