Several carbon sequestration methods are used to mitigate climate change, each with its own technology and specific challenges.
The Carbon Capture and Storage method involves the separation and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in underground geological formations, either by injecting the CO2 into rock cavities or by chemical mechanisms that bind it to other substances in the soil. This requires advanced technology and specific infrastructure for safe underground storage.
Direct Air Capture uses high-tech plants to remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere, but faces high energy and financial costs.
Engineered Molecules act as filters to selectively capture CO2 from the air, but are still in the early stages of development and practical application.
Complex solutions face uncertainties, requiring more research and investment for effective implementation. However, it is crucial to prioritize social and environmental security, regardless of the methodology chosen.
Natural carbon sequestration methods, both terrestrial and oceanic, absorb about 60% of carbon emissions, but their capacity is insufficient to offset projected anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
About 30% of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion are absorbed by the upper ocean. However, rising CO2 levels are projected to cause ocean acidification by 2100, damaging marine ecosystems.
Soil stores carbon in the form of carbonates, long-lived inorganic compounds, and research is underway to increase their formation and improve carbon sequestration capabilities.
Wetlands and ponds are also significant carbon sinks due to reduced decomposition in waterlogged soils, but pollution harms the health of ecosystems by decreasing their carbon sequestration capacity. Plants, especially forests, are essential for carbon sequestration through photosynthesis, but extreme weather events such as droughts and wildfires increase CO2 release. Grasslands and pastures, which store carbon mainly below ground, are more resilient to extreme events. Assessing changes in carbon stocks due to land management is challenging due to the time required and the difficulties of measurement, as these changes occur over decades. Conserving and restoring these natural sinks, together with sustainable forest and crop management practices, are crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change. References PRAJAPATI, Sunil Kumar et al. Carbon Sequestration: A Key Strategy for Climate Change Mitigation towards a Sustainable Future. 2023. ROY, Poritosh; MOHANTY, Amar K.; MISRA, Manjusri. Prospects of carbon capture, utilization and storage for mitigating climate change. Environmental Science: Advances, v. 2, n. 3, p. 409-423, 2023.
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