The Human Disruption of Carbon Sinks

Fossil Fuels are Disrupting Earth’s Carbon Sinks

Carbon sinks are natural or artificial reservoirs that absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, thus helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

These sinks play a vital role in the carbon cycle by removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it for various periods. There are several types of carbon sinks, including:

Forests, Plants, Grasses

Absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and store carbon in trees, shrubs, and soil.
Help regulate climate by maintaining humidity and producing oxygen.
Loss of forests due to deforestation and forest degradation reduces carbon storage capacity and releases stored carbon, contributing to increased atmospheric CO2 levels.

Earth Soil

Stores organic carbon from dead plant and animal matter.
Enhances fertility and supports agriculture and ecosystems.
Soil erosion, over-cultivation, and certain agricultural practices can decrease soil organic carbon, leading to CO2 release and reduced soil quality

Oceans, Lakes & Rivers

Absorb about a quarter of human-emitted CO2, reducing the rate of climate change.
Support marine life through carbon supply for photosynthetic organisms like phytoplankton.
Excess CO2 absorption leads to ocean acidification, which can harm coral reefs, shellfish, and other marine organisms, potentially disrupting marine ecosystems and the ocean’s ability to act as a carbon sink.

Wetlands

Store carbon in waterlogged soils and vegetation, which decompose slowly due to low oxygen levels.
Provide critical habitats for diverse species and protect against flooding.
Drainage, conversion to agriculture, and climate change threaten wetlands, leading to the release of their stored carbon and loss of biodiversity and protective functions.

Geological Storage

Carbon can be stored underground in geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers, through a process known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) or carbon capture and sequestration.
This method is an artificial means of reducing CO2 emissions.