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PUBLISHED DATE: - 01-12-2024
PAGE NO.: - 1-6
FROM NATURE TO TECHNOLOGY: AN INSIGHT INTO
CARBON SEQUESTRATION STRATEGIES
Sachin Rawat
Department of Applied Science & Humanities, National Institute of Foundry & Forge
Technology, Hatia, Ranchi, India
INTRODUCTION
As the world confronts the growing threat of
climate change, reducing atmospheric carbon
dioxide (CO2) levels has become a critical priority
for scientists, policymakers, and industries alike.
One of the most promising approaches to combat
global warming is carbon sequestration
—
the
process of capturing and storing CO2 to prevent its
release into the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration
can be achieved through both natural processes
and advanced technological innovations. Natural
methods, such as the absorption of CO2 by forests,
soils, and oceans, have been essential in regulating
atmospheric carbon levels for millennia. However,
these natural systems alone are no longer sufficient
to meet the scale of global emission reductions
required to stabilize the climate.
In response, a variety of cutting-edge technological
solutions have emerged, aiming to capture CO2
directly from the air or from industrial processes.
Technologies like direct air capture (DAC),
bioenergy with carbon capture and storage
(BECCS), and carbon mineralization present new
opportunities to scale up sequestration efforts and
address emissions from sectors that are difficult to
decarbonize. While these technologies hold great
promise, they also face challenges in terms of cost,
energy requirements, and scalability.
This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive
overview of carbon sequestration strategies,
exploring both natural and technological methods
in depth. By examining the mechanisms, benefits,
limitations, and potential for integration of these
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Abstract
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approaches, we aim to better understand how
carbon sequestration can contribute to the global
effort to mitigate climate change and transition to a
more sustainable future. Through this exploration,
we highlight the importance of a holistic, multi-
faceted approach in tackling the climate crisis.
METHOD
Methods in Carbon Sequestration:
Carbon sequestration strategies can be broadly
categorized into natural and technological
methods, each with distinct mechanisms,
applications, and challenges. Both approaches
work synergistically to reduce the atmospheric
concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), offering
complementary solutions to climate change
mitigation. This section outlines the primary
methods used in carbon sequestration, focusing on
the natural processes that have occurred over
millennia, as well as the emerging technological
innovations that promise large-scale CO2 capture.
Natural Carbon Sequestration:
Natural carbon sequestration primarily relies on
biological processes where CO2 is absorbed and
stored in ecosystems. One of the most effective
methods is afforestation and reforestation, where
trees and plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere
during photosynthesis. Forests, particularly
tropical rainforests, are among the largest carbon
sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon in both their
biomass and the soil. In addition, soil carbon
sequestration involves practices like no-till
farming, crop rotation, and the use of cover crops,
which enhance the soil’s ability to capture and
store carbon. These methods increase soil organic
matter and promote microbial activity that locks
carbon in the soil for extended periods.
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Another critical natural process is the absorption
of CO2 by oceans, which act as significant carbon
sinks. Phytoplankton in the ocean’s surface laye
r
absorbs CO2 and, upon death, sinks to the ocean
floor, storing carbon for centuries or longer.
Marine ecosystems, such as mangroves and
seagrass meadows, also play vital roles in carbon
storage by capturing CO2 in their biomass and
sediment. However, the efficiency of these natural
processes can be influenced by climate change
itself, which affects factors like soil health, forest
ecosystems, and oceanic CO2 absorption.
Technological Carbon Sequestration:
Technological methods for carbon sequestration
have gained considerable attention as the need for
large-scale, artificial CO2 removal from the
atmosphere grows. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is one
such promising technology, which involves the use
of chemical processes to capture CO2 directly from
the ambient air. The captured CO2 is then either
stored underground or utilized in various
products, such as synthetic fuels. DAC systems have
the potential to remove large amounts of CO2 from
the atmosphere, but they currently face challenges
related to high energy consumption and costs,
making them less economically viable at scale.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage
(BECCS) is another technological approach that
combines bioenergy production with carbon
sequestration. In BECCS, biomass
—
such as plant
material or organic waste
—
is used as a fuel source
to generate energy. The CO2 emissions produced
during combustion are then captured and stored
underground. This process creates a net-negative
carbon emission scenario, as the CO2 released by
the biomass is offset by the carbon absorbed during
its growth phase. Despite its potential, BECCS also
presents challenges, including land use concerns,
the need for large-scale biomass production, and
the high costs associated with capture and storage.
A further technological innovation is carbon
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mineralization, where CO2 reacts with minerals to
form stable carbonates, effectively locking the
carbon away in solid form. This process occurs
naturally over long periods, but researchers are
working to accelerate it through enhanced
weathering techniques, where minerals are
exposed to CO2 in controlled environments.
Carbon mineralization could offer a long-term, safe
solution for storing CO2, though it requires
substantial energy input and the availability of
suitable minerals in large quantities.
Integrated Approaches:
Combining natural and technological methods
offers the potential to optimize carbon
sequestration efforts. For example, integrating DAC
with natural carbon sinks, such as forests or soils,
could create a more comprehensive approach to
carbon removal. Additionally, enhancing the
efficiency of natural systems through improved
land management practices, such as forest
restoration and sustainable agriculture, could help
maximize the benefits of technological solutions
like BECCS and DAC.
In summary, both natural and technological
methods of carbon sequestration offer valuable
contributions to addressing climate change. While
natural processes are essential in regulating
atmospheric carbon, technological innovations
have the potential to scale up sequestration efforts
and address the global CO2 emissions challenge.
Moving forward, a combination of these methods,
alongside policy and societal support, will be key to
achieving meaningful progress in mitigating the
effects of climate change.
RESULTS
The comparison of natural and technological
carbon sequestration methods reveals that both
approaches play crucial roles in mitigating climate
change, with their own unique benefits and
limitations. Natural methods, such as afforestation,
reforestation, soil carbon storage, and oceanic
absorption, are proven to be effective at capturing
carbon on a global scale. For example, forests
globally store billions of tons of CO2, and practices
like no-till agriculture and improved land
management are shown to increase soil carbon
sequestration. However, these methods are
constrained by factors like land availability, land-
use change, and vulnerability to climate impacts
such as droughts or forest fires, which can release
stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
Technological methods like Direct Air Capture
(DAC), Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage
(BECCS), and carbon mineralization offer potential
for large-scale carbon removal, but they are
currently limited by cost, energy requirements, and
scalability. DAC has demonstrated the ability to
capture atmospheric CO2, but its energy-intensive
nature and high operational costs make it less
competitive in the near term. Similarly, while
BECCS holds promise for net-negative emissions,
concerns over land competition for biomass and
the feasibility of large-scale deployment remain
challenges.
Carbon
mineralization,
while
promising, is still in the early stages of
development and requires further research to
improve efficiency and feasibility.
DISCUSSION
The results indicate that while both natural and
technological carbon sequestration methods are
essential in the global fight against climate change,
neither can provide a complete solution on its own.
Natural methods offer significant carbon
sequestration potential but are susceptible to the
impacts of climate change, deforestation, and land
degradation. The potential for large-scale carbon
sequestration using natural systems is also limited
by land use conflicts and the need for ongoing
management.
For
instance,
large-scale
afforestation could compete with agricultural land,
affecting food security. Additionally, natural
systems, while effective in storing carbon over
time, cannot match the capacity needed to
counteract the current rate of CO2 emissions.
Technological methods, on the other hand, are
more flexible and scalable, with the potential to
capture CO2 from various sources, including
industrial emissions and ambient air. However, the
high costs and energy demands of technologies like
DAC and BECCS remain major barriers.
Furthermore, concerns about the long-term
viability and safety of CO2 storage in geological
formations persist, though research continues to
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address these issues. Carbon mineralization is a
promising technology that could provide a more
permanent solution, but it is still in the
experimental phase and requires further
advancements in both efficiency and cost-
effectiveness.
The integration of natural and technological
approaches could provide a more robust solution
to carbon sequestration. For example, pairing DAC
with afforestation or soil carbon practices might
enhance the overall carbon removal capacity while
minimizing land use conflicts. Moreover,
leveraging technological advances to optimize
natural carbon sequestration processes
—
such as
improving soil carbon storage techniques or
enhancing forest regeneration
—
could further
increase the effectiveness of these methods.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, carbon sequestration is a pivotal
strategy in mitigating the effects of climate change.
While natural processes such as forest growth, soil
carbon storage, and oceanic absorption have long
been essential for regulating atmospheric CO2
levels,
technological
advancements
are
increasingly seen as necessary to meet the scale of
carbon removal required to stabilize global
temperatures. However, each method
—
whether
natural or technological
—
has its own challenges,
such as land use limitations, costs, energy
demands, and scalability.
The most effective strategy moving forward will
likely be one that combines both natural and
technological methods in a complementary,
integrated approach. By optimizing the strengths
of each strategy while addressing their respective
challenges, it is possible to develop a diverse
portfolio of solutions for carbon removal. To
achieve global climate goals, it is essential that
governments, industries, and research institutions
continue to invest in both advancing these
technologies and supporting natural systems. In
doing so, carbon sequestration could play a crucial
role in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, helping to
slow the progress of climate change and ensuring a
sustainable future for the planet.
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