Carbon sink - Revision history

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energy>Jmdonev at 23:16, 18 February 2020

2020-02-18T23:16:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:16, 18 February 2020
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	[[Category:Done ~~2018~~-12-~~10]]~~		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	~~[[Category: Ashley edit~~]]
	[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref> The ocean takes in 92 Gt/year and gives off about 90 Gt/year making the ocean a net carbon sink. See [[carbon cycle]] for more detail.]]		[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref> The ocean takes in 92 Gt/year and gives off about 90 Gt/year making the ocean a net carbon sink. See [[carbon cycle]] for more detail.]]
	<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]. Carbon sources cause [[climate change\| negative impacts to the earth]] as they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.		<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]. Carbon sources cause [[climate change\| negative impacts to the earth]] as they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.
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	==For Further Reading==		==For Further Reading==
	*[[~~Gas~~]]		*[[Carbon cycle]]
	*[[~~Hydrocarbon combustion~~]]		*[[Carbon pool]]
	*[[Greenhouse gas]]		*[[Greenhouse gas]]
	*[[Greenhouse effect]]		*[[Greenhouse effect]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2019-01-04T18:15:01Z

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2dev>Ashley.Sheardown at 19:06, 19 December 2018

2018-12-19T19:06:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:06, 19 December 2018
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	[[Category:Done ~~2016~~-04-30]]		[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]
			[[Category: Ashley edit]]
	[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref> The ocean takes in 92 Gt/year and gives off about 90 Gt/year making the ocean a net carbon sink. See [[carbon cycle]] for more detail.]]		[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref> The ocean takes in 92 Gt/year and gives off about 90 Gt/year making the ocean a net carbon sink. See [[carbon cycle]] for more detail.]]
	<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]. Carbon sources cause [[climate change\| negative impacts to the earth]] as they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.		<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]. Carbon sources cause [[climate change\| negative impacts to the earth]] as they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.
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	Many simply assume that trees and other plant life solely act to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however this isn't the entire story. The quick answer to "are forests carbon sinks?" is '''it depends'''. A better term for trees and other plants is to categorize them as [[carbon pool\| carbon pools]] - these are reservoirs of carbon that have the capacity to both take in ''and'' release carbon.<ref name=fao>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ''Forests and Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac836e/AC836E03.htm</ref>		Many simply assume that trees and other plant life solely act to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however this isn't the entire story. The quick answer to "are forests carbon sinks?" is '''it depends'''. A better term for trees and other plants is to categorize them as [[carbon pool\| carbon pools]] - these are reservoirs of carbon that have the capacity to both take in ''and'' release carbon.<ref name=fao>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ''Forests and Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac836e/AC836E03.htm</ref>

	Plants take in carbon dioxide in the process of [[photosynthesis]], making them carbon sinks in this context since this removes CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere, however they also emit carbon dioxide through respiration, decomposition and [[combustion]] (when they are burned), making them a source as well.<ref name=fao/> The cycling of carbon in this pool is generally balanced, however there is a way to ''temporarily'' tip this balance. When plants expand their area, for example when trees are planted, the new trees take in more carbon than they output, resulting in more carbon being taken from the atmosphere. This only works on a relatively small ~~timescale~~ of around 50 years, since as trees grow older the balance of intake and output is restored.		Plants take in carbon dioxide in the process of [[photosynthesis]], making them carbon sinks in this context since this removes CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere, however they also emit carbon dioxide through respiration, decomposition and [[combustion]] (when they are burned), making them a source as well.<ref name=fao/> The cycling of carbon in this pool is generally balanced, however there is a way to ''temporarily'' tip this balance. When plants expand their area, for example when trees are planted, the new trees take in more carbon than they output, resulting in more carbon being taken from the atmosphere. This only works on a relatively small time scale of around 50 years, since as trees grow older the balance of intake and output is restored.

	The idea of planting trees is therefore by no means a solution to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels, yet it is still often a good thing to do. Moreover, protecting existing forests is crucial, and climate specialists consider this as the "best strategy for sink maintenance", with reasoning that forests and their soil act as excellent carbon storage areas, as well as preserving the [[biodiversity]] associated with their existence.<ref name=fao/>		The idea of planting trees is therefore by no means a solution to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels, yet it is still often a good thing to do. Moreover, protecting existing forests is crucial, and climate specialists consider this as the "best strategy for sink maintenance", with reasoning that forests and their soil act as excellent carbon storage areas, as well as preserving the [[biodiversity]] associated with their existence.<ref name=fao/>

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Gas]]
			*[[Hydrocarbon combustion]]
			*[[Greenhouse gas]]
			*[[Greenhouse effect]]
			*[[Carbon capture and storage]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported: From the summer

2016-09-17T22:30:00Z

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Jmdonev at 20:50, 17 September 2016

2016-09-17T20:50:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:50, 17 September 2016
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	[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]		[[Category:Done 2016-04-30]]
	[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref>]]		[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref> The ocean takes in 92 Gt/year and gives off about 90 Gt/year making the ocean a net carbon sink. See [[carbon cycle]] for more detail.]]
	<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]~~, which are concerning since~~ they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.		<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]]. Carbon sources cause [[climate change\| negative impacts to the earth]] as they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.

	Carbon sinks are a vital part of the [[carbon cycle]], as they regulate the carbon in the atmosphere via processes like [[photosynthesis]] or absorption through [[pressure]] differences.<ref name=cc>M. Melieres and C. Marechal, "The Impact of Warming on the Ocean," in ''Climate Change: Past, Present and Future'' 1st ed., U.K.: Wiley, 2015, ch.27, pp.273</ref></onlyinclude>		Carbon sinks are a vital part of the [[carbon cycle]], as they regulate the carbon in the atmosphere via processes like [[photosynthesis]] or absorption through [[pressure]] differences.<ref name=cc>M. Melieres and C. Marechal, "The Impact of Warming on the Ocean," in ''Climate Change: Past, Present and Future'' 1st ed., U.K.: Wiley, 2015, ch.27, pp.273</ref></onlyinclude>

	The Earth's largest carbon sinks are ~~natural~~, that being the [[ocean]]s, soil and plant life. There are also artificial carbon sinks, including [[carbon capture and storage]] methods and landfills.<Ref>EPA. (Accessed October 31, 2015). ''Landfill Carbon Storage in EPA’s Waste Reduction Model'' [Online], Available: http://www3.epa.gov/warm/pdfs/landfill-carbon-storage-in-warm10-28-10.pdf</ref>		The Earth's largest carbon sinks are naturally occurring, that being the [[ocean\| ocean's]], soil and plant life. There are also artificial carbon sinks, including [[carbon capture and storage]] methods and landfills.<Ref>EPA. (Accessed October 31, 2015). ''Landfill Carbon Storage in EPA’s Waste Reduction Model'' [Online], Available: http://www3.epa.gov/warm/pdfs/landfill-carbon-storage-in-warm10-28-10.pdf</ref>

	==Ocean Sink and Acidification==		==Ocean Sink and Acidification==
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	Measurements over recent years have indicated an increase of carbon dioxide in the surface layers of the oceans by 1.6-1.9 [[ppm]] per year, which is in accordance with the atmospheric increase of 1.5-1.9 ppm/year.<ref name=cc/>		Measurements over recent years have indicated an increase of carbon dioxide in the surface layers of the oceans by 1.6-1.9 [[ppm]] per year, which is in accordance with the atmospheric increase of 1.5-1.9 ppm/year.<ref name=cc/>

	Although the ocean takes out carbon from the atmosphere that would otherwise contribute to [[global warming]], there are adverse effects ~~because of~~ this. Increased dissolved carbon dioxide levels raise the [[acid]]ity of the water, and this is known as '''[[ocean acidification]]'''. The average [[pH]] of the ocean has already decreased by around 0.1 since the industrial era (decrease in pH means more acidity), which ~~affects~~ many organisms in ~~negative ways~~.		Although the ocean takes out carbon from the atmosphere that would otherwise contribute to [[global warming]], there are adverse effects due to this process. Increased dissolved carbon dioxide levels raise the [[acid]]ity of the water, and this is known as '''[[ocean acidification]]'''. The average [[pH]] of the ocean has already decreased by around 0.1 since the industrial era (decrease in pH means more acidity), which is and continues to affect many organisms in negatively.

	==Are forests carbon sinks?==		==Are forests carbon sinks?==
	[[File:forest.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|Figure 2. Forests are carbon pools; they can both accumulate and release carbon.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Podlaskie_-_Czarna_Bia%C5%82ostocka_-_Puszcza_Knyszy%C5%84ska_-_G%C3%B3ry_Czuma%C5%BCowskie_-_E_-_v-NW.JPG</ref>]]		[[File:forest.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|Figure 2. Forests are carbon pools; they can both accumulate and release carbon.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Podlaskie_-_Czarna_Bia%C5%82ostocka_-_Puszcza_Knyszy%C5%84ska_-_G%C3%B3ry_Czuma%C5%BCowskie_-_E_-_v-NW.JPG</ref>]]
	Many simply assume that trees and other plant life solely act to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however this isn't the entire story. The quick answer to "are forests carbon sinks?" is '''it depends'''. A better term for trees and other plants is to categorize them as [[carbon pool]]s - these are reservoirs of carbon that have the capacity to both take in ''and'' release carbon.<ref name=fao>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ''Forests and Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac836e/AC836E03.htm</ref>		Many simply assume that trees and other plant life solely act to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however this isn't the entire story. The quick answer to "are forests carbon sinks?" is '''it depends'''. A better term for trees and other plants is to categorize them as [[carbon pool\| carbon pools]] - these are reservoirs of carbon that have the capacity to both take in ''and'' release carbon.<ref name=fao>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ''Forests and Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac836e/AC836E03.htm</ref>

	Plants take in carbon dioxide in the process of [[photosynthesis]], making them carbon sinks in this context since this removes CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere, however they also emit carbon dioxide through respiration, decomposition and [[combustion]] (when they are burned), making them a source as well.<ref name=fao/> The cycling of carbon in this pool is generally balanced, however there is a way to ''temporarily'' tip this balance. When plants expand their area, for example when trees are planted, the new trees take in more carbon than they output, resulting in more carbon being taken from the atmosphere. This only works on a relatively small timescale of around 50 years, since as trees grow older the balance of intake and output is restored.		Plants take in carbon dioxide in the process of [[photosynthesis]], making them carbon sinks in this context since this removes CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere, however they also emit carbon dioxide through respiration, decomposition and [[combustion]] (when they are burned), making them a source as well.<ref name=fao/> The cycling of carbon in this pool is generally balanced, however there is a way to ''temporarily'' tip this balance. When plants expand their area, for example when trees are planted, the new trees take in more carbon than they output, resulting in more carbon being taken from the atmosphere. This only works on a relatively small timescale of around 50 years, since as trees grow older the balance of intake and output is restored.

	The idea of planting trees is therefore by no means a solution to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels, yet it is still a good ~~option~~. Moreover, protecting existing forests is crucial, and climate specialists consider this as the "best strategy for sink maintenance", with reasoning that forests and their soil act as excellent carbon storage areas, as well as preserving the [[biodiversity]] associated with their existence.<ref name=fao/>		The idea of planting trees is therefore by no means a solution to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels, yet it is still often a good thing to do. Moreover, protecting existing forests is crucial, and climate specialists consider this as the "best strategy for sink maintenance", with reasoning that forests and their soil act as excellent carbon storage areas, as well as preserving the [[biodiversity]] associated with their existence.<ref name=fao/>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
			[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2016-02-18T04:31:14Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 20:08, 28 December 2015

2015-12-28T20:08:42Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2016-01-15]]
[[File:Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg|300px|thumb|Figure 1. The ocean is one of Earth's natural carbon sinks, taking in carbon dioxide and other forms of carbon from the atmosphere.<Ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/Clouds_over_the_Atlantic_Ocean.jpg</ref>]]
<onlyinclude>A '''carbon sink''' is a land or ocean [[mass]] that can take in [[carbon]] - most notably [[carbon dioxide]] - from the [[atmosphere]]. It is the opposite of a carbon ''source'', which acts to emit carbon into the atmosphere, such as a [[motor vehicle]] or a [[coal-fired power plant]], which are concerning since they emit carbon from below the Earth's surface that would otherwise not enter the atmosphere.

Carbon sinks are a vital part of the [[carbon cycle]], as they regulate the carbon in the atmosphere via processes like [[photosynthesis]] or absorption through [[pressure]] differences.<ref name=cc>M. Melieres and C. Marechal, "The Impact of Warming on the Ocean," in ''Climate Change: Past, Present and Future'' 1st ed., U.K.: Wiley, 2015, ch.27, pp.273</ref></onlyinclude>

The Earth's largest carbon sinks are natural, that being the [[ocean]]s, soil and plant life. There are also artificial carbon sinks, including [[carbon capture and storage]] methods and landfills.<Ref>EPA. (Accessed October 31, 2015). ''Landfill Carbon Storage in EPA’s Waste Reduction Model'' [Online], Available: http://www3.epa.gov/warm/pdfs/landfill-carbon-storage-in-warm10-28-10.pdf</ref>

==Ocean Sink and Acidification==
:''[[ocean acidification|main article]]''

The ocean is a tremendous carbon sink that makes use of pressure differences between its gas contents and that of the atmosphere. Particles are exchanged through this pressure difference until equilibrium is reached between the two systems. As carbon dioxide levels increase in the atmosphere, as they have been, the ocean and atmosphere must re-equilibrate. This has increased carbon dioxide levels in the ocean's surface layers.<ref name=cc/>

Measurements over recent years have indicated an increase of carbon dioxide in the surface layers of the oceans by 1.6-1.9 [[ppm]] per year, which is in accordance with the atmospheric increase of 1.5-1.9 ppm/year.<ref name=cc/>

Although the ocean takes out carbon from the atmosphere that would otherwise contribute to [[global warming]], there are adverse effects because of this. Increased dissolved carbon dioxide levels raise the [[acid]]ity of the water, and this is known as '''[[ocean acidification]]'''. The average [[pH]] of the ocean has already decreased by around 0.1 since the industrial era (decrease in pH means more acidity), which affects many organisms in negative ways.

==Are forests carbon sinks?==
[[File:forest.jpg|250px|thumb|Figure 2. Forests are carbon pools; they can both accumulate and release carbon.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Podlaskie_-_Czarna_Bia%C5%82ostocka_-_Puszcza_Knyszy%C5%84ska_-_G%C3%B3ry_Czuma%C5%BCowskie_-_E_-_v-NW.JPG</ref>]]
Many simply assume that trees and other plant life solely act to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, however this isn't the entire story. The quick answer to "are forests carbon sinks?" is '''it depends'''. A better term for trees and other plants is to categorize them as [[carbon pool]]s - these are reservoirs of carbon that have the capacity to both take in ''and'' release carbon.<ref name=fao>Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ''Forests and Climate Change'' [Online], Available: http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac836e/AC836E03.htm</ref>

Plants take in carbon dioxide in the process of [[photosynthesis]], making them carbon sinks in this context since this removes CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere, however they also emit carbon dioxide through respiration, decomposition and [[combustion]] (when they are burned), making them a source as well.<ref name=fao/> The cycling of carbon in this pool is generally balanced, however there is a way to ''temporarily'' tip this balance. When plants expand their area, for example when trees are planted, the new trees take in more carbon than they output, resulting in more carbon being taken from the atmosphere. This only works on a relatively small timescale of around 50 years, since as trees grow older the balance of intake and output is restored.

The idea of planting trees is therefore by no means a solution to increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels, yet it is still a good option. Moreover, protecting existing forests is crucial, and climate specialists consider this as the "best strategy for sink maintenance", with reasoning that forests and their soil act as excellent carbon storage areas, as well as preserving the [[biodiversity]] associated with their existence.<ref name=fao/>

==References==
{{reflist}}