A carbon sink is any type of reservoir that contains a carbon-containing element. Carbon sinks are often used to keep carbon emissions out of the atmosphere. A carbon sink can be a natural or man-made building.
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Natural carbon sink sites include oceans, which naturally contain carbon dioxide, and expanses of vegetation that consume carbon dioxide. Man-made carbon sinks include landfills and other specialized repositories for carbon materials. Public authorities are now looking at both types of carbon sinks as ways to limit carbon emissions.
The recent Kyoto Protocol, ratified by almost all the nations of the world, considers the containment of carbon dioxide a priority. Those looking to implement practical reductions in carbon emissions are investigating the use of carbon dioxide sinks as a possible solution. In examining the role of the oceans, it became clear that the carbon sequestration potential of these natural carbon sinks is the most important global factor in controlling carbon elements.
Carbon monitoring experts are also finding significant value in increasing vegetation on the Earth’s surface. Forest carbon sinks consume carbon dioxide in large quantities and provide organic raw materials that the human population consumes every day. To support natural carbon sink areas, experts continue to explore the possibility of increasing the world’s carbon monitoring or ‘sequestration’ capacity with man-made carbon sinks.
A large part of evaluating how effective landfills can be as carbon sinks is studying how much carbon contained in consumables is released into the atmosphere between the time of manufacture and eventual addition to a landfill. Theoretically, non-carbon releasing items would be carbon neutral in a landfill, but critics argue this is not the case.
In Europe and other nations that have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, carbon reduction issues affect the types of materials that can be landfilled. In the United States, where the Kyoto Protocol does not govern municipal procedures, the main problems with landfills are toxicity, practical containment of heavy metals, and other public health concerns. All over the world, people involved in the analysis of carbon emissions and climate change are trying to identify practical strategies to reduce humanity’s total carbon footprint.
Government officials in many countries can expect to hear more frequently from scientists about more practical ways to use carbon sink options for carbon dioxide sequestration in the future. Carbon sinks are just one tool in an allergen arsenal that includes many carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas control elements. Legislative efforts like the US cap-and-trade proposal work to increase the world’s ability to limit carbon emissions.