What is the definition for carbon sources and carbon sinks and what are some examples of them?

Question

Peyton Budinger · Accepted Answer

Carbon Sources are things that release #CO_2# into the atmosphere and Carbon Sinks are things that take #CO_2# out of the atmosphere via absorption and/or consumption in chemical reactions.

Cities, wildfires, and volcanoes are examples of carbon sources; forests, photosynthesising bacteria, and bodies of water are examples of carbon sinks.

Ivy Ackerman · Answer

undefined Carbon sources are reservoirs or processes that release carbon dioxide (CO2) or other carbon compounds into the atmosphere. Examples include:

1. Combustion of fossil fuels: Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy releases CO2 into the atmosphere.
2. Deforestation: Clearing forests for agriculture or development releases CO2 stored in trees and soil.
3. Industrial processes: Manufacturing and industrial activities release CO2 as a byproduct.
4. Respiration: Both human and animal respiration release CO2 as a byproduct of metabolism.

Carbon sinks are reservoirs or processes that absorb more carbon than they release, thereby reducing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. Examples include:

1. Forests: Trees and other vegetation absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and store it as biomass.
2. Oceans: The oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, where it dissolves and is stored as bicarbonate ions.
3. Soil: Soil can act as a carbon sink by storing organic carbon from decaying plant and animal matter.
4. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies: These technologies capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes and store them underground to prevent their release into the atmosphere.