Question

How does soil sequester CO2 from the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Soil sequesters CO2 through photosynthesis where plants convert CO2 to organic carbon, which enters the soil upon their decay and is partly stored there. Soil management practices can enhance this carbon storage, reducing atmospheric CO2 and benefiting agricultural quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

Soil sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere through various natural processes that involve the cycling of carbon. As part of the global carbon cycle, carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere can be taken up by plants through photosynthesis. During this process, plants convert CO2 into organic carbon, which then becomes part of the plant biomass. When plants die and decompose, the carbon within their biomass can be transferred to the soil, effectively storing it as soil organic carbon. Microorganisms in the soil further break down this material, but not all is released back into the atmosphere immediately; some of it is incorporated into the soil matrix, where it can be stored for long periods.

Additionally, certain agricultural practices can enhance the capacity of soil to sequester carbon. For instance, soil-friendly tillage practices can increase soil carbon by 5-15%, offsetting a quantity of fossil-fuel carbon emissions while also improving soil quality for agriculture. These practices can help in creating additional carbon sinks, which are essential for reducing the overall atmospheric CO2 levels, a known factor in global climate change.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Soil Carbon Sequestration. Soil carbon sequestration is a process in which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil carbon pool. This process is primarily mediated by plants through photosynthesis, with carbon stored in the form of SOC.