Carbon Sinks In the Oceans Analysis Essay -- greenhouse gas, carbon dio

Carbon sinks are found when there is a collection of carbon dioxide within a reservoir. Both, the terrestrial and aquatic systems, can act as natural carbon sinks, as can the atmosphere, where the collections of carbon dioxide as well as carbon dioxide emissions are high. The efficiency of these sinks has been declining since the 1990’s (Canadell et al. 2007). Approximately, 50% of carbon dioxide emissions are collected in the terrestrial and oceanic sinks (Ritschard 1992), which are detrimental to the ecosystem. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have been significantly small compared to the anthropogenic emissions when it comes to substantiality (Canadell et al. 2007). This is because the natural carbon sinks of the ocean remove some of the anthropogenic carbon dioxide (Canadell et al. 2007). Although the exact amount of carbon stored in these sinks cannot be determined due to lack of research, scientists do know that coastal ecosystems (or intertidal zones) are the most inte nse carbon sinks around (Vierros 2013). It is well known that carbon dioxide is a radioactive gas (Edmonds 1992). Carbon dioxide as well as the other radioactive gases such as ozone and water vapor, (Edmonds 1992) are the gases that become trapped in the atmosphere and are commonly referred to as greenhouse gases. There is approximately a 0.4% increase of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere a year (Ritschard 1992). Carbon has been collecting in the oceans for many years. Because of the addition of human activity, much of the carbon dioxide that enters into oceanic and other aquatic systems comes from the terrestrial systems (Oswood et al. 1996). These sources include but are not limited to eroding peat, inorganic carbon, runoff and soil dissolved ... ...O2 growth from economic activity, carbon intensity and efficiency of natural sinks. PNAS. V104(47): 18866-18870 2) Chung, I.K., Beardall, J., Mehta, S., Sahoo, D., and Stojkovic, S. 2011. Using marine macroalgae for carbon sequestration: a critical appraisal. J. Applied Phycology V23(5):877-886 3) Edmonds, J. 1992. Why understanding the natural sinks and sources of CO2 is important: A policy analysis perspective. Water, Air and Soil Pollution V64:11-21 4) Orr, J.C., and Sarmiento, J.L. 1992. Potential of Marine Macroalgae as a Sink for CO2: Constraints for a 3-D General Circulation Model of the Global Ocean. Water, Air and Soil Pollution V64:405-421 5) Oswood, M.W., Irons III, J.G., and Schell, D.M. 1996 Dynamics of Dissolved and Particulate Carbon in an Arctic Stream. Landscape Function and Disturbance in the Arctic Tundra. Ecological Studies. V120:275-289