[GRRN] Global CO2 sinks -Reply

Ryan DeWald (rmdewald@students.wisc.edu)
Mon, 22 Nov 1999 13:29:49 -0600


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It is important to note that, globally, the World's oceans sequester the
greatest volumes of atmospheric CO2. I don't know what the most recent models
have predicted regarding the oceans' capacity to increase sequestration as
atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase, but I do recall learning that it may
be possible for oceanic sequestration to outstrip CO2 releases, if
human-related releases can be minimized.

(The oceanic sink is thanks primarily to our good friends the blue-green alagae
and other phytoplankton)

Thus, while biomass energy production may still result in less CO2 sequestered
in the cropped fields, its release will be at least somewhat mitigated by the
CO2 that is bound during the growing season (unlike fossil fuel combustion).
If the margin between that CO2 which is released during biomass use and that
which is sequestered by other ecosystems (namely the oceans) is a favorable
one, then, inasmuch as we are able to grow sustainable-yield bio-crops, we can
REDUCE atmospheric CO2 concentration. Allbeit at the cost of huge tracts of
land being tied up in fuel production.

Ryan DeWald

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It is important to note that, globally, the World's oceans sequester the greatest volumes of atmospheric CO2.  I don't know what the most recent models have predicted regarding the oceans' capacity to increase sequestration as atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase, but I do recall learning that it may be possible for oceanic sequestration to outstrip CO2 releases, if human-related releases can be minimized.

(The oceanic sink is thanks primarily to our good friends the blue-green alagae and other phytoplankton)

Thus, while biomass energy production may still result in less CO2 sequestered in the cropped fields, its release will be at least somewhat mitigated by the CO2 that is bound during the growing season (unlike fossil fuel combustion).  If the margin between that CO2 which is released during biomass use and that which is sequestered by other ecosystems (namely the oceans) is a favorable one, then, inasmuch as we are able to grow sustainable-yield bio-crops, we can REDUCE atmospheric CO2 concentration.  Allbeit at the cost of huge tracts of land being tied up in fuel production.

Ryan DeWald

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