Where Does Carbon Go?
Understanding the natural processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere
Your Progress
Section 3 of 5Carbon Sinks: Nature's Carbon Removers
Carbon sinks are processes and reservoirs that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. They act like Earth's lungs, absorbing excess carbon and helping maintain the balance of the carbon cycle. However, human activities are weakening these sinks, reducing their capacity to absorb CO₂.
Natural Sinks
Processes that naturally remove CO₂ from the atmosphere
- • Ocean absorption
- • Forest photosynthesis
- • Soil carbon storage
- • Rock weathering
Human Impacts
Activities that reduce sink capacity
- • Deforestation
- • Ocean acidification
- • Land use changes
- • Agricultural practices
Interactive Sink Capacity Visualization
Human Impact on Carbon Sinks
Impact Level50%
Pre-industrialCurrentExtreme
Ocean Absorption
Capacity:90 Gt C/year
Current:85 Gt C/year
47% of original capacity
Forest Growth
Capacity:60 Gt C/year
Current:45 Gt C/year
38% of original capacity
Soil Carbon
Capacity:60 Gt C/year
Current:55 Gt C/year
46% of original capacity
Rock Weathering
Capacity:0.2 Gt C/year
Current:0.2 Gt C/year
50% of original capacity
Sink Capacity Summary
210 Gt C/year
Original Capacity
105 Gt C/year
Current Capacity
5 Gt C/year
Annual Deficit
50%
Capacity Loss
The Critical Imbalance
Human activities add ~10 Gt C/year to the atmosphere while weakened sinks can only absorb ~8 Gt C/year, creating a 2 Gt C/year accumulation that drives climate change.