What term refers to a natural environment that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide than it releases?

What term refers to a natural environment that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide than it releases?

• A. Carbon Sink
• B. Carbon Cycle
• C. Soil
• D. Desert Pavement

Answer: (A)

Net uptake of atmospheric CO2 by an environment is called a carbon sink. This term describes a natural system that removes more CO2 than it releases, with processes like photosynthesis drawing carbon into biomass and soils, and oceans storing carbon in dissolved form or sediments. The broader idea of the carbon cycle covers all the movements of carbon among air, water, and living things, not a single place that net-accumulates carbon. Soil can store carbon, but it’s the net uptake by the system that defines a sink, whereas desert pavement isn’t a significant carbon reservoir.

Net uptake of atmospheric CO2 by an environment is called a carbon sink. This term describes a natural system that removes more CO2 than it releases, with processes like photosynthesis drawing carbon into biomass and soils, and oceans storing carbon in dissolved form or sediments. The broader idea of the carbon cycle covers all the movements of carbon among air, water, and living things, not a single place that net-accumulates carbon. Soil can store carbon, but it’s the net uptake by the system that defines a sink, whereas desert pavement isn’t a significant carbon reservoir.