Soil carbon sequestration: an innovative strategy for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration

Abstract

Global warming due to increasing greenhouse gases emission and the subsequent climatic changes are the most serious environmental challenges faced by environmental scientists, academicians, regulatory agencies and policy makers worldwide. Among the various greenhouse gases, CO 2 constitutes a major share and its concentration is increasing rapidly. Therefore, there is perhaps an urgent need to formulate suitable policies and programs that can firmly reduce and sequester CO 2 emissions in a sustainable way. In order to combat the predicted disaster due to rising CO 2 level, several CO 2 capture and storage technologies and medium are being widely pursued and deliberated. Among them soil carbon sequestration (SCS) is gaining global attention because of its stability and role in long-term surface reservoir, natural low cost and eco-friendly means to combat climate change. Apart from the carbon capturing, the process of soil carbon stabilization also provides other tangible benefits that includes achieving food security, by improving soil quality, wasteland reclamation and preventing soil erosion. The present article aimed to address all these concerns and provide strategies and critical research needs to implement SCS as a mitigation option for increasing atmospheric CO 2 level and its future directions.

Humus balances of different farm production systems in main production areas in Austria

“…This is an intrinsic characteristic of organic farming systems. This result indicates a higher potential for C sequestration in organic farming, confirming the results of other studies ( Hülsbergen and Küstermann , 2007; Stalenga and Kawalec , 2008; Gattinger et al, 2012; Srivastava et al, 2012).…”

“…Soil organic matter (SOM) fulfils numerous functions ( Prechtel et al, 2009; Fageria , 2012; Srivastava et al, 2012). It can be regarded as the basis of soil fertility and productivity especially, but not exclusively, in low‐input and organic farming systems.…”

“…, the ratio of arable land to grassland, livestock density, crop rotation, management operations, and management intensity, as well as the farming system, i.e. , organic or conventional farming, have an impact on the soil matrix and SOM content, as well as upon the soil organic C (OC) content which in turn is an important part in the global C cycle ( Luo et al, 2010; Srivastava et al, 2012). In this respect, sustainable agricultural practices aim at increasing or at least maintaining SOM contents.…”

Soil structure and greenhouse gas emissions: a synthesis of 20 years of experimentation

“…Structural stability is improved by addition of organic matter with a significant labile fraction, which also contributes to the overall capture of organic carbon in the soil. Organic carbon is stabilized within aggregates and by physical binding with clay and silt particles and the formation of recalcitrant materials: root‐associated microbes also produce glomalin that helps to stabilize aggregates (Srivastava et al ., 2012).…”

The charms and challenges of climate change biodiversity in a warming world

“…Kallarackal and Roby (2012) reviewed the research on trees using elevated CO 2 , and assessed the different methods available, including FACE. Finally, Srivastava et al (2012) highlighted the importance of soil carbon sequestration (SCS) as a mitigation option to address the increasing atmospheric CO 2 levels which trigger global warming and climate change.…”