Biological sequestration

Falkowski, P.G. 1997 Evolution of the nitrogen cycle and its influence on the biological sequestration of C02 in the ocean. Nature 387 272-275. 

In the near term, biological sequestration can, with appropriate accounting rules and environmental criteria, play a role in reducing atmospheric concentrations of co2. Probably the best-known form of sequestration is the planting of trees (or other plants) to remove co2 from the atmosphere and store it inside that biomass. This biological sequestration is temporary because when the plant or tree dies, it decays, returning the co2 to the atmosphere. Even massive... 

The availability of nitrogen in the euphotic zone is an important, potentially limiting factor for productivity and the biological sequestration of carbon in the ocean. There are three principal routes by which new nitrogen makes its way into the euphotic zone of the Atlantic Ocean Physical transport of nitrate, nitrogen fixation by diazotrophic organisms, and aeolian transport and deposition. 

The term sequestration refers to putting aside and locking up carbon that is freed in the extraction of fossil fuels. Among some researchers, the term sequestration has become synonymous with biological sequestration, i.e., the cultivation of biomass to capture and store C02. Here, the term is used more broadly Sequestration refers to any storage scheme that can keep CO2 out of the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration schemes can be ranked by capacity and permanence of storage, by environmental consequences, and by cost of implementation. 

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