Biosphere, renewable carbon

Renewable carbon-based biopolymers (biomass) are produced at a targe annual rate in the biosphere. 

Consequences of Ozone Depletion. Ozone depletion over Antarctica is causing renewed concern about the consequences of increased levels of UV reaching the earth s biosphere. One area of concern involves the free-floating microscopic plants, known collectively as phytoplankton (the grass of the sea), which through the process of photosynthesis, fix carbon dioxide into living organic matter. Phytoplankton forms the basis of the marine food chain on which zooplankton (animal plankton) and all other components of the ecosystem depend for their sustenance. 

According to the World Nuclear Association "During the next 50 years, as Earth s population expands from 6 billion toward 9 billion, humanity will consume more energy than the combined total used in all previous history. With carbon emissions now threatening the very stability of the biosphere, the security of our world requires a massive trans formation to clean energy. Renewables like solar, wind and biomass can help. But only nuclear power offers clean, environmentally friendly energy on a massive scale."... 

Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer in the biosphere and the most abundant renewable aromatic material. It comprises 15-30% of woody plant cell walls, forming a matrix surrounding the cellulose. This encrusting matrix (1,2) significantly retards the microbial depolymerization of cellulose and thus lignin plays a key role in the earth s carbon cycle (1-3). 

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