What is the proposed method for long-term carbon storage?

The proposal involves sinking mature boreal forest trees into the deep Arctic Ocean to sequester carbon for millennia.

What are the potential benefits of sinking trees in the Arctic Ocean?

This method could potentially remove one gigaton of carbon dioxide annually and preserve carbon for millennia in cold, low-oxygen waters.

What are the major challenges associated with sinking trees in the Arctic Ocean?

Challenges include the energy and emissions for transport and sinking, unknown impacts on ocean life, forest ecosystem disruption, and effects on Indigenous communities.

Home / Science / Arctic Ocean Sinks? New Plan to Store Carbon

Arctic Ocean Sinks? New Plan to Store Carbon

21 Feb

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Summary

Old trees could be sunk in Arctic Ocean to store carbon.
New trees would be planted to accelerate carbon absorption.
This plan faces logistical, ecological, and social challenges.

Arctic Ocean Sinks? New Plan to Store Carbon

A novel geoengineering concept suggests sinking mature trees from vast boreal forests into the deep Arctic Ocean to sequester carbon for millennia. Researchers from the UK, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic explored this idea using computer modeling, focusing on removing old, fire-prone trees from Canada, Alaska, and Russia.

The proposal includes replanting fast-growing trees in place to boost atmospheric carbon absorption. Scientists believe the cold, low-oxygen Arctic waters could significantly slow wood decay, similar to ancient trees found preserved in Alpine lakes. This method could potentially remove one gigaton of carbon dioxide annually by targeting just one percent of the boreal forest.