Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies are a crucial part of the efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change and reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere. These technologies work by removing the historical carbon emissions from the atmosphere and storing them safely for the long-term. CDR technologies are diverse and are being developed across several categories, including terrestrial processes, technological innovations, and oceanic-based processes.
Terrestrial processes refer to CDR technologies that involve the use of natural systems to remove and store carbon dioxide. This category includes ecological systems, agricultural systems, biological systems, plant cultivar systems, and soil carbon ecosystems. These technologies utilize natural systems such as forests and crops to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil or vegetation.
Technological innovations refer to CDR technologies that involve the use of human-made systems to remove and store carbon dioxide. This category includes bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture (DAC), ex situ and in situ mineralization, and soil additions. BECCS involves the use of renewable energy sources such as biomass to produce energy while capturing and storing the carbon dioxide emissions. Direct air capture involves the direct removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and its subsequent storage. Ex situ and in situ mineralization involve the conversion of carbon dioxide into minerals that can be stored safely for the long-term.
Oceanic-based processes refer to CDR technologies that involve the use of ocean systems to remove and store carbon dioxide. This category includes ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) and abiotic, electrolytic, biotic, blue carbon, and macroalgae systems. OAE involves increasing the alkalinity of the ocean, which leads to the uptake of more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Abiotic, electrolytic, biotic, blue carbon, and macroalgae systems involve the use of natural and man-made systems to remove carbon dioxide from the ocean and store it safely.
In conclusion, the development and deployment of CDR technologies in various categories offer great potential for mitigating the impact of climate change and reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
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