Carbon negative

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Carbon negative is any process that removes carbon, in any form, from the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere in such a way that it cannot return. Carbon negative processes are the opposite of carbon positive processes.

[edit] Carbon dioxide sinks and carbon negativity

A carbon dioxide sink such as plants, algae or any other primary producer that binds carbon dioxide into biomass are not carbon negative but carbon neutral. A carbon dioxide sink of this type moves carbon, in the form of carbon dioxide, from the atmosphere or hydrosphere to the biosphere. That carbon will return to the atmosphere or hydrosphere in the form of carbon dioxide as a part of the carbon cycle.

Carbon dioxide sinks that store carbon dioxide in the earth's crust (geological sequestration) or in the form of insoluble carbonate salts (mineral sequestration) are carbon negative.