What is an example of a process that contributes to carbon sequestration?

Photosynthesis is a critical process for carbon sequestration because it allows plants, algae, and certain bacteria to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. During photosynthesis, these organisms utilize sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced can then be used by the plant for energy, stored as starch, or contribute to biomass, effectively removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in living tissues. This process plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle and helps mitigate climate change by decreasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

In contrast, evaporation changes the state of water and does not impact carbon levels. Combustion releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning organic materials and fossil fuels, thus increasing atmospheric carbon rather than sequestering it. Nitrogen fixation, while important for converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for organisms, does not involve carbon and therefore does not contribute to carbon sequestration.