Source-sink processes of marine black carbon in the context of "carbon neutrality"

Objective Black carbon is a carbonaceous mixture formed by the incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels. Since black carbon has a high carbon content and an aromatized molecular structure, it can persist in the natural environment, suggesting that black carbon is an important component of the global carbon cycle. Although pioneering studies have advanced the understanding of nature, circulation fluxes, and reserves of black carbon in the geosphere, it is still necessary to further clarify the source-sink processes of black carbon and explore the importance of black carbon in the global carbon cycle. Methods Here, this study reviews the available data on pathways, fluxes, and time scales of the global black carbon cycle and analyses and summarizes the migration mechanisms and constraints in the source-sink process of marine black carbon. Results This paper concludes that marine sediments serve as a large reservoir for black carbon, with a reserve of 569-1 380 Pg. Black carbon can persist over millennia in marine sediments, which is associated with a long turnover time as an "effective carbon sink" in the context of "carbon neutrality". Moreover, black carbon exerts a negative feedback effect on global warming due to its longer turnover cycle time than biomass carbon. The deposition of black carbon into the sea is an effective means to enhance carbon sequestration in the ocean and could be an effective way to implement the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategy. Conclusion In this paper, we propose that human-induced production of black carbon from biogenic combustion may be actively regulated and that the deposition pathways and burial areas of black carbon into the sea should also be optimized given the premise of ecological and environmental friendliness based on a summary and assessment of the strategic value and climate significance of black carbon in marine sediments in the context of "carbon neutrality". Therefore, the positive role of black carbon in "negative ocean carbon emissions" can provide a basic theoretical framework for achieving the goals of "carbon neutrality".