A
carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that accumulates and stores some
carbon-containing chemical compound for an indefinite period. The process by which carbon sinks remove carbon dioxide (CO
2) from the atmosphere is known as
carbon sequestration. Public awareness of the significance of CO
2 sinks has grown since passage of the
Kyoto Protocol, which promotes their use as a form of
carbon offset. There are also different strategies used to enhance this process.