Which process is involved in the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

Dissolution into the oceans is a significant process associated with the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The oceans act as a major sink for carbon dioxide, absorbing a considerable amount of this gas from the atmosphere. When carbon dioxide dissolves in ocean water, it can form carbonic acid, which can further dissociate into bicarbonate and carbonate ions. This process helps in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and contributes to the ocean's role in the global carbon cycle.

While photosynthesis in plants is also a crucial method for removing carbon dioxide as it converts CO2 into oxygen and glucose, the choice of dissolution into the oceans highlights a direct physical and chemical interaction between the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. This distinction is important because it emphasizes the ocean's role as a buffer in maintaining balance in atmospheric CO2 levels, especially in terms of long-term storage.

Similarly, while absorption by soil does play a role in the carbon cycle, its primary function is to contribute to soil organic matter rather than being a straightforward removal process for atmospheric CO2. The conversion to methane is a process related to anaerobic decomposition and does not directly represent a typical removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere but rather refers to a different aspect of carbon cycling.