Black Carbon : Study
News: A comprehensive investigation into the effects of atmospheric pollution, including black carbon, on the Himalayan glacier system has recently been suggested by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources.
Black carbon is the dark sooty substance released by fossil fuel-burning devices such as petrol and diesel engines, coal-fired power stations and other devices.
It is created when fossil fuels, wood, and other substances burn inefficiently.
It contains a sizeable amount of particulate matter, also known as PM, an atmospheric pollutant.
It is a climate contaminant with a brief half-life of just a few days to a few weeks after being released into the atmosphere.
Because of how well it absorbs light and heats its environment, it plays a significant role in global warming.
It has a 460–1,500 times greater warming effect on the atmosphere than CO2.
Additionally, it affects regional circulation and rainfall trends, as well as cloud formation.
Black carbon and co-emitted particles decrease the surface’s albedo (ability to refract sunlight) and heat the surface when they are deposited on ice and snow.