Effects of Black Carbon

2007 Greenland Ice Melt

Black Carbon (BC) influences climate by:
- directly absorbing light;
- reducing the reflectivity (“albedo”) of snow and ice through deposition; and
- interacting with clouds.

Through these mechanisms, BC has been linked to a range of climate impacts, including increased temperatures and accelerated ice and snow melt.  Sensitive regions such as the Arctic and the Himalayas are particularly vulnerable to the warming and melting effects of BC.

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/blackcarbon/effects.html