Black Carbon Not A Girls Best Friend
Diamonds, according to the song, are a girls best friend are made from Carbon. The ingredients of those sparkling gems have a darker side too. While commonly in environmental circles carbon is the C in CO2 there is another combination of this element and that is soot or black carbon.
The complexity of the earth climate is beginning to unravel little by little and the effect of soot plays it part. From industrial factories to candle in the home, soot is the result of burning and the particles being quite heavy soon drop out of the air and rest on the ground.
Some areas of the world are more prone to the effect of black carbon and in particular the mountains of the Himalayas. Surrounded by the developing countries of China and India who are large emitters of carbon. Here the pollutants gather in much larger quantities and eventually settles on the mountains. The darkness of the particles attract the heat of the sun and in turn lead to the meting of the snow and glaciers. The may have have devastating effect for those living below, firstly from increased flooding and then from the lack of water as the glaciers melt.
While this problem is more recognizable in the Himalayas, its causes are worldwide. Diesels engines being a main contributor. Our other favourite mode of transport, the jet aircraft flying high can spread soot for many thousands of miles before the pollutants eventually settle. Any snow covered mountain or glacial area could be at risk here and this is in addition to the Global Effect of warming of the world by CO2 emissions.
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