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Transcript of Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to Antarctica Image background: London at Night BLACK CARBON Signal...
Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to Antarctica
Image background: London at Night
BLACK CARBON
Signal of global pollution and its impact on ice masses
Jefferson C. Simões & Heitor Evangelista
Brazilian National Institute for Cryopheric Sciences,Porto Alegre, RS - BRAZIL
Brazilian National Council for Scientificand Technological Development
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Originates from the incomplete burning of biomass or fossil fuel.
• Basically formed by small highly solar- radiation absorbing particles.
• Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0 microns) in the atmosphere.
• So, available to be dispersed at long ranges.
Courtesy of U. Lohmann
Aerosol Black Carbon (definitions)
BC belongs to the ‘short-lived pollutants’ group, which are retained in the atmosphere for some days before deposition.
These ‘short-lived pollutants’ are the
second most important contributor to global warming!
(Hansen and Nazarenko 2004).
* In short, BC absorbs light and heats the atmosphere!
Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL
Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo.
Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions)
Emissions for 1996 from:
- fuel combustion (fossil fuels and biofuels);- open biomass burning (forest fires, savanna burning and outdoor cooking.
Regional emission uncertainty is about ±100% or more.
BC emission strength in tons per year
Biomass burning a long way from Antarctica!
Emissions from the vegetation burning in South America reach the South Shetlands with frontal systems in the Drake Passage.
Measurements of Black Carbon and circulation patterns corroborate the transport of pollutants.
Bueno Pereira et al. 2006.JGR
How do South American aerosols reach Antarctica ?
Cyclonic activity
Atmospheric exchanges between Antarctica and
South America
Detecting the BC signal in Antarctica
Atmospheric and ice core measurements at the same site
Detroit Plateau – Antarctic Peninsula
Himalaya 3 fold increase in BC from 1860 to 2000largest climate forcing from BC in snowImpact on water resources(Source: Paul Mayewski, personal communication)
Swiss Alps 3.7 to 6-fold increase in elemental carbon fromlate XVIII century to late XX century.
Other glaciers measurements
Aerosol Black Carbon (Environmental impact)
BC impact on the surface of snow and ice masses
- reduces the surface albedo
- increase melting
- trigger albedo feedback
- changes the glacier mass balance
- contribute to glacier retreat
Reducing Black Carbon emissions helps to reduce the effect of absorbing impurities snow albedo.
Reduces melting on glaciers surface.
2011-2012
First Brazilian campaign in Central Antarctica for simultaneousBC sampling in the atmosphere, snow surface and ice cores.
Remote controlled equipments to monitor the transport of BC from South America to Antarctica along the year.
Centro Polar e ClimáticoUNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL (UFRGS)
Porto Alegre – Brazil
(www.ufrgs.br/antartica)
Thank you for the attention!
Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to Antarctica
Image background: London at Night
BLACK CARBON
Signal of global pollution and its impact on ice masses
Jefferson C. Simões & Heitor Evangelista
Brazilian National Institute for Cryopheric Sciences,Porto Alegre, RS - BRAZIL
Brazilian National Council for Scientificand Technological Development
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Originates from the incomplete burning of biomass or fossil fuel.
• Basically formed by small highly solar- radiation absorbing particles.
• Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0 microns) in the atmosphere.
• So, available to be dispersed at long ranges.
Courtesy of U. Lohmann
Aerosol Black Carbon (definitions)
BC belongs to the ‘short-lived pollutants’ group, which are retained in the atmosphere for some days before deposition.
These ‘short-lived pollutants’ are the
second most important contributor to global warming!
(Hansen and Nazarenko 2004).
* In short, BC absorbs light and heats the atmosphere!
Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL
Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo.
Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions)
Emissions for 1996 from:
- fuel combustion (fossil fuels and biofuels);- open biomass burning (forest fires, savanna burning and outdoor cooking.
Regional emission uncertainty is about ±100% or more.
BC emission strength in tons per year
Biomass burning a long way from Antarctica!
Emissions from the vegetation burning in South America reach the South Shetlands with frontal systems in the Drake Passage.
Measurements of Black Carbon and circulation patterns corroborate the transport of pollutants.
Bueno Pereira et al. 2006.JGR
How do South American aerosols reach Antarctica ?
Cyclonic activity
Atmospheric exchanges between Antarctica and
South America