Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to
Antarctica
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 Scientific
and Technological Development
Image background: London at Night
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Originates from the incomplete burning
of biomass or fossil fuel.
• Basically formed by small highly solarradiation absorbing particles.
• Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
Courtesy of U. Lohmann
• Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0
microns) in the atmosphere.
• So, available to be dispersed at
long ranges.
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!
Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions)
BC emission strength in tons per year
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.
Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo.
Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL
Biomass burning a long way
from Antarctica!
How do South American aerosols reach 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.
Cyclonic activity
Bueno Pereira et al. 2006.
JGR
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
Other glaciers measurements
Himalaya
3 fold increase in BC from 1860 to 2000
largest climate forcing from BC in snow
Impact on water resources
(Source: Paul Mayewski, personal communication)
Swiss Alps
3.7 to 6-fold increase in elemental carbon from
late XVIII century to late XX century.
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 simultaneous
BC 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 Climático
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL (UFRGS)
Porto Alegre – Brazil
(www.ufrgs.br/antartica)
jefferson.simoes@ufrgs.br
Thank you for the attention!
Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to
Antarctica
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 Scientific
and Technological Development
Image background: London at Night
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
• Originates from the incomplete burning
of biomass or fossil fuel.
• Basically formed by small highly solarradiation absorbing particles.
• Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Aerosol Black Carbon (definition)
Courtesy of U. Lohmann
• Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0
microns) in the atmosphere.
• So, available to be dispersed at
long ranges.
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!
Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions)
BC emission strength in tons per year
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.
Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo.
Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL
Biomass burning a long way
from Antarctica!
How do South American aerosols reach 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.
Cyclonic activity
Bueno Pereira et al. 2006.
JGR
Atmospheric exchanges
between Antarctica and South
America