Black carbon as a factor in deglaciation in polar and mountain ecosystems: A Review

Abstract

Black carbon is considered a product of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and materials that originated from volcanic eruptions or were emitted during wildfires. It is a strong light-absorbing component that has many atmospheric and surface effects in terrestrial and glacial ecosystems. Normally, black carbon is presented as a solid particle, consisting mainly of pure carbon, which absorbs solar radiation at all wavelengths. Some black carbon particles are amended by a mineral compound, though black carbon substances are normally dark or greyish dark. Black carbon is the most active part of suspended particles in the atmosphere and on glacial surfaces, absorbing solar radiation, the main component of ash, which consists of carbon particles with impurities in the form of mineral particles and also contains carbon of biogenic origin. In this paper, we have analyzed the literature on black carbon and its effect on deglaciation processes in the Earth’s polar and mountainous regions. The physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of black carbon accumulations were studied using the examples of the Arctic, the Antarctic, and the Central Caucasus. Potential sources and conditions of the transportation of black carbon into the polar zone and their effect on ice and snow have also been discussed.

Geochemistry of cryoconite and soils in the Central Caucasus region and its environmental implications

“…The deposition of dust and black carbon particles is a crucial factor in accelerating the retreat of glaciers (Kaspari et al 2015). During intensive melting of ice and snow, cryoconite sediments attract addition mineral particles and black carbon which leads to its increase in size as well as they are able to accumulate nutrients (Polyakov et al 2020b;Zheng et al 2020). According to recent researches (Bogdal et al 2009;Morselli et al 2014), melting glaciers act as a sink of various pollutants for glacial-fed streams and lakes due to deposition of atmospheric dust.…”