Black Carbon and Reduced Snowfall Threaten Frozen Freshwater Resources in Himalaya

Scientific Reports, 19 September 2022

Rising global temperatures have accelerated the retreat of the Hoksar Glacier over recent decades, reflecting a larger trend for glaciers in the Upper Indus Basin. Burning nearby of coal, wood, and agricultural crops releases black carbon; these “soot” particles darken the surface of glaciers and snow, intensifying melt. The Hoksar Glacier has a higher concentration of black carbon than much of the surrounding area, which drives it to lose ice faster than many other Himalayan glaciers. Black carbon also increases regional warming. Rising temperatures expand the melt season to earlier in the spring, and decrease winter snowfall. Glacier melt from the Upper Indus Basin significantly contributes to major rivers, sustains irrigation, and supplies hydropower for billions of downstream populations that rely on the stability of this freshwater resource. Authors underscore the importance of reducing black carbon as well as CO2 emissions to slow the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers and preserve these frozen water supplies for agriculture, energy, and other essential economic sectors across Asia.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-20033-w