What is black carbon?

Black carbon is a type of carbonaceous matter that consists predominately of elemental carbon in the form of soot. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass and is a major component of particulate matter (PM) pollution.

How are black carbon and its related pollutants emitted?

BC and its related pollutants, such as organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC), are emitted from a variety of sources, including motor vehicles, power plants, residential wood burning, and agricultural and forest fires. These can also be introduced to the atmosphere by windblown dust.

What is elemental carbon?

Elemental carbon is a pure form of carbon that consists of carbon atoms arranged in a lattice structure. It is typically found in the form of soot or charcoal and is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass.

What is organic carbon?

Organic carbon is a type of carbonaceous matter that consists of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and/or other elements. It can be found in a variety of forms, including coal, oil, and natural gas. Organic carbon is also a major component of biomass, which includes plant and animal matter.

What are the health impacts of black carbon?

BC has been linked to a number of health impacts, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and premature death. These particles are so small that they penetrate deep into the lungs and can cause a variety of health problems.

BC has also been shown to exacerbate existing medical conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. In addition, children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of BC due to their smaller lung capacity and weaker immune systems.

What are the climate impacts of black carbon?

BC contributes to climate impact global warming by absorbing sunlight and heating up the surrounding air. In addition, BC deposited on snow and ice surfaces can accelerate melting. This can result in localized temperature increases (known as the “urban heat island” effect) and can also contribute to global warming.

What can be done to reduce black carbon emissions?

There are a number of ways to reduce BC emissions, including:

– Switching to cleaner-burning fuels such as natural gas

– retrofitting existing coal-fired power plants with pollution control devices

– Improving vehicle efficiency and transitioning to lower-emitting vehicles such as electric cars

– Promoting the use of cleaner-burning cookstoves in developing countries

– Reducing agricultural and forest fires.