ICE CORES: Black Carbon

Black Carbon(BC) particles are produced during the  incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass burning (e.g. forest-fires).  BC’s presence in the atmosphere and on the Earth’s surface has made it a major contributor to global climate change.  The strong solar absorption strength of BC can warm the atmosphere, as well as help melt snow and ice it has been deposited on.  Analysis of BC in ice cores can reveal how BC levels have changed in certain regions of the Earth over the past few centuries.

NASA Video:  Global Transport of Black Carbon