1. Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to Antarctica Image background: London at Night 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

2. Aerosol Black Carbon (definition) Originates from the incomplete burning of biomass or fossil fuel. Basically formed by small highly solar- radiation absorbing particles. Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.

3. Aerosol Black Carbon (definition) Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0 microns) in the atmosphere. So, available to be dispersed at long ranges. Courtesy of U. Lohmann

4. 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!

5. Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo. Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions) 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. BC emission strength in tons per year

6. Biomass burning a long way from Antarctica!

7. 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. Bueno Pereira et al. 2006. JGR How do South American aerosols reach Antarctica ? Cyclonic activity

8. Atmospheric exchanges between Antarctica and South America

9. Detecting the BC signal in Antarctica Atmospheric and ice core measurements at the same site Detroit Plateau – Antarctic Peninsula

10. 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 Alps3.7 to 6-fold increase in elemental carbon from late XVIII century to late XX century. Other glaciers measurements

11. 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

12. Reducing Black Carbon emissions helps to reduce the effect of absorbing impurities snow albedo. Reduces melting on glaciers surface.

13. 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.

14. Centro Polar e Climático UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL (UFRGS) Porto Alegre – Brazil (www.ufrgs.br/antartica)www.ufrgs.br/antartica jefferson.simoes@ufrgs.br Thank you for the attention!

15. Aerosol Black Carbon Transport to Antarctica Image background: London at Night 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

16. Aerosol Black Carbon (definition) Originates from the incomplete burning of biomass or fossil fuel. Basically formed by small highly solar- radiation absorbing particles. Found from the Arctic to Antarctica.

17. Aerosol Black Carbon (definition) Diameter (between 0.01 and 1.0 microns) in the atmosphere. So, available to be dispersed at long ranges. Courtesy of U. Lohmann

18. 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!

19. Novakov, et al. (2003). GRL Ramanathan and Carmichael, 2003. Nature Geo. Aerosol Black Carbon (historical emissions) 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. BC emission strength in tons per year

20. Biomass burning a long way from Antarctica!

21. 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. Bueno Pereira et al. 2006. JGR How do South American aerosols reach Antarctica ? Cyclonic activity

22. Atmospheric exchanges between Antarctica and South America