Glaciers sweat too: Soot settles on them.
The Invisible Enemy: Black Carbon – Albedo Effect
Since I started photographing the glacier, the “dirt” on it has increased; these dark spots—or black carbon, also known as soot—are produced when fuels and biomass are burned. These tiny, dark particles can travel long distances and settle on glaciers, causing them to darken. As a result, the glaciers lose their ability to efficiently reflect sunlight, leading to increased heat absorption and faster melting.
Recent wildfires, such as the major fire in Canada and the fire in the Valais region of Switzerland, also contribute to the rise in black carbon in the atmosphere. The soot particles released during these fires can spread through the atmosphere and settle on glaciers, leading to additional warming and accelerating the melting process. Interestingly, a large portion of this carbon remains on the glacier, while only a small portion is washed away.
A study by Surabi Menon at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that black carbon from India alone contributes at least 30% to the decline in snow and ice cover on Himalayan glaciers. This figure could actually be even higher, as current measurements of black carbon are likely underestimated.
A glimmer of hope
The good news is that, unlike carbon dioxide, which remains in the atmosphere for 100 years, black carbon stays in the atmosphere for no longer than a few weeks. This means that controlling soot emissions can have an immediate effect on slowing glacier melt.
UPDATE March 2026: Calculate the albedo effect per stone
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