Black carbon

Black carbon (BC) is a form of carbon produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuel and wood (forming soot) or biomass (forming charcoals). It exists in aerosols, sediments and soils. The term 'carbon black' is mistakenly used for it. This term refers to the black carbonaceous product of industrial processes. 'Black carbon' refers to the black carbonaceous product of natural and anthropogenic combustion of biomass and fossil fuel. It can also be also be found naturally in graphitic forms.

Recent research suggests that black carbon deposition in Arctic regions may contribute to global warming by reducing the albedo of snow. This not only reduces the amount of solar energy reflected by snow in Arctic regions, but also increases the rate of snow melt, revealing dark substrates like vegetation and soil earlier in the year and thus amplifying black carbon's effect on climate.