October 15, 2009
PNAS (Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences)
Black soot and the survival of Tibetan glaciers
by Baiqing Xua, Junji Caob, James Hansen, Tandong Yaoa, Daniel R. Joswiaa, Ninglian Wangd, Guangjian Wua, Mo Wanga, Huabiao Zhaoa, Wei Yanga, Xianqin Liue, and Jianqiao Hed
We find evidence that black soot aerosols deposited on Tibetan glaciers have been a significant contributing factor to observed rapid glacier retreat. Reduced black soot emissions, in addition to reduced greenhouse gases, may be required to avoid demise of Himalayan glaciers and retain the benefits of glaciers for seasonal fresh water supplies....
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