Mitigating Aerosol Emissions Can Effectively Offset Climate Warming Impacts on Snowmelt

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c00213
• Publication Date: 2025-05-07T03:54:05Z
• Authors: Yuxuan Xing; Shirui Yan; Yang Chen; Yongxiang Lin; Yaliang Hou; Yue Zhou; Dongyou Wu; Cenlin He; Daizhou Zhang; Xin Wang; Meng Gao; Meng Liu; Yanbiao Liu; Zijie Zhang; Hong-bin Xie; Minghui Yang; Ying Li; Wei Pu
• Keywords: Snowmelt

Northeast China is among the most polluted snow-covered regions globally due to substantial anthropogenic black carbon (BC) emissions. BC particles, upon deposition, darken snowpack and subsequently accelerate snowmelt disrupt spring water resource availability. While impact of in snow (BCS) on widely recognized, its competitive effect relative climate warming has been less studied, a critical knowledge gap given China's heavy reliance for agricultural residential use. This study, utilizing comprehensive field measurements across China, reveals alarmingly high BCS concentrations with mean 1100 ± 810 ng g-1, 17 times greater than global average. These levels contribute 72% (0.82 cm d-1) accelerated rates (ASR), surpassing effects (28%, 0.32 d-1). Importantly, observation-constrained CMIP6 projections under SSP245 scenario indicate an 82% reduction by 2080-2100. decline could offset 40% projected ASR increase future warming, slowing total 2080-2100 71% above that 2000-2020. In contrast, (3.6%-15%) pronounced other Northern Hemisphere, highlighting unique effectiveness clean air policy implementation mitigating acceleration.