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Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:
1. Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.
2. It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.
3. Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.
4. Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    3 only
  • c)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • d)
    1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Blac...
• Statement 4 is incorrect: BC remains in the atmosphere for only a few weeks, so cutting its emissions would immediately reduce the rate of warming, particularly in the rapidly changing Arctic.
Black Carbon
• Black Carbon (BC) has recently emerged as a major contributor to global climate change, possibly second only to CO2 as the main driver of change. BC particles strongly absorb sunlight and give soot its black color.
• BC is produced both naturally and by human activities as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. Primary sources include emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.
• Reducing CO2 emissions is essential to avert the worst impacts of future climate change, but CO2 has such a long atmospheric lifetime that it will take several decades for CO2 concentrations to begin to stabilize after emissions reductions begin. In contrast, BC remains in the atmosphere for only a few weeks, so cutting its emissions would immediately reduce the rate of warming, particularly in the rapidly changing Arctic. Moreover, reduced exposure to BC provides public health cobenefits, especially in developing countries. Technologies that can reduce global BC emissions are available today.
• Being the strongest absorbent of light amongst all the components of particulate matter. It has the ability to reduce albedo when deposited on snow. It thus warms the region by reflecting less solar energy.
• Main Properties of Black Carbon
• It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles (PM5.)
• It is highly effective in absorbing solar energy and can absorb million times more energy than Carbon Dioxide.
• It is formed of pure carbon in several linked forms.
• It is emitted in two forms-anthropogenic and soot. It is a major component of soot.
• Climatologically, it is highly active and is known as a climate forcing agent. It adds to global atmospheric heating by reducing the albedo which is the property of snow and ice to reflect sunlight.
• BC emissions are largely done from automobile sources like diesel engines and other vehicles. This comprises 52% of total BC emissions. Other sources include burning of biomass, residential processes, industrial heating etc.
• Largest contributors of BC in the world are Asia, some parts of African continent and Latin America. China and India together contribute 25-30% of the total global black carbon emissions. These emissions are more intense in the source regions which include: Indo-Gangetic plains of India, Eastern China, Southeast Asia and Indonesia, Equatorial Africa, Latin America etc.  A large part of people live in these hotspots.
• It was first identified in the Arctic haze aerosols and the Arctic snow.
• It comprises about 30% of the total carbon component of soils. It serves a major reservoir of nutrients for tropical soils.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Blac...
Black Carbon, also known as soot, is a type of particulate matter that is produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It is a major component of black smoke emitted from vehicles, industries, and residential sources such as cooking stoves and open burning. Black carbon is a potent climate forcer and has both warming and cooling effects on the atmosphere.

Statement 1: Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.
This statement is correct. Black carbon is formed when carbon-based fuels are burned incompletely. It is a byproduct of various human activities including the burning of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. The incomplete combustion process leads to the formation of black carbon particles.

Statement 2: It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.
This statement is incorrect. Black carbon is emitted as fine particles, but it is generally categorized as PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less). PM2.5 particles are smaller than PM5 particles. These fine particles can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods of time and can be transported over long distances.

Statement 3: Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.
This statement is correct. When black carbon particles are deposited on snow and ice surfaces, they reduce the reflectivity or albedo of the surface. This leads to increased absorption of solar radiation and subsequent warming of the surrounding area. The presence of black carbon on snow and ice contributes to the accelerated melting of glaciers and Arctic sea ice, which further exacerbates global warming.

Statement 4: Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.
This statement is not mentioned in the given information and is therefore incorrect. The lifetime of black carbon particles in the atmosphere can vary depending on various factors such as size, altitude, and atmospheric conditions. While some particles may have a relatively short lifetime of days to weeks, others may persist in the atmosphere for several months. However, it is generally shorter-lived compared to other greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2).

In conclusion, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct regarding black carbon. Statement 4 is incorrect as the lifetime of black carbon in the atmosphere is not mentioned in the given information.
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Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.2. It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.3. Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.4. Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)3 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.2. It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.3. Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.4. Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)3 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.2. It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.3. Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.4. Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)3 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements with respect to Black Carbon:1. Black carbon is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass.2. It is directly emitted in the atmosphere as fine particles PM5.3. Black carbon warms the atmosphere by reducing albedo when deposited on snow and ice.4. Life time of black carbon in the atmosphere is more than 100 years.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)3 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 2, 3 and 4Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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