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South Asian black carbon is threatening the water sustainability of the Asian Water Tower

Author

Listed:
  • Junhua Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shichang Kang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Deliang Chen

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Lin Zhao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhenming Ji

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Keqin Duan

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

  • Haijun Deng

    (Fujian Normal University)

  • Lekhendra Tripathee

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wentao Du

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mukesh Rai

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fangping Yan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yuan Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Robert R. Gillies

    (Utah State University
    Utah State University)

Abstract

Long-range transport of black carbon from South Asia to the Tibetan plateau and its deposition on glaciers directly enhances glacier melt. Here we find South Asian black carbon also has an indirect effect on the plateau’s glaciers shrinkage by acting to reduce the water supply over the southern Tibetan plateau. Black carbon enhances vertical convection and cloud condensation, which results in water vapor depletion over the Indian subcontinent that is the main moisture flux source for the southern Tibetan plateau. Increasing concentrations of black carbon causes a decrease in summer precipitation over the southern Tibetan plateau, resulting in 11.0% glacier deficit mass balance on average from 2007 to 2016; this loss rises to 22.1% in the Himalayas. The direct (accelerated melt) and indirect (mass supply decrease) effects of black carbon are driving the glacial mass decline of the so-called “Asian Water Tower”.

Suggested Citation

  • Junhua Yang & Shichang Kang & Deliang Chen & Lin Zhao & Zhenming Ji & Keqin Duan & Haijun Deng & Lekhendra Tripathee & Wentao Du & Mukesh Rai & Fangping Yan & Yuan Li & Robert R. Gillies, 2022. "South Asian black carbon is threatening the water sustainability of the Asian Water Tower," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35128-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35128-1
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    2. Tandong Yao & Lonnie Thompson & Wei Yang & Wusheng Yu & Yang Gao & Xuejun Guo & Xiaoxin Yang & Keqin Duan & Huabiao Zhao & Baiqing Xu & Jiancheng Pu & Anxin Lu & Yang Xiang & Dambaru B. Kattel & Danie, 2012. "Different glacier status with atmospheric circulations in Tibetan Plateau and surroundings," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(9), pages 663-667, September.
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