Atmospheric black carbon in a key location of the Chilean Central Andes: Identifying patterns, sources, and potential impacts

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) has been identified as one of the primary contributors to climate change, primarily due to its exceptional capacity to absorb solar radiation. This leads to a reduction in the albedo of ice and snow surfaces, consequently accelerating their melting. In this work, measurements of atmospheric BC are presented, carried out from October 2016 to December 2019 in Portillo, Chilean Central Andes, in the NUNATAK-1 laboratory refuge (3000 m.a.s.l). This site is close to the Chile-Argentina border and is situated along a heavily trafficked road connecting the two countries. Owing to weather conditions, this route operates on a seasonal schedule, remaining open 24 h during warmer months, while in winter, traffic is restricted to the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Access to vehicles is prohibited during periods of heavy snowfall. BC concentrations were continuously monitored by a Multi-Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP). The variability and temporal cycles of BC levels were investigated in relation to local vehicular activity and meteorological parameters, through multiple linear regression analysis. Results show that vehicular traffic variations led to a systematic pattern in the atmospheric BC measured, with a preponderant role of meteorological factors. During the summer months, BC levels reached their peak (mean of 0.77 μg m−3), with maximum values recorded during the nighttime and early morning hours. In line with this finding, summer counted the highest number of vehicles circulating in the area. In contrast, the winter months exhibited lower average BC atmospheric concentrations compared to summer months (0.35 μg m−3), characterized by a distinct hourly profile. In a complementary way, forward trajectories using the HYSPLIT model were performed for various meteorological conditions. The findings indicated that emissions from the study area had the potential to extend to neighboring glaciers. This impact on the basins' hydrology, vital and fragile components of the Andean region, magnifies climate change effects in these cryospheric zones. Notably, the latest IPCC report highlights limited research on aerosol effects on mountain snow and glaciers. This study also presents the first estimates of high-altitude BC source assessments in Chile and South America. These insights could enhance global atmospheric models in mountainous regions, enhancing their accuracy and utility.