A recent study conducted by IIT Madras, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research reveals that the combined impact of black carbon and increasing dust storms is significantly accelerating snowmelt and retreating Himalayan glaciers.

MDEs originate from arid regions like the Middle East, whereas PDEs carry dust mixed with black carbon and pollutants from the Indo-Gangetic Plains.

During these dust events, the study found a significant decrease in snow albedo, or the ability of snow to reflect sunlight, by over 10%, which leads to increased solar absorption and accelerates glacier and snow melting.

The researchers recorded a dramatic increase in dust particle levels during these events, with a 310% rise in coarse dust particles and a 185% increase in fine aerosols, further intensifying the melting effect.

PDEs are particularly concerning as they exhibit a twofold increase in black carbon concentrations compared to MDEs, resulting in a more significant snow-darkening effect.

Published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, the study titled 'In Situ Characterisation of Dust Storms and Their Snow-Darkening Effect Over Himalayas' discusses how dust storms, especially prevalent in the pre-monsoon season, degrade air quality and accelerate melting through a process known as 'snow darkening.'

The accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers poses a serious threat to freshwater availability for millions in South Asia, potentially disrupting water supply, agriculture, hydroelectric power, and livelihoods downstream.

While human activities are the primary drivers of glacial melting, the study emphasizes that natural events like dust storms also play a significant role in accelerating glacier melt and contributing to snow darkening.

The research highlights that black carbon, which is emitted from human activities such as biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion, exacerbates the effects of dust storms on glacier melt.

Analyzing data collected from 2006 to 2013, researchers identified ten major dust-loading events in the Indian Himalayas, categorizing them into mineral dust events (MDEs) and polluted dust events (PDEs).