What causes black snowblack snow?

What causes black snowblack snow?

Black snowblack snow is caused by the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere, which bond with snowflakes during precipitation. Key sources include:

- Industrial Emissions: Factories and power plants release soot and chemicals.
- Transportation: Exhaust fumes from cars and trucks contribute airborne particles.
- Wildfires: Natural disasters like wildfires emit ash that mixes with snow.
- Coal Burning: In regions with heavy reliance on coal for heating or energy, unburned carbon residues settle on snow.
- Agricultural Practices: Dust from farming or burning crop residue can also discolor snow.

This pollution is often intensified during winter inversions, where cold air traps pollutants near the ground.