soot

atmospheric pollutant

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

Soot, also known as black carbon, is a granular form of pure carbon and a primary component of air pollution. It is formed by combustion and rises as fine particles, often coloring smoke. Soot is a significant contributor to global climate change, potentially accounting for as much as half of Arctic warming.12

Atmospheric brown clouds, which contain aerosols like soot, absorb and scatter solar radiation, impacting regional and global climate. These clouds are caused by the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. The particulate matter in soot can be inhaled deep into the lungs, posing risks to human health, including respiratory and cardiovascular problems.34

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combustion
Special aspects
Formation of soot is a feature of all hydrocarbon flames. It makes the flame luminous and nontransparent. The mechanism of soot formation is accounted for by simultaneous polymerization, a process whereby molecules or molecular fragments are combined into extremely large groupings, and dehydrogenation, a process that eliminates…
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Formation of soot is a feature of all hydrocarbon flames. It makes the flame luminous and nontransparent. The mechanism of soot formation is accounted for by simultaneous polymerization, a process whereby molecules or molecular fragments are combined into extremely large groupings, and dehydrogenation, a process that eliminates…
Read More