Fires that are currently raging in Russia have created a large brown cloud that is impacting cities and eco systems throughout Asia. 
Beijing and New Delhi are experiencing dimmer sunlight because of the fires smoke, and there is growing concern that this brown cloud will hasten the thaw of Arctic ice. This type of pollution contains tremendous amounts of soot. The soot will settle, and it acts as an absorbent of sunlight, heating up anything it covers. Soot falling on ice will thaw the ice faster due to its heat absorbency. Loss of Arctic ice could stoke global warming. The fires in Russia have created such a large covering of smoke, that it is expected that this brown cloud will reach the Arctic. Brown clouds caused by fires like this one can cause chronic respiratory and heart diseases. The fires are the result of extreme weather conditions Russia is facing this summer. Above normal temperatures and drought have exasperated the health conditions in Russia. Moscow’s top health official said that about 700 people were dying every day, twice as many as in normal weather, as Russia grapples with its worst heat wave in 130 years. Brown clouds like this one are seen pretty much through out the industrialized world, in the guise of air pollution caused from automobiles, heavy industry, and power plants. Even Mother Nature can add soot into the atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions and sand storms of any type of magnitude will cause brown clouds that can threaten people and eco systems. Hopefully the Russians fires will last a few more weeks, and that their brown cloud will soon dissipate.
Photo: Moscow covered in smoke from fires Photo Credit: Reuters
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