Algae, due to which the ice of Greenland is melting so actively, feed on phosphorus

Scientists have identified a key source of nutrients for algae found on melting

glaciers in Greenland.

Greenland ice sheet - second largestin the world after the Antarctic ice sheet - covers almost 80% of the surface of Greenland. Over the past 25 years, surface melting has increased by about 40%.

International research team duringspent two years analyzing samples from the southwestern edge of the Greenland ice sheet, covering an area of ​​1.7 million square meters. km. As a result, they discovered that phosphorus-containing minerals feed algae, causing them to grow and bloom more actively.

Algae darken as it growsthe surface of the ice, because of this, the albedo decreases - the ability to reflect sunlight. The bloom causes increased melting, which contributes to sea level rise. In particular, along the western edge of the massive ice sheet, a low albedo strip of ice has formed known as the Dark Zone.

By studying surface dust, scientists were able todiscover that algae use phosphorus as a key nutrient for growth. Mineral dust, which contains phosphorus, can be carried by the wind for thousands of kilometers. 

Read more

Large numbers of gray whales start starving and dying in the Pacific

Saturn's moon Titan is remarkably similar to Earth. What plans does humanity have for it?

A third of those who have recovered from COVID-19 return to the hospital. Every eighth - dies