A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that dark-pigmented microalgae on the Greenland ice sheet are highly efficient at nutrient uptake and growth.
This allows them to rapidly colonize newly exposed ice, contributing to faster ice melt.
Nutrient Efficiency: The study used single-cell imaging to analyze the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of these algae.
It found they store phosphorus internally and have high carbon-to-nutrient ratios, indicating adaptation to nutrient-poor environments.
Self-Sufficiency and Spread: The algae's ability to thrive without large amounts of external nutrients means they can easily expand their coverage as the ice sheet melts and exposes more bare ice.
Impact on Ice Melt: The dark pigmentation of the algae reduces the ice's reflectivity, leading to increased heat absorption and accelerated melting, which contributes to sea-level rise.
Previous Research: Earlier studies showed that algal blooms on the ice sheet's western margin can increase melt rates by 10 to 13%.
Significance of the Study: This new research explains how these algae survive and expand in nutrient-poor conditions.
It highlights the need to include biological processes in climate models for more accurate predictions of ice sheet melt.
Greenland Ice Sheet and Sea-Level Rise: The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is the largest single contributor of freshwater to global sea-level rise.
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