Drifting icebergs are "ecological hotspots" that enable the surrounding waters to absorb an increased volume of carbon dioxide, a study suggests.
US scientists found that minerals released from the melting ice triggered blooms of CO2-absorbing phytoplankton.
These microscopic plants were then eaten by krill (shrimp-like organisms), whose waste material containing the carbon sank to the ocean floor.
The findings are published in the online journal Science Express.
The study, carried out in the Southern Ocean's Weddell Sea in December 2005, has helped researchers understand the impact of free-floating icebergs on the marine environment.
Read Article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6227724.stm
The earth couldn't possibly take care of itself...it would of never made it this far without save the world freaks. Oh, EcoFreak Wonder Twins - what would we do without you?!?!? Oh, I know, live in peace and adapt to the earth instead of trying to make the earth adapt to us
2007-06-24
10:23:43
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16 answers
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asked by
karadansu
3
in
Global Warming