The last bastion of sea ice Arctic may disappear soon in the summer season. In just a few decades, this “sanctuary” of frozen blocks, located in the so-called Lincoln Sea, north of Greenland and Canada, and which usually remains unchanged throughout the year, will no longer exist during the summer months, just as it has for 10,000 years. before
This has been demonstrated by a group of researchers from Aarhus University (Denmark) in collaboration with Stockholm University and the United States Geological Survey. Communication World and EnvironmentThey predicted the evolution of the area, taking into account data collected on the Holocene meltdown that the same place experienced 10,000 years ago.
When the ice disappeared that summer, the planet’s temperatures were higher than they are today, but we’re fast approaching. “The sea ice in this region will melt in the next few decades”Christof Pearce, a geologist at Aarthus University who specializes in climate reconstructions, explains. However, as he himself admits, there is still great uncertainty about when this event will take place.
A “slight increase in temperatures” will suffice
“It could happen in 20, 30, 40 or more years,” he insists, but warns: “This study shows that We are very close to the realization of this scenario.”. The lead author of this article also explains that only a slight increase in temperatures would be necessary for “ice to melt.”
To make these estimates, the researchers studied sediments from the ground that corresponded to the postglacial period. At that time — about 10,000 years ago — summer temperatures in the Arctic were higher than they are today. At that time, it was the planet’s own arrangement that caused it to suffer such a rise in temperatures.
And although this natural process has nothing to do with the current global warming—much faster and human-induced—the region quickly became a natural laboratory for studying the future fate of this region.
researchers Among many other things, they studied the molecules of certain algae that are only produced when there is sea ice; this is an indicator by which scientists can determine during which summer months there is sea ice in the area.
The North Pole will darken
Knowing this phenomenon is vital to understanding the future of the planet and perfecting future climate models. When sea ice in the Lincoln Sea begins to melt in the summer, this will have consequences for the rest of the climate. In principle, thawing will cause that surface to be dark instead of white. Therefore, instead of reflecting the Sun’s rays, it would absorb them ten times more if it were a layer of ice. to protect these emissions.
And all this without counting the damage to marine ecosystems. “Sea ice is the foundation of many ecosystems. For example, the algae we studied are food for fish, and they are food for birds.” These unique ecosystems will suffer.
According to the researchers, the research results contain both good and bad news. “The bad news is that this is likely to happen very soon. The good news is that the trend is reversible.Detlef explains. In fact, the geologist assures that humanity will have time to do something about it if we “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and set more ambitious political goals than current ones.” “If we can keep temperatures stable or perhaps lower, sea ice will repopulate the area.Says.
“We know this is going to happen, so this study aims to draw attention,” says Pearce, insisting that these results do not make the situation any more depressing, but rather require more urgent action. “We need to act now to change that,” he says.
Reference work: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-00720-w
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