Loss of sea ice alters light spectra for aquatic photosynthesis

Loss of sea ice alters light spectra for aquatic photosynthesis

The dramatic loss of sea ice due to global warming is changing light conditions for marine primary production, but exactly how is not well understood. Previous studies revealed that small peaks in the absorption spectrum of liquid water, due to molecular vibrations of H2O, delineate a series of spectral niches for aquatic photosynthesis. Ice, however, has a smoother absorption spectrum and scatters light much more strongly than liquid water. Her…

Melting Ice Is Changing the Color of the Ocean – And Scientists Are Alarmed

Melting sea ice changes not only how much light enters the ocean, but also its color, disrupting marine photosynthesis and altering Arctic ecosystems in subtle but profound ways. As global warming causes sea ice in the polar regions to melt, it is not just the amount of sunlight entering the ocean that changes. The color [...]

Melting Sea Ice and Drooping Corals - Ocean Conservancy

This blog was written by Ruth Teichroeb, a former journalist and communications professional at Oceans North and Ocean Conservancy. She is based in Sidney, B.C. Like the Arctic, the waters surrounding Jeju Island, South Korea, are under tremendous stress from a changing climate. As the ocean warms, soft corals near the subtropical island are melting in an eerie parallel to the vanishing sea ice of the Arctic. Shared concerns about the impact of …