Color of Green Icebergs is Caused by Iron-Oxide Minerals
Shannon Easley
http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/geophysics/green-icebergs-06963.html
Ice usually appears blue because it absorbs more blue light than red light, but in the early 1900’s explorers reported seeing emerald green icebergs around some parts of Antarctica. A new study has suggested that this is caused by the iron content found in marine ice. “Iron is a key nutrient for phytoplankton, microscopic plants that form the base of the marine food web. But iron is scarce in many areas of the ocean,” explains Professor Stephen Warren from the University of Washington. “... green icebergs are ferrying precious iron from Antarctica’s mainland to the open sea when they break off, providing key nutrients to the organisms that support nearly all marine life.” Seawater freezes to the base of some ice shelves, forming marine ice. This ice is clear, dark, and often green in color, because red or yellow particles from the seawater, in combination with the blue of ice, can shift the color to green.
Do you think these green icebergs form anywhere else?
Do you think this affects the different species that live on or near the icebergs?
Do you think this affects the climate surrounding the icebergs?
This is a really cool thing. My question is will the ice capture any other minerals?
ReplyDeletei think this does effect the area around the ice burgs because when those ice burgs melt all of that plankton will be going into our seas and adding into the already high population of plankton which would have a negative effect on the seas life cycle
ReplyDeleteI think that by enriching the photoplankton's diet the food sources of the animals at the top of the food chain is also enriched, therefore providing an outlet for marine life population growth.
ReplyDeleteI think the icebergs affects the species living around these icebergs greatly. The iron is being emitted into the water so the animals are getting so much more nutrients than other animals around the world. -Haleigh Madi
ReplyDeleteim sure that this does affect habitats and animals around the icebergs. since the iron in the icebergs is traveling into the sea and theres nothing that anybody can really do about it, it would be weird if it didnt have any repercussions. im not completely sure on all of the scientific reasons why too much iron could be bad and disruptive to animals and underwater habitats, but it cant be all good. -molly
ReplyDeleteI assume that if it happens in Antarctica, it would also happen to permafrost in the Arctic
ReplyDelete(North Pole) as well. -Sawyer L
Green Icebergs would presumably form where ever the iron content in phytoplankton is high. I don't think that this would effect other species because animals don't eat ice.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's effect the climate around the icebergs either, because I don't know enough about the effects of iron on a climate. - Grace Briggs
The iron in the iceberg is vital for the animals in the ocean and gives them life-Connor Ortmann
ReplyDeleteI think these can form wherever it's cold and there's ice, there is definitely high iron contents in other parts of the world with ice. I am unsure as to if this can affect the climate, is it just like any other iceberg just with iron? I think it will just give marine life more nutrients, but won't have a negative impact. -Andrew
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting how the world around us displays physical properties that can be attributed to the chemical composition of said object, leading to easier identification of said composition. -Matt Schnaare
ReplyDeleteI think the green icebergs effects the species that live near the icebergs significantly because they are rich in nutrients which plays an important role in the ecosystem. - Riki Tanaka
ReplyDeletewill the ice catch any other minerals? -brooke phelan
ReplyDeleteWhen the green icebergs melt will it negatively effect the ocean or can the iron levels be positive - brandon smith
ReplyDelete