British biologists have discovered that parts of Antarctica are covered in tiny algae so dense that they can be seen in patches of green from space, the guardian reported Monday. This study is the first "map of Antarctic algae" in the world. The distribution range of algae is recorded on a large scale, which can be used as a benchmark for future research to observe the growth and decline rate of algae or other species.
The team also said that given the continued warming of the planet and the extent to which the Antarctic ice sheet is melting will only grow, these algae are almost certain to continue to grow in the future. The study also found that Antarctic algae have established a "close relationship" with a number of fungi and bacteria, starting to form their own ecology, with the possibility of new habitats. "This is the beginning of a whole new ecosystem," said David, the university's project leader.
Biologists at the university of Cambridge and the British Antarctic survey have spent six years detecting and measuring algae in Antarctica, using a combination of satellite data and ground observations. Algae is a single-celled organism, a simple plant with no differentiation of roots, stems and leaves, no flowering, no fruit and no seeds.
Using the data, the scientists created the first map of the microalgae distribution in Antarctica, showing 1,679 different bloom sites covering an area of 1.9 square kilometers, nearly two-thirds of them on low-lying islands around the Antarctic peninsula. The algae's "carbon sink" -- the carbon dioxide fixed by plant photosynthesis -- is equivalent to the emissions from some 875,000 car journeys in the UK.
The warming of the islands has been intense, making them one of the fastest-warming places on earth, and this past summer set the highest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica -- 20.75 ° c, scientists said. In the colder parts of Antarctica, algae are less visible.
Scientists say the algae could form new habitats and new ecosystems in some places. In the future, they will also measure red and orange algae and calculate the albedo of different colored algae against the snow.
The team also said that given the continued warming of the planet and the extent to which the Antarctic ice sheet is melting will only grow, these algae are almost certain to continue to grow in the future. The study also found that Antarctic algae have established a "close relationship" with a number of fungi and bacteria, starting to form their own ecology, with the possibility of new habitats. "This is the beginning of a whole new ecosystem," said David, the university's project leader.
Biologists at the university of Cambridge and the British Antarctic survey have spent six years detecting and measuring algae in Antarctica, using a combination of satellite data and ground observations. Algae is a single-celled organism, a simple plant with no differentiation of roots, stems and leaves, no flowering, no fruit and no seeds.
The warming of the islands has been intense, making them one of the fastest-warming places on earth, and this past summer set the highest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica -- 20.75 ° c, scientists said. In the colder parts of Antarctica, algae are less visible.
Scientists say the algae could form new habitats and new ecosystems in some places. In the future, they will also measure red and orange algae and calculate the albedo of different colored algae against the snow.
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