Posted on 02/04/2026 7:09:11 AM PST by Eleutheria5
A new study published today (February 2) in Nature Geoscience finds that shifts in the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) closely followed changes in marine algae growth in the Southern Ocean during past ice ages. However, the relationship did not work in the way scientists long assumed.
The link centers on iron-rich sediment carried into the ocean by icebergs breaking away from West Antarctica.
Iron typically acts as a nutrient that supports algae growth. But when researchers examined a sediment core collected in 2001 from the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean, taken from more than three miles below the ocean surface, they found something surprising. Even when iron levels were high, algae growth did not increase.
“Normally, an increased supply of iron in the Southern Ocean would stimulate algae growth, which increases the oceanic uptake of carbon dioxide,” says lead author Torben Struve of the University of Oldenburg. Struve worked as a visiting postdoctoral research scientist in 2020 at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, which is part of the Columbia Climate School.
Why Iceberg Iron Did Not Boost Algae Growth To explain the mismatch, the research team examined the chemical makeup of the sediment delivered by icebergs. Their analysis showed that much of the iron was highly “weathered,” meaning it had been chemically altered over long periods of time. During earlier warm phases, when more ice broke off from West Antarctica and drifted northward, much of the iron reaching the ocean was in this poorly soluble form.
Because algae struggle to use this type of iron, the increased supply did not lead to higher biological productivity.
Based on these findings, the researchers conclude that continued shrinking of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could reduce the Southern Ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide in the future.
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(Excerpt) Read more at scitechdaily.com ...
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What a relief. I was worried that global warming would be canceled. Take that, you evil algae! Global warming is still on. yay
I hate those algae bastards. It’s always something with those guys
Bonk.
what is it with these climatologists, we thought wrongly and the algae didn’t grow as expected and won’t effect carbon and we are all doomed after saying we were all doomed because the expected algae growth was going to choke the oceans dooming us.
i guess carbon in the atmosphere isn’t as much as a big deal as they think it is.
There is something wrong with the author of this article.
Not one mention climate change, Global Warming, or pointing blame at mankind for this weathered iron.
Somebody send this guy the ‘Woke Bustard Writer’s Guide to Climate Catastrophism.’
The Oceans used to be fertilized with iron rich Whale Poop.
Not so much anymore.
Experiments off the Pacific coast of adding powdered iron, produced blooms that caused fish stocks to explode.
Unlike most of the people who opine on climate issues, and ALL Democrats, I’m not an expert. But I do understand the concepts of inertia and entropy. Changing something as big as “the climate of a planet” is not easy or quick due to those factors.
Maybe we could dump some of the raw sewage of America to make it have more iron.
This is the crap that happens when you’ve got way too many “scientists” half of which are goofier than hell.
When you are trying to pay your bills, always thank the scientists who found out the composition of ice 3 miles below Antarctica.
I support the tribe of scientists that take love boat cruises to Antarctica to count penguins and take selfies.
John Martin, ‘Iron X’, Moss Landing Marine Lab
Just one more item to add to the charges the next time the Democrats impeach Donald Trump.
Those poor polar bears down there.
Lol, and here we are in the northeast setting new records for cold snaps. Where’s the global warming I was promised Al? On another note, these climate scientists never show any humility.
Never stop the con! Number one rule!
Oh, no! Does this mean we’re all going to die (again)?!
“I hate those algae bastards. It’s always something with those guys”
Yeah. Now the iron isn’t soluble enough. Next they won’t have enough sunshine. They’re nothing but...slime.
Hell, no. We’ll have mellow Canadians in flowery shirts, enjoying the mango trees in their back yard. Eskimos, polar bears and penguins will get to have a break.
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