From the UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD and the department of “unknown negative feedbacks” comes this interesting study. While there have been numerous claims that warmer Polar temperatures (due to posited global warming effects) will cause more iceberg calving, I’m sure it will come as quite a shock to those same folks when they discover that there’s a negative feedback for CO2 in the process. Via Eurkealert.
Giant icebergs play key role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere
Key points:
- Giant icebergs leave trail of carbon sequestration in their wake — a month after they have passed
- Geographers analysed 175 satellite images of ocean colour which is an indicator of phytoplankton productivity at the ocean’s surface Giant icebergs are responsible for storing up to 20 per cent of carbon in the Southern Ocean, a new study has found.
Pioneering research from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Geography discovered melting water from giant icebergs, which contains iron and other nutrients, supports hitherto unexpectedly high levels of phytoplankton growth.
This activity, known as carbon sequestration, contributes to the long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide, therefore helping to slow global warming.
During the study, which is the first of its kind on this scale, a team of scientists led by Professor Grant Bigg analysed 175 satellite images of ocean colour — which is an indicator of phytoplankton productivity at the ocean’s surface — from a range of icebergs in the Southern Ocean which were at least 18 km in length.
The images from 2003-2013 showed that enhanced phytoplankton productivity, which has a direct impact on carbon storage in the ocean, extends hundreds of kilometres from giant icebergs, and persists for at least one month after the iceberg passes.
Professor Bigg said: “This new analysis reveals that giant icebergs may play a major role in the Southern Ocean carbon cycle.
“We detected substantially enhanced chlorophyll levels, typically over a radius of at least four-10 times the iceberg’s length.
“The evidence suggests that assuming carbon export increases by a factor of five-10 over the area of influence and up to a fifth of the Southern Ocean’s downward carbon flux originates with giant iceberg fertilisation.
“If giant iceberg calving increases this century as expected, this negative feedback on the carbon cycle may become more important than we previously thought.”
The Southern Ocean plays a significant part in the global carbon cycle, and is responsible for approximately 10 per cent of the ocean’s total carbon sequestration through a mixture of biologically driven and chemical processes, including phytoplankton growth.
Previous studies have suggested that ocean fertilization from icebergs makes relatively minor contributions to phytoplankton uptake of CO2.
However this research, published today (Jan. 11, 2016) in Nature Geoscience, shows that melting water from icebergs is responsible for as much as 20 per cent of the carbon sequestered to the depths of the Southern Ocean.
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Of course, this is old news, as WUWT carried the story back in 2011 that says exactly the same thing.
So enough icebergs melt, it will reverse sea level rise? That is good news!
If you look at the graph of UAH NoPol since about 2002, you will see distinct cooling divided into 2 parts with a single jump in about 2010.
UAH NoPol has 2015 in 13th place in the satellite record.
The suggestion of “warming”, is just that.. a suggestion
SoPol is cooling as well,.with 2015 being the thrid COLDEST in the satellite record.
As I understand it, calving is a sign of increased shear within the glacier caused by gravity acting upon addition mass added at higher elevations. As snowfall increases the mass of the glacier, gravity causes the glacier ice to be compressed, which eventually results in shear.
Compression causes shear which is observed as stress when ice deforms by the crystals sliding along the faces of adjacent crystals. The surface of a glacier moves faster down slope than the lower strata, the base of the glacier being locked to the bedrock. When the moving ice reaches the coast flotation produces tension because of the difference in angle of the downward and upward forces. Tension within the glacier causes fracturing. The outermost part of the glacier then breaks off at the fracture, a phenomenon we observe as calving.
Calving is therefore caused by increase in glacier mass, which we now know from NASA results from increased snowfall at the top of the glaciers.
I recall 25 years ago someone was peddling the minerals from glacier runoff as the ideal mixture for humans, concurrent with the ‘caveman’ diet.
“…melting water from giant icebergs, which contains iron and other nutrients, supports hitherto unexpectedly high levels of phytoplankton growth.”
Is this the same iron that Greenpeace (and others) have been railing against for about thirty years? The same iron that was shown to massively increase the CO2 uptake if spread on the water? The same iron decried as an irresponsible experiment when someone tried it again a few years ago off the West Coast of Canada?
Well, holy oxides Batman! Our understanding of what the limitation to growth in the ocean w correct all along. Carbon sequestration at low price, here we come.
Every ship that plies the seas can start chucking powdered laterite overboard throughout their journeys and make enough carbon offset money to cover the fuel cost.
Think food.
shhh – the expert’s mumbling in his sleep.
awake he shall do away with all ’em catastrophic climate sciencees.
And fore he shall errect the holy church of the knowing sciencials teaching the laity the decalog of the
– Loose Terms:
Hot- Hotter than warm.
Cool- Sensory qualitative feeling.
Cold- Colder than cool.
Heat- loose term for
thermal energy.
Energy- capacity for doing work.
Force- product of Mass and Acceleration by Will.
Work- product of Force and distance moved.
Thermal energy- energy
contained by a body by
motion of particles.
Heat content- Thermal energy contained in a given mass at a given temperature.
Specific Heat- Quantity of thermal energy required to change heat content of a specified mass by one
temperature degree.
Solar energy- loose term for Sun’s radiant energy received on Earth.
Radiant energy- loose term for wave-like energy of all frequencies.
May be reflected, transmitted, absorbed by matter.
/ the never ending reign of confounders of new dogmata /