Icebergs are 'ecological hotspot

[lovuian]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6227724.stm

Drifting icebergs are "ecological hotspots" that enable the surrounding waters to absorb an increased volume of carbon dioxide, a study suggests.

US scientists found that minerals released from the melting ice triggered blooms of CO2-absorbing phytoplankton.

These microscopic plants were then eaten by krill (shrimp-like organisms), whose waste material containing the carbon sank to the ocean floor.

The findings are published in the online journal Science Express.
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Someones trying to help

[Lithos]

1. So...

Study the minerals and add them to the water periodically, ice-berg or not.

L-

[Mojorabbit]

2. This could be

wonderful news if it all plays out. Here's hoping.

[lovuian]

3. Some hope out there

Go phytoplankton Go

[Lisa]

4. another reason to protect those krill!

Otherwise, the phytoplankton would just decompose and the CO2 would cycle back into the atmosphere, instead of ending up (we hope) in the sediments.