ARE MICROBES CAUSING GLOBAL WARMING?

A report states that research suggests algae growing on the Alaska Harding Icefield is causing about one-sixth (17%) of the glacial snow melt there.* As the microbes grow, they turn the snow a crimson color. This coloring increases the amount of sunlight the snow absorbs, causing an increase in melting.

Glaciers contain nutrients that can encourage algal growth. When algal growth causes faster snow melt, that melting can, in turn, accelerate more algal growth resulting in even more melting. Researchers also are studying the Greenland ice sheet for similar findings.

According to the report, the "algal effect" on glacial snow melt should be taken into account in so-called climate change simulations. In other words, snow melt cannot be assumed to be due entirely to higher temperatures. One wonders what other natural phenomena may be increasing global temperatures but may not be considered in predictions of climate change. For example, some have asserted that cow flatulence is a significant contributor to warming.

It is said that "a rolling stone gathers no moss." In the fast moving rolling stone of climate change assertions, have we really looked for moss or do we merely assume that there is none?

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*Hamers, "Algae Speed Up Melting of
Glacial Snow," Science News,
October 14, 2017, p.10

© Daniel J. Kucera 2017