Greenland’s glacial runoff is fueling an explosion in ocean life, according to a recent study supported by NASA. As the ice sheet melts, it releases massive amounts of freshwater into the sea, which then interacts with the surrounding saltwater and nutrients from the depths.

The researchers used a state-of-the-art computer model called Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean-Darwin (ECCO-Darwin) to simulate the complex interactions between biology, chemistry, and physics in one pocket along Greenland’s coastline. The study revealed that glacial runoff delivers nutrients like iron and nitrate, essential for phytoplankton growth, to the surface waters.

Phytoplankton are tiny plant-like organisms that form the base of the ocean food web. They take up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as byproducts of photosynthesis. In Arctic waters, their growth rate has surged 57% between 1998 and 2018 alone. The study found that glacial runoff boosts summertime phytoplankton growth by 15 to 40% in the study area.

Increased phytoplankton blooms can have a positive impact on Greenland’s marine animals and fisheries. However, untangling the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem will take time and further research. The team plans to extend their simulations to the whole Greenland coast and beyond.

The study also highlights the interconnectedness of the ocean ecosystem, with phytoplankton blooms influencing the carbon cycle both positively and negatively. While glacial runoff makes seawater less able to dissolve carbon dioxide, the bigger blooms of phytoplankton take up more carbon dioxide from the air as they photosynthesize, offsetting this loss.

The researchers emphasize that their approach is applicable to any region, making it a powerful tool for studying ocean ecosystems worldwide. As climate change continues to reshape our planet, understanding these complex interactions will be essential for predicting and mitigating its impacts on marine life and ecosystems.

The article begins by highlighting the pressing issue of petroleum-derived plastic pollution and the detrimental effects of microplastics on our food and water supplies. In response to this problem, researchers have been developing biodegradable versions of traditional plastics, or “bioplastics.” However, current bioplastics face challenges as they are not as strong as petrochemical-based plastics and only degrade through a high-temperature composting system.

Enter researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, who have solved both problems with inspiration from the humble leaf. The team decided to introduce cellulose nanofibers to the design of bioplastics, creating a multilayer structure where cellulose is in the middle and the bioplastics are on two sides. This unique biomimicking design allows for broader bioplastic utilization, addressing the limitations of current versions.

The researchers emerged from working with two high-production bioplastics today: polyhydroxybutrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA). They used a variation of their leaf-inspired cellulose nanofiber structure to improve the strength and biodegradability of these plastics. The optimized bioplastic, called Layered, Ecological, Advanced and multi-Functional Film (LEAFF), turned PLA into a packaging material that is biodegradable at room temperature.

The researchers’ innovation was in adding the cellulosic structure that replicates cellulose fibrils embedded within the bioplastics. This unique design allows for critical properties such as low air or water permeability, helping keep food stable, and a surface that is printable. Additionally, the LEAFF’s underlying cellulose structure gives it a higher tensile strength than even petrochemical plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene.

The researchers hope this technology can scale up soon and seek commercial and philanthropic partners to help bring these improved processes to industry. They believe the United States is uniquely positioned to dominate the bioplastics market and establish a “circular economy” wherein waste products are reused, fed back into systems instead of left to pollute the air and water or sit in landfills.

The article concludes by highlighting the potential for the U.S. to create jobs and new markets through the development and implementation of this sustainable technology. The researchers also emphasize the importance of circular reuse in turning waste into useful materials.

The hidden climate battle between forests and the ocean is a crucial aspect of planetary health that has been largely overlooked until now. A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals a significant increase in global photosynthesis driven by terrestrial plants, which was partially offset by a weak decline in photosynthesis among marine algae.

The researchers used satellite-based data to analyze annual changes in net primary production for land and ocean ecosystems over the years 2003-2021. They found that terrestrial net primary production increased at a rate of 0.2 billion metric tons of carbon per year, while marine net primary production declined by about 0.1 billion metric tons of carbon per year.

The study suggests that warming temperatures in higher latitudes and temperate regions led to an increase in primary production on land, mainly driven by plants in these areas. However, the opposite effect was observed in some ocean areas, where rising sea surface temperatures likely reduced primary production by phytoplankton in tropical and subtropical regions.

The findings have broad implications for planetary health and climate change mitigation. The researchers emphasize that declines in net primary production in tropical and subtropical oceans can weaken the foundation of tropical food webs, with cascading effects on biodiversity, fisheries, and local economies. Over time, these disruptions could also compromise the ability of tropical regions to function as effective carbon sinks.

The study points to the importance of coordinated monitoring of both land and ocean ecosystems as integrated components of Earth’s health. It highlights the need for long-term observations to better understand the dynamics of net primary production in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

The hidden climate battle between forests and the ocean is a crucial aspect of planetary health that requires attention from policymakers, scientists, and the public. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of addressing the complex interactions between land and ocean ecosystems to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our planet.