Tag: carbon cycle
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Chemistry in Pictures: Tiny Ocean Engineers
Introduction: The Micro Architects of the Sea From the shimmering surface to the dark depths, the ocean hosts countless tiny builders whose work quietly sustains the global climate. Coccolithophores are among the most remarkable of these microscopic engineers. These single-celled marine algae construct intricate calcium carbonate shells—the unmistakable plates, spines, and lattice-like coverings that give…
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Chemistry in Pictures: Tiny Ocean Engineers and the Carbon Sequestration Plankton
Introduction: The quiet architects of the carbon cycle In the vast and dynamic marine realm, microscopic algae perform outsized roles. Among them, coccolithophores—tiny, single-celled plankton with plated, spiky exteriors—stand out for their chemistry-rich contributions to Earth’s climate system. These “tiny ocean engineers” pull carbon dioxide from seawater and convert it into calcium carbonate shells, constructing…
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After 40,000 Years, Microbes Are Awakening From Thawing Permafrost
Waking the Long-Frozen Microbes: A Window into the Arctic’s Hidden Life In a discovery that blends microbiology with climate science, researchers report that microbes buried in Alaskan permafrost for tens of thousands of years are reawakening as the freezer-like ground thaws. Some of these organisms have been trapped for as long as 40,000 years, yet…
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Permafrost Microbes Awake After 40,000 Years
Ancient life in thawing ground raises climate questions In a striking reminder that the Arctic is not just cold but also a living archive, researchers report that microbes trapped in Alaskan permafrost for up to 40,000 years have reawakened. The discovery comes from samples taken from a deep, dark corridor known as the Permafrost Tunnel…
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Permafrost Awakening: Microbes Reignite Arctic Emissions
Ancient Life Comes Back to Life in a Modern Climate Experiment In a startling glimpse of how the Arctic may respond to a warming world, researchers have revived microbes trapped in permafrost for up to 40,000 years. The study, conducted with samples from a deep underground Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility near Alaska, shows that frozen…
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Hidden Climate Thermostats Could Accelerate or Alter the Timing of the Next Ice Age
Overview: A Two-Thermostat View of Earth’s Climate Scientists have long explored how Earth naturally regulates its climate on geological timescales. The classic model centers on the silicate weathering feedback: when the planet warms and rain increases, CO2 is drawn down through chemical reactions with silicate rocks, ultimately storing carbon in oceans and sediments. This slow…
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Reindeer Grazing Stabilizes Carbon in Finland’s North
When reindeer graze, forests breathe a little easier Not all climate heroes wear capes. Some sport antlers. A four-year study conducted in Finland’s northern wilderness reveals that reindeer grazing can help stabilize the carbon stored in soil and understory plants beneath boreal forests. Published in Science of the Total Environment, the research shows that the…
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Why climate scientists spent 4 years tracking reindeer through Finland’s northern wilderness
Reindeer grazing as a quiet climate stabilizer In the vast, snow-blanketed forests of Finland’s north, a surprising ally in the fight against climate change wears antlers. A four-year research project published in Science of the Total Environment reveals that reindeer grazing helps stabilize the carbon stored in the understory and soil of northern coniferous forests.…
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Reindeer and Carbon: Finland’s Forest Carbon Stabilizers
Reindeer and the carbon cycle in Finland’s north Not all climate heroes wear capes. Some sport antlers. A recent study published in Science of the Total Environment shows that reindeer grazing in Finland’s northern forests may help stabilise the carbon stored in soil and understory vegetation. By grazing through snow-covered undergrowth, these arctic herbivores influence…