Researchers have noted the strange arrival of pink ice covering large swathes of a northern Italian glacier–and its appearance could spell disaster. While nature lovers and snow sports enthusiasts hold the Presena glacier as a breathtaking vacation destination, the icy mountain could be telling us more about climate change than we realize.
According to Biago Di Mauro of Italy’s National Research Council, the algae isn’t dangerous–as far as the plant itself. The same or similar species is also present in Greenland. However, the darkening of the glacier because of the algae bloom could cause the rapid melting of ice. (1)
Pink Ice And Glacier Melt
The pink ice blanketing parts of the snowy slopes of the Presena look beautiful at first glance. A rosy hue, as if someone sprinkled a fine powdery blush over the landscape, sparkles against the blinding white of the ice. While the scene is intriguing, the prevalence of the Chlamydomonas nivalis algae doesn’t bode well in the ongoing study on climate change.
Di Mauro notes that the pink ice’s presence is “a natural phenomenon that occurs during the spring and summer periods in the middle latitudes but also at the Poles.” In Greenland, glacier algae bloom is a normal part of the cold-weather life cycle. However, an increase in the tiny plant has created a “dark zone” in Greenland, causing ice to melt rapidly. The organisms inhibit the reflection of the sun’s radiation back into the atmosphere–causing the ice to melt much quicker. According to researchers, melting glaciers are the largest contributor to rising sea levels. (1, 2)
Why do sea levels matter? Rising sea levels affect coastal areas, from the people that live there to natural habitats of fish, animals, and insects. For example, 40% of the U.S. population lives in coastal zones that are often densely populated. Throughout the globe, 8 of the world’s 10 largest cities are situated near the coast. An increase in water levels causes destructive flooding, shoreline erosion, and hazards from powerful storms. These events often cause millions of dollars of damages in disaster relief, cleanup, and repair and rebuilding efforts. (3)
Efforts To Slow The Melting Of The Alps
Before the pink ice phenomenon appeared on the Presena glacier, scientists were hard at work to slow the melt. Since 1993, the glacier had already lost more than 1/3 of its volume. To protect the snow and ice during increasingly hot summer months, large geotextile tarps are laid every year over more than 1 million square feet of the glacier. Covering as much of the area as possible helps to slow down melt. (4)
The pink ice presents a new challenge to the Italian glacier. For now, researchers like Di Mauro are continuing to study the algae and get a better picture of how the bloom affects climate change. While their research may not change the effects of darkening ice due to algae, the data adds to mounting evidence that human-fueled warming of the atmosphere is altering our earth drastically–and will continue to if carbon emissions aren’t reduced.
