Global warming is intensified by the heat retention exerted by the greenhouse gases, which act when solar radiation hits the Earth's surface. This solar radiation causes an increase in global temperatures, and its effect is magnified on clear days.
A recent study, carried out by scientists from the Institute of Marine Sciences of the CSIC, investigates the consequences of thawing in cloud formationBut what is the relationship between these phenomena?
Thaw of the Antarctic Ocean
According to the study's researchers, when ice melts due to high temperatures, atmospheric nitrogen is released. This atmospheric nitrogen is an important precursor for cloud formation. In addition, the study has identified particles originating from microscopic life that inhabits sea ice and surrounding waters.
As it is well known, The melting of the polar ice caps is accelerating due to global warming and climate change.This phenomenon not only contributes to rising sea levels, but can also promote the emission of substances that aid in cloud formation, something that has been analyzed in depth in the context of the melting of Larsen C and in the Totten GlacierThis variable has been ignored in many previous studies on polar climate.
To fully understand the impacts of this phenomenon, a thorough analysis of the interactions between the ocean, ice, atmosphere, and living organisms is essential. This complex climate system depends on delicate balances and often unstable.
Evidence suggests that while melting ice can have adverse effects on the environment, it could also be a positive factor. With improved cloud formation, solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface could be reduced, helping to moderate global temperatures. Furthermore, An increase in rainfall could alleviate drought in many regions of the world and promote the growth of vegetation, which is a factor to be taken into account in the context of the climate changeThis vegetation also influences the formation of new clouds, creating a cycle that can contribute to a more balanced climate.
The PI-ICE 2019 study
A new study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, led by the Institute of Marine Sciences of the CSIC and the University of Birmingham, has discovered that the melting of Antarctica reinforces the formation of aerosol sprays in the atmosphere, which in turn favors cloud formation in summer. This phenomenon is crucial, as clouds play a vital role in regulating the planet's temperature by reflecting and filtering solar radiation. Without the presence of these clouds, the global climate would be dramatically warmer. The process of cloud formation is complex and influenced by several variables, including the composition of aerosols in the atmosphere.
However, despite the importance of these dynamics in climate regulation, the precise mechanism of cloud formation is poorly understood, limiting the accuracy of future climate projections.
To develop this work, the research team used data collected during the PI-ICE 2019 Antarctic campaign, which lasted more than three months and was led by ICM researcher Manuel Dall'Osto. This campaign analyzed airborne particles in the region surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula, which is essential for understanding the historic melting of the ice and how the melting of the Antarctic Ocean influences cloud formation.
Researchers found that when air masses originate from the sea ice margin, aerosol formation episodes are significantly more frequent. This is because these air masses contain elevated concentrations of sulfuric acid y amines, biological compounds that interact to transform from gases to particles. This finding is significant because, although the role of sulfuric acid in aerosol formation was already known, This study confirms the essential role of amines, which are produced from the degradation of organic matter present in the microorganisms that inhabit the sea ice.
The relevance of organic nitrogen
“We knew the importance of organic nitrogen for aerosol and cloud formation in terrestrial environments, but during the 2019 PI-ICE expedition, we were able to demonstrate its relevance in Antarctica,” says Dall'Osto. This discovery not only highlights the impact of sea ice microorganisms on cloud formation, but also calls for a review of existing climate models that underestimate the effect of marine life on climate regulation.
The study has shown that the increasing melting of the Antarctic Ocean ice sheet during summers, driven by global warming, could increase the release of aerosol- and cloud-forming substances. This phenomenon was observed in another study conducted in the Arctic, underscoring the need for a holistic look at the interactions between the ocean, ice, atmosphere, and life, especially in the broader context of the global climate change.
The research team plans to conduct a new scientific expedition in 2023 to further explore this complex climate machinery and better understand the interrelationships between the different components of the climate system.
Implications for the future
Antarctica is currently experiencing a drastic climate change, which is difficult to predict. Part of this challenge stems from a lack of understanding of how ecosystem changes will affect aerosol and cloud formation. Current climate models tend to underestimate cloud cover over the Southern Ocean and, therefore, overestimate the amount of solar radiation reaching these cold waters, which is crucial for understanding the impact of melting ice.
Therefore, the publication of research like this is essential to improve future climate projections. As climate change continues, it is crucial to develop a deeper understanding of the natural processes that affect the global climate, including their interactions with the environment. melting of Antarctica.
The various studies carried out on the subject have highlighted the need for international collaboration in climate change research, as well as the importance of investing in scientific campaigns that allow for a better understanding of these complex phenomena, such as those studied in the context of the increase in clouds in the Arctic.
The PI-ICE campaign, for example, was funded by the Spanish National Research Agency (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and has involved a diverse group of research institutions and universities, reflecting the global commitment to understanding and addressing climate change.
The melting of the Southern Ocean not only contributes to ice loss but can also significantly influence cloud formation, a phenomenon that could have both positive and negative effects on the global climate. It is essential to continue investigating these dynamics to better predict the future of our planet.
