Algae in the Antarctic Ocean contribute to reducing carbon dioxide
2008/02/26 04:15 44 (GMT) Nakagawa Makoto＠Manila, Philippines
Phytoplankton is known to absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. And during the latest Antarctic expedition that took place from November to February 4th as part of the International Polar Year 2007 - 2008, lead by the Alfred Wegener Institute, in which many researchers from all over the world took part, it was found that large quantities of plankton algae (a type of phytoplankton) in the Antarctic Ocean are greatly contributing to reducing carbon dioxide on the surface of the Antarctic Ocean.
In this expedition, it became known that:
1. Ice that has melted on the Antarctic Ocean makes freshwater pools on the ocean's surface where large quantities of algae grow. The intergrowth measures approximately 700,000 square kilometer or about twice the size of Germany.
2. The concentration of carbon dioxide on the water's surface where the algae grow is very low.
There is also research underway to find out about the effects on the underwater environment the algae that sinks to the seabed after photosynthesis may have. And for the first time, Antarctic Ocean seawater samples from all layers of the sea from the surface to the seabed were collected. The positive effect Antarctica may have on climate change may become clearer in the future.
Nakagawa Makoto
Manila, Philippines
After taking Development Studies in the UK, I worked for the National
Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan
. In order to truly understand the
situation in developing countries, I joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers and
was assigned to Cebu in the Philippines. During my assignment in Cebu, I
met my husband and decided to stay in Manila. My current plan is to take a
graduate course in Marine Biology in the Philippines. I hope I can
contribute to a better natural environment for marine and human life.
