A team of scientists from the US are studying high-altitude lakes in the Central Andes as global warming hot spots , and their ability to sustain life in a highly dynamic environment.
A team of scientists from the US are studying high-altitude lakes in the Central Andes as global warming "hot spots", and their ability to sustain life in a highly dynamic environment.
The group is studying high altitude lakes, which are considered "hot spots" of global warming and its effects, such as loss of precipitation (50 percent in 50 years in some parts), glacier retreat, and increased impact of UV radiation in bodies of water that evaporate.
Soil may Release Less CO2 Than Expected Due to Global Warming
A new study of Australian soils has indicated that as the climate warns, soils may not release as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as predictions have suggested.
A new study of Australian soils has indicated that as the climate warns, soils may not release as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as predictions have suggested.
"I'm collecting information on the lakes and the watersheds that surround them, including the transparency of the water, the zooplankton that live in the lakes, and the materials in the water that control transparency," said Miami University zoology grad student Kevin Rose.
"One of the main goals of the project is to use the lakes as analogs to what potentially existed on Mars millions of years ago. By examining the most extreme environments on Earth, such as extremely high UV, low oxygen, low temperatures, and low pH, we can infer what life, if it existed, may have had to deal with on Mars," he explained.
Critical Component of Climate Change Could be Water Vapor
Using recent NASA satellite data, researchers have estimated more precisely than ever the heat-trapping effect of water in the air, validating the role of water vapor as a critical
Using recent NASA satellite data, researchers have estimated more precisely than ever the heat-trapping effect of water in the air, validating the role of water vapor as a critical
"Very few places in the world have the extreme conditions found here," said Rose.
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Global Warming Predictions may be Exaggerated
Computer climate models, has suggested that those models may be overestimating global warming predictions after detailed analysis of black carbon.
Computer climate models, has suggested that those models may be overestimating global warming predictions after detailed analysis of black carbon.
According to Rose, understanding the response of these lakes and life adaptation to rapid changes may hold important clues to forecasting the evolution of other threatened terrestrial lakes, and possibly finding solutions to global warming.
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Study Claims Recent Climate Change More Significant Than Ever
A new study has determined that while Earth experienced numerous changes in climate over the past 65 million years, recent decades have experienced the most significant climate change
A new study has determined that while Earth experienced numerous changes in climate over the past 65 million years, recent decades have experienced the most significant climate change
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