Studies on Algae Bloom Outbreaks in Greenland Raise Awareness of Rising Sea Levels
Updated: Jul 9
Student Summary By Olivia Hwang
Original Source: Sachi Kitajima Mulkey, New York Times, January 30, 2026
Image Photographed By Olivia Hwang
Abstract
Background:
Climate change continues to be an ever-growing concern, as increasing temperatures lead to the rapid melting of ice formations. Greenland's ice sheet has been losing hundreds of billions of tons of ice each year, which has caused sea levels to rise at an accelerated rate. Studies have also predicted that sea levels would increase by 23 feet if Greenland's ice sheet were to melt, submerging coastal areas. Additionally, it has been discovered that patches of algae have accelerated the melting process. These algae blooms are darker in color on Greenland's ice, weakening its ability to reflect the sun's light and therefore trapping the heat in the ice and speeding up melting.
Objective:
Researchers wanted to investigate in depth the dark patches of algae growing on the surface of the ice to uncover how they spread and continue to grow.
Method:
Independent studies used a mix of different strategies, including collecting windblown dust and samples from the ice sheet that they analyzed under microscopes.
Result:
The studies found that phosphorus (a chemical element essential for all life) detected in dust—which was previously found in 2021 to support algae blooms—is coming from a narrow piece of land around the edge of Greenland, where the dust is being swept inland by the wind. They also discovered that nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen in the dust have continuously embedded themselves in the layers of ice, which the ice builds up and freezes over time. They then deduced that when the layers of ice melt, the nutrients are released and become a source of energy for algae blooms. Furthermore, researchers noticed that microscopic algae are being carried through the air, a possible reason as to how algae blooms are able to colonize new areas of ice.
Conclusion:
These studies are important because researchers were able to further understand the consequences of algae blooms on ice and the rate of melting. With coastal cities at risk of being submerged, these studies offered more clues to allow for the next steps in finding solutions. (Note: researchers have admitted that it is too soon to gauge the full consequences of these algae blooms, but they are set to learn more about how these clues would increase sea levels.)
