A new study from the University of Washington indicates that phytoplankton populations in the North Atlantic have remained stable since the industrial era, challenging previous assumptions of significant declines and highlighting the impact of industrial pollutants on atmospheric chemistry. The research, which analyzed 800-year-old ice cores, contradicts previous studies that suggested a 10% decline in ocean productivity in the North Atlantic during the industrial era. The study’s findings suggest that phytoplankton populations may be more stable than previously thought. The researchers used ice core analysis to measure several sulfur-containing molecules in central Greenland ice cores dating back to 1200-2006, showing that human-produced pollutants have changed the chemistry of the atmosphere. This also changed the fate of the gases released by phytoplankton. The study warns that marine ecosystems remain under threat from multiple directions and calls for further research to gain a more complete understanding of phytoplankton abundance and atmospheric chemistry changes over time.
Source: scitechdaily.com
