While we have become accustomed to white snow falling from the sky, we have to get used to green emeralds falling from the sky, too. Reports describe colored snow that is of a greenish or pinkish hue, sparkling against the winter landscape. These observances have caused considerable concern, with the phenomenon being studied to determine what this colored snow could mean for the ecosystem.
What can be said of the snow turning green?
This colored snow is linked to microscopic algae that can thrive in colder and wetter weather. The snow algae contain pigments that tint the snow red, green, or orange. The effect is somewhat like “emeralds falling from the sky”. In fact, the phrase, “emeralds falling from the sky,” was coined by observers who saw this type of snow for the very first time.
In the United States, there has been mention of green or pinkish snow, but this type of snow is mostly spotted in the polar regions during spring melts. So far, there have been no reports of this type of snow being toxic. Many scientists suggest that people avoid direct contact with this snow or avoid consuming the green snow due to the possibility of this snow being contaminated.
For now, researchers seem to be looking towards Antarctica, where snow algae has been studied more in-depth and has been mapped on the continental scale.
The known beauty of this emerald-like snowfall
From a study that was published in the Nature Communications Journal, the green snow was responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With satellite data and extensive field observations, it was found that there were 1,679 separate blooms of green snow across the Antarctic Peninsula.
Such blooms covered about 1.9 square kilometers and absorbed about 479 tons of carbon dioxide through the process known as photosynthesis. While the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the green snow is relatively low, there is some undeniable ecological relevance to this green snow.
While photosynthesis is rather rare in Antarctica, the green snow had much relevance as it exploited meltwater rather than relying on exposed soil.
How does climate change have an impact on snow algae?
With the increase in temperatures, the distribution of snow algae in Antarctica and everywhere else will be affected. With climate change expected, the blooms may increase. This darker colored snow will also absorb more sunlight than the usual white snow.
The green snow, which seems ecologically beneficial, can also result in faster snow and ice loss, making its overall climate effect more complicated. For now, these processes have been mentioned by scientists to operate on a more regional scale.
For all those noticing this strangely colored snow, it serves as a reminder that winter landscapes can be sites of biological activity as well. Microscopic life is also learning how to adapt and deal with the smaller changes to its environment. With the first snow in the universe being captured, experts are left baffled about many things, including what climate change could mean for the algae blooms found closer to regions characterized by animal movement.
Algae are increasing closer to areas of animal activity
Further research on the blooms led to the discovery that more blooms are found closer to penguin colonies and bird nesting sites. This results as animal waste provides the right nutrients, nitrogen, and phospate neccessary for algal growth. With climate change, algae conditions may change too, since climate change will affect the bird and penguin populations that fertilize these blooms.
For now, green snow cannot be equated to environmental benefit, but can be seen as the result of an icy climate environment under pressure. With temperatures rising, scientists expect the phenomenon of green snow to become more common. However, scientists have yet to study the changing signals of the snowfields. Snow is less predictable now due to algae species, causing people in Utah to discover strange pink snow that turns orange.