The Movement of CO2 Through the Frozen World of Sea Ice
Every winter, a frozen blanket known as sea ice completely covers the Arctic Ocean. For centuries, sea ice has been viewed as a solid lid on the ocean that acts as a boundary to block gases traveling between the ocean and the atmosphere. However, scientific discoveries over recent years have shown t...
Published in: | Frontiers for Young Minds |
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Main Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2021
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/frym.2020.516072 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2020.516072/full |
Summary: | Every winter, a frozen blanket known as sea ice completely covers the Arctic Ocean. For centuries, sea ice has been viewed as a solid lid on the ocean that acts as a boundary to block gases traveling between the ocean and the atmosphere. However, scientific discoveries over recent years have shown that sea ice is more like a sponge, a porous substance that is also home to microscopic life forms. The pores in sea ice are filled with very salty liquid called brine that is rich in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). These liquid pockets create a network of tubes or channels that move gases like CO 2 , similar to the way veins and arteries move blood in our bodies. In this article, you will discover how CO 2 enters, exits, and is transformed in one of the harshest environments on Earth. |
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