Scientists have figured out what they consist of and why green icebergs are needed.

Most icebergs are white or blue.color, but at the beginning of the 20th century, sailors discovered another kind of ice blocks - they have a green tint. Their unusual appearance puzzled scientists for a long time, since they could not find a worthy explanation for it. After many years, the answer seems to have finally been found - researchers from the University of Washington announced that icebergs are painted green because of the abundance of iron oxide.

These oxides are taken from the bedrock of Antarctica -stones are crushed into powder under the influence of friction of glaciers and washed away into the sea by streams of cold water, and then these tiny particles become an integral part of green icebergs. In addition, they also include dissolved marine plants and animals that have long been swimming in the water.

Iron is an important food for aquatic creatures.like phytoplankton, but it is absent in many parts of the ocean. It is quite possible that green icebergs are the only source of iron for some sea creatures, so the researchers compared them with “waiters” who provide nutritious food to hungry organisms.

This is similar to the delivery of a parcel to the post office. An iceberg can deliver this iron to the far corners of the ocean, melt, and provide phytoplankton with adequate nutrition.

Stephen Warren, glaciologist

As a rule, green icebergs have relativelysmall size. At the same time, the area of ​​white ice blocks is sometimes amazing - for example, NASA recently discovered a lump of 1.7 thousand square kilometers. Its size can be compared with London, or even a small African country.

If you have something to say, then leave your comments below the news. If you want to constantly communicate with interesting people, we advise you to subscribe to our Telegram-chat.