algae

As someone who blogs to you all frequently about algae, it is with great enthusiasm that I write a few words about the 'blob' that appeared in Chukchi Sea, Alaska. The 'blob' or sometimes referred to as the 'glob'  or the 'goo', is 12 miles long of black filamentous, or 'hairy' plant life. It was discovered in a far end of Alaska. The growth of algae is a natural occurrance, and this particular strain is considered at this point, aside from trapping a few jellyfish, to be non-toxic.

The growth of algae is a response to the way light and nutrients combine in water. These conditions may include an area of low water level, creating a surface algae. Algae grows very quickly once the perfect conditions present themselves. So what does it all mean? Well, that is yet to come, but it is possible that this algae form is natures response to global warming in a more positive way than we are used to concluding when we hear the phrase ' response to global warming'.

Check out GEOENGINEERING WOWS on this web-site, where it is noted that when the cold water from below is pumped up to produce surface algae the result is one of the greatest cleaners of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. What suggests this is a possibility is the remote location of the origin of 'the blob', an area where the surface water is extremely cold. Cold water causes algae to bloom, blooming algae cleans carbon dioxide from greenhouse gasses. This cold, cold water which exists right on the surface combining with sunlight, at the intensity it is at these days with the factors of global warming, and the right nutrients and voila, it's the blob! Allowed to grow undisturbed, the growth begins and the algae is undeterred from it's mission.

However, certainly only blanket statements from scientists are currently available, because the analysis will take some time. What we do know is best summed up by 'Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Hasenauer (who) says, "It's certainly biological. It's definitely not an oil product of any kind. It has no characteristics of an oil, or a hazardous substance, for that matter. It's definitely, by the smell and the makeup of it, it's some sort of naturally occurring organic or otherwise marine organism.' The Blob

One of the biggest 'wows' you'll find is after you read about James Lovelock, along with Chris Rapley's idea in the works to 'stimulate the Earth to cure itself -- see Newspapers are Online Brands

It all comes back to Algae.  It's really great to know that slimy stuff that can surprise you off your raft and creep you out as it slithers around your calfs has a magnificent purpose that's being taken to a whole new level.  

They do this all with pipes that pump up the cool water from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the ocean, bringing the nutrients along with it, mixing and creating the blooming algae. Algae blooming in vast amounts to absorb carbon dioxide greenhouse gas. In addition, the algae releases a 'chemical called dimethyl sulphide that is know to seed sunlight reflecting clouds.'

Another factor that makes this technique a big wow for me, is the perspective behind it. Lovelock and Rapley are trying to boost the ecology, speed up what's already naturally taking place, to neutralize some of the damage, where we got ahead of nature. In this way, it doesn't seem to be a band-aid or a promise, but an appropriate response that would provide some real results.

Factors to consider include how the engineering would directly effect the immediate ecology, the ocean itself, and this factor is something they are still exploring. But the exploration is hopeful. The scientists seem to be thinking their solution just needs to be given a chance, that the risks are low enough to put the plan into action.

Obviously anything that can be done sooner than later should be done sooner than later, given the global climate circumstances. It's amazing the ideas that scientists, and people are coming up with, and this one just might work!