Greenland

Greenland: According to a new study, Over 7,500 lakes in western Greenland have turned brown, emitted carbon, and lost water quality due to extreme weather events in 2022.

  • Key highlights of the Study:

o Impact of Extreme Weather: Thawing permafrost released carbon, iron, magnesium, and other elements, turning lakes from carbon sinks to CO2 sources.

o Cause: Warmer temperatures caused fall snow to turn into rain, and atmospheric rivers brought excessive rain and heat, speeding up changes in lakes.

o Rapid Change: Transformation of the lakes occurred in months, usually taking centuries.

o Impact on Water Quality: Increased organic carbon changed lakes' color, odor, and taste, affecting drinking water quality and possibly producing carcinogenic by-products.

o Impact on Phytoplankton: Reduced sunlight hindered phytoplankton's carbon absorption, leading to a 350% increase in CO2 emissions from the lakes.

o Broader Significance: Declining carbon absorption by natural sinks signals worsening climate change impacts.
o Rising Carbon Emissions: Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to reach 41.6 billion metric tonnes in 2024.

  • About: Greenland is the world's largest island, situated between North America and Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean.

o Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and also part of the North American continent.

  • Surrounding Oceans: Arctic Ocean to the north, Greenland Sea to the east, North Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, Davis Strait to the southwest, and Baffin Bay to the west.

Climate: Polar climate with winter temperatures as low as -50°C and summer temperatures rarely exceeding 10–15°C. Temperature variations occur due to its large size.