In search of red snow https://microscopesandmonsters.wordpress.com/2025/01/26/in-search-of-red-snow/

"#SnowAlgae have been known for a long time – the earliest records of #RedSnow are from the alps in the late 18th century, and they were first recognised as #algae about 40 years later when an expedition was exploring the North-West passage. There have since been records from all over the world... snow algae have a window of opportunity in spring when the snow starts melting, and there is both sunshine & water which they can use to photosynthesise"

New Map Reveals the Extent of Vegetation in Antarctica https://eos.org/articles/new-map-reveals-the-extent-of-vegetation-in-antarctica

"Scientists have now mapped out vegetation across the whole of coastal #Antarctica. Patches of vascular #plants, #bryophytes, #lichens, and #algae dot ice-free areas, and green #SnowAlgae cover sections of coastal snowpack... More than 40 square kilometers of vegetation cover Antarctica, including in previously unknown areas. A new map offers fresh insights for #conservation amid #ClimateChange."

New study investigates threat of #WatermelonSnow to mountain glaciers https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/algae-watermelon-snow-mountain-glacier-research-1.7074420

Satellite mapping of red snow on North American glaciers https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adi3268

"The study found that the red-pigmented #algae blooms contribute to glacial melt. However, #GlobalWarming poses a far greater threat to mountain #glaciers and to the surprisingly complex microscopic ecosystems that allow #SnowAlgae to colonize them."

Interesting listening to #BBCScotland Scotland Outdoors just now.

In the segment on snow, the presenter Mark Stephen talked about colours of snow and mentioned watermelon snow - the colour is due to microalgae. More specifically the red carotenoids in them they use to protect themselves from intense light

🦠🍉 #SnowAlgae #Snowstodon #Icestodon