Snow Algae Found to Accelerate Antarctic Ice Shelf Melting Snow algae, a microorganism found in Antarctica, has been shown to accelerate ice sheet melting. These microscopic algae thrive in snow and ice as extremophiles, capable of surviving in harsh, cold environments. When present in high concentrations, they turn snow red, reducing its reflectivity—known as ‘albedo’—and accelerating melt. A recent study led by Dr. Liang Dong from the Aerospace Information […] Climate Joseph Kaufmann | September 4, 2025 1 Comment
Harmful Algal Bloom Found in Zion National Park, UT River When Dog Died After Swimming Anatoxin-a, a nervous system cyanotoxin, and harmful cyanobacteria have been found in the North Fork of the Virgin River in Zion National Park. Related: Death of a Dog Leads to Testing of South Shore Lake Tahoe, CA for Toxic Blue-Green Algae On Saturday, July 4, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and the National […] SnowBrains | July 16, 2020 0 Comments
A Crater Lake In India Quickly Changed From Green To Pink A crater lake in west-central India quickly changed from green to pink, and experts believe salinity and algae are the reasons. NASA revealed through photographs how the waters of Lake Lonar went from green to pink in just a matter of days. For now, the reason why remains a mystery. According to the Indian site Economic Times, the change in the […] Brains Sebastian Opazo | July 10, 2020 0 Comments
The Italian Alps Are Turning Pink Due To Algae That Increases Melting Ice Snow in the Italian Alps is turning pink due to algae that absorb sunlight and increase the risk of ice melting. A group of Italian scientists analyzed the mysterious phenomenon of pink color on glacial ice in the Alps, probably caused by algae that would accelerate the effect of climate change. The origin of the algae is controversial, but the pink […] Brains Sebastian Opazo | July 9, 2020 0 Comments
WNDR Alpine Takes a Whole New Approach to Ski Manufacturing Matt Sterbenz, the founder of 4FRNT skis and WNDR Alpine, has broken new ground in the world of ski manufacturing. Taking an innovative and sustainable approach, Sterbenz, who was creatively inspired by a plant-based composite focused company known as Checkerspot, put forth the idea of building skis constructed partially from algae. Contrary to the more traditionally used materials, such as […] Brains Emily Crofton | February 15, 2020 0 Comments
Death of a Dog Leads to Testing of South Shore Lake Tahoe, CA for Toxic Blue-Green Algae A dog has died following swimming in Lake Tahoe prompting officials to conduct tests to determine if a toxic form of algae is present on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe, reports the Tahoe Daily Tribune. Related: Annual ‘Tahoe: State of the Lake Report’ | Temperature Rising, Clarity Improving, Aspens Dwindling A person reported last week that their dog had died […] SnowBrains | August 27, 2019 2 Comments
Remaining Snow in Sierra Nevada is Turning Blood Red After a big snow year, snow still remains at higher elevations. And it’s turning red! This reddish-colored snow is called watermelon snow, but can also be referred to as blood snow or red snow. Related: Yosemite, CA High Country Wilderness Now Accessible to Campers and Hikers It may be August, but there is still plenty of snow and ice above 9,500 […] Weather SnowBrains | August 8, 2019 0 Comments
“Watermelon Snow” Is Accelerating The Speed At Which Glaciers Melt According to a study published in Nature Communications, there are certain species of green algae that thrive in snow, that actually take on a red hue, as does the snow they’re residing in. As they take over the snow, they reduce the reflectivity or “albedo” of the snow or ice, which accelerates the rate at which they melt. This is horrible […] Industry News Chris Wallner | June 27, 2016 0 Comments
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