Cryoconite

With Kryokonit is called the windverfrachteten mineral and organic emissions from forest fires and various exhaust gases, such as coal-fired power plants, the sea ice (eg glaciers ) or long enduring snow fields in the high mountains accumulate. The dark dust coating accelerates due to the increased absorption of sunlight (see albedo) the melting of the underlying ice or snow. This may result in the ice surface, referred to as Kryokonitloch molds.

As is deposited in the resulting melt depressions preferably new dust, there is a self-reinforcing effect and with time arise in this way miles of gutters and often as deep tubes, partially offset by eating their way up to the glacier base. Not infrequently, the molds are filled during the summer with water and thus provide a habitat for cold-adapted microorganisms dar.

A main component is organic in nature such as the Kryokonits inter alia, bacteria, algae, and pollen ( pollen ), which can also be responsible for the dark or black color.

Etymology and history

The word Kryokonit is derived from the Greek words κρύος [ kryos ] for " Frost, Ice " and κουία for powder, powder or dust.

Was first described in the Kryokonit and the consequences of its deposits in 1870 by Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld who discovered the phenomenon during his expeditions in Greenland ice sheet.