A new study conducted in Greenland is shedding new light on melting ice sheets.

According to a study published in the Nature Communications journal, the bare-ice ablation zone is acting differently than previously thought. "Climate models traditionally assume that all bare-ice runoff enters the ocean, unlike porous firn, in which some meltwater is retained and/or refrozen," it stated. 

What's happening?

It is now believed that bare ice can act like firn ice, which is more porous, and snow. Bare ice is credited with contributing to the rising sea level. However, bare ice can also retain water and refreeze. The climate models are not accounting for this, so they are overestimating ice sheet runoff.

According to the study, "direct measurements of supraglacial runoff are overestimated by 21%-58% during peak summer melt conditions."

The study added: "Ice sheet mass changes are overestimated by 21%-47% relative to … satellite gravity retrievals, and satellite laser altimetry measurements indicate that surface melt rates are overestimated by 14%-40%."

Why is the miscalculation of ice sheet melt concerning?

It's crucial that the climate models accurately calculate rising sea levels to help residents in the places that are going to be most affected. The Intergovernmental Panel estimates that the sea level will rise between 1.4 and 2.8 feet, but 6.6 feet isn't being ruled out by 2100.

If worst-case scenarios come true, the Carolinas in the U.S. are most at risk, since three North Carolina coastal counties would be submerged in water. Charleston, South Carolina, could form new islands. Additionally, the Florida Keys, some of Miami, New York City, and Long Island would all be engulfed.

Unfortunately, the Florida Keys have already experienced the consequences of rising sea levels, as they have contributed to the extinction of the Key Largo tree cactus. The rising sea levels have caused an increase in salinity in Key Largo plants, which is above the levels they are used to. 

What's being done about rising sea levels?

Studies like the one published in the Nature Communications journal are crucial for understanding the melting of ice sheets. It's one of many critical climate issues that need to be explored to better understand how to combat them.

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