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Forests of filamentous algae that grow just beneath Arctic Sea ice are falling to the ocean floor earlier in the year than ever before. There, they provide unexpected fuel to a typically nutrient-poor environment, potentially altering the dynamics of the deep-sea ecosystem, according to new research. Climate change, which has already contributed to thinner summer sea ice coverage, increased sunlight penetration, and accelerated melting in the Arctic, is likely a key factor in the ecological shift. [Source: The Scientist]
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