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In spring, stretches of Antarctic sea ice melt to form pockets of open water called polynyas, which make perfect homes for phytoplankton. These marine microbes can become so abundant that they turn the water green.

Combining a model for studying fluid circulation called MITgcm with a model for studying biogeochemical processes called Biology Light Iron Nutrient and Gas (BLING), the researchers studied how the chlorophyll contained in these phytoplankton scatters sunlight and influences the temperature of the ocean.

Phytoplankton trap heat in the upper level of seawater, the researchers found. However, this heat dissipates back into the atmosphere over the course of the summer. Meanwhile, the phytoplankton also provide shade to deep water, keeping it cool and limiting the effect of sunlight on nearby ice shelves.

As a result, these ice shelves melt 7% more slowly when blooms are present than when the water is clear—that's helpful for ice shelves threatened by climate change.

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