© предоставлено пресс-службой ТГУ
TOMSK, Aug 15 – RIA Tomsk. Tomsk and
Italian scientists are studying ticks and microorganisms in the Altai
Mountains, sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations; the obtained
data will allow to estimate the dynamics of melting of the Aktru glacier, the
press service of Tomsk State University (TSU), whose employee participates in
the project, said on Tuesday.
It is specified
that the scientist of Biological Institute of TSU Andrey Babenko will study the
species list of ticks and insects populating the earth's surface after the
retreat of the Aktru glacier. In parallel to this, an Italian expert studying
the ecosystems of the Arctic and Antarctic, Stefan Ventura will study
microorganisms: they are the first to inhabit lifeless spaces exempted from
ice.
"Assessing
different biological indicators which are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature
and humidity in the area, scientists will try to "catch" evidence of
global climate change", – is said in the report.
© РИА Томск. Юлия Лукманова
The data
collected during the project will help to assess the dynamics of glacier
melting, to understand what changes in the environment may occur due to the
reduction of ice cover. Scientists made the first sampling in July during an
expedition to the Altai Mountains.
"While we
are at the beginning of the road, as data is accumulated, it will be possible
to analyze, identify trends in the melting of the glacier, try to understand
what it caused and what are the possible consequences for the environment. It
is interesting to compare the results obtained on the Maliy Aktru glacier with
the data, available at Stefano Ventura on melting glaciers of Greenland and
Scandinavia", – Babenko is quoted in the message.
According to
researchers, recently the Maliy Aktru glacier has been moving back to 57-60
meters per year. Perhaps this year will be put "anti-record": its
reduction can make be about 100 meters.