Nature

At the time of the measurement, which was made in 2001, the height was 4810.4 m. In 2003 it decreased by 2 metres and in 2007 it increased again to 4810 m. After 12 years, the mountain has decreased to 4808.73m.

The altitude is influenced by the wind at the summit as well as the level of snow cover. In the last decade, global warming has added to these factors. As researcher L. Ravanel said, the highest point of the Alps decreased after two periods of hot summers, when the temperature in the mountains was with the “plus” mark.

According to the scientist, it is now necessary to monitor whether Mont Blanc will continue to shrink in the coming years or whether it will grow again after 2-4 years.

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In just a couple of years, as much ice has melted as it did between 1960 and 1990. According to researchers, glaciers are melting at a truly terrifying rate.

As the head of the monitoring centre M. Huss said, this year risks becoming the 2nd in terms of ice loss due to warm summer, abnormal heat in September and low snowfall in winter. In his opinion, the recent sharp drop in temperature and snowfall in the mountains can correct the situation.

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Pando occupies an area of about 0.4 square kilometres and has a dry mass of about 6,000 tonnes. Outwardly, it looks like a sprawling forest with more than 40 thousand trunks. However, the plants are actually genetically identical and they share a common root system.Pando is an important species, providing the foundation for the entire ecosystem and supporting hundreds of other species.

Recent research has revealed that animals are preventing young shoots from reaching maturity, posing a threat to the unique organism.

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The polymer, wood and water samples collected by the scientists contained a number of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. The plastic and wood contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter and Aeromonas species. These are generally safe for a healthy person, but can be deadly for those with weakened immune systems. In the water they found already more dangerous Salmonella and Streptococcus.

In addition, all of the microbes identified were resistant to antibiotics.

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Over 90 per cent of the excess heat produced by humans is absorbed by the ocean. This is helping to curb planetary warming, but it also has negative consequences. Marine ecosystems are facing severe heat stress, with the potential for extinction of many species.

Researchers analysed ocean temperature data from the 1950s to the present. They found that warming since 2010 has been twice as fast as from 1990 to 2000.

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