Greenland Ice Sheet

The Greenland Ice Sheet is the world’s second largest ice body that accounts for around 79 per cent of Greenland’s territory. It had remained in place as far back as 18 million years ago. If it were to completely melt, the sea levels could rise by 7.2 metres.

High levels of mercury were detected recently in water bodies fed by the Greenland Ice Sheet. These pollutants were found in the rivers and fjords of Southwestern Greenland. They were similar to those found in the polluted inland waters in China. Bioaccumulation has led to these toxic substances entering the food webs and adversely impacting the Arctic ecosystem.