Melting glaciers could speed up release of carbon into atmosphere, study finds

Lead author says research shows ‘unexpected form of climate feedback’, Zoe Tidman reports

A glacier-fed river below Mount Cook in New Zealand (PA)

Melting glaciers could accelerate carbon emissions into the atmosphere, according to a new study.

This is down to the impact on the breakdown of complex carbon molecules in rivers, scientists have said.

Through this process, melting glaciers could contribute further to climate change, the research suggests.