Our planet Earth is an interesting creation. That should come as no surprise!

Just this past week I read of oceanographers who have discovered that marine ecosystems on drifting icebergs actually absorb carbon dioxide in the air.

Wouldn't it be fascinating if the Earth has, completely without the assistance of mankind, found a way to reduce "harmful" effects of greenhouse gases?

In fact, one oceanographer wrote this about these icebergs, "One important consequence of the increased biological productivity is that free-floating icebergs can serve as a route for carbon dioxide drawdown and sequestration of particulate carbon as it sinks into the deep sea."

These "new" marine ecosystems, which have accumulated as far out as several miles, develop because the creatures are attracted to the dirt, dust and other trace nutrients that are released as the iceberg melts. These materials are full of nutrients that various forms of marine life feed on.

What kind of marine life are we talking about? Phytoplankton, krill, algae and seabirds, along with large numbers of fish.

What happens, according to the report I read, is that the icebergs use up carbon from the air, converting it into plants and other organic material that are released into the oceans and eaten by marine life.

According to a study done by U.S. oceanographer Kenneth L. Smith, Jr., of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, these icebergs could remove a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the local area.

In the study conducted by Smith there were 962 icebergs. No telling how many icebergs there are around the globe.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Mother Nature has found a way of taking care of herself, which is not to say that we should not be good stewards of our Earth and the life on it.

Still, she is a fascinating creation.

Jack Rollins is the managing editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat.