E

Each winter, when the temperatures decrease, the IJsmeester (ice master) in villages across the Netherlands strategically begins to cover a field with water, creating multiple thin layers of ice that result in a flawless outdoor skating rink.

A new company from the Netherlands is proposing to utilize the same method to address a significant environmental issue: the melting of the Arctic ice and its harmful impact on the environment.

“In frigid temperatures, the IJsmeesters embark on a frenzied competition to be the first village to host an ice skating marathon,” explains Fonger Ypma, CEO of Arctic Reflections. “They flood a field with a thin layer of water that freezes into ice, and each night they add on more layers. Once the ice is thick enough, they begin skating. This represents our cultural background.”

According to the WWF, the Arctic ice is decreasing by around 13% every ten years, leading climate experts to caution that the Arctic will likely experience summers without ice by 2050. This, combined with the noticeable melting of polar bears’ habitats and the potential harm to the Indigenous communities that depend on the Arctic environment, sparked a bold idea for Ypma.

According to him, the Arctic serves as a reflective barrier for the Earth and plays a significant role in global warming due to the planet’s surface becoming darker.

2 levels go down?”

I pondered if there was a method to preserve the ice sheet for a longer period until carbon dioxide levels decrease.₂

Can the levels lower and the ice replenish? I had an innocent thought: what if we pumped water over it?

Cannot reword

After consulting with professionals, Ypma discovered that he was not the only one considering this idea. He viewed the previous research on the topic as a reassuring indication that he was not alone in his thinking.

One company, Arctic Reflections, is interested in utilizing a method that is currently being utilized in various locations for different reasons. This method involves using wind-powered pumps to create ice roads in Canada and Finland, as well as for oil exploration in the Arctic using diesel pumps. In 2016, Steven Desch and a team from Arizona State University suggested constructing 10m wind-powered pumps over the Arctic ice cap in order to bring water to the surface during the winter season, potentially increasing the ice by one meter.

Ypma recently became a part of Real Ice, a subsidiary of Bangor University with a similar concept. The team conducted field trials in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, Canada with a 600-watt water pump powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The not-for-profit organization drilled through the ice, extracted seawater, and allowed it to refreeze on the surface in temperatures as low as -50C (-58F).

Currently, the ice measures approximately one meter in thickness, according to co-chief executive of Real Ice, Andrea Ceccolini. By freezing the top layer, which contains snow, an additional 10-20cm will be added. As a result, the ice will continue to thicken as the removal of the snow removes insulation that hinders its growth.

Ceccolini has a goal of creating an aquatic unmanned vehicle capable of operating in -1.5C water. The drone should be able to determine the thickness of ice, extract water as needed, refuel, and continue to its next destination. According to Ceccolini, showcasing this capability across 100 square kilometers per day with 50 drones will prove its potential to be scaled up to cover even larger areas.

The purpose is focused on a specific area, to replenish the sea ice in a location known as a prime spot for fishing in Inuit culture. “Our success will heavily rely on our ability to connect with the community in this area,” explains Cian Sherwin, co-chief executive. He envisions providing the technology to Native landowners with some financial assistance from philanthropic sources.

The local community has begun to observe changes in the behavior of animals, such as wildlife patterns and migration routes. It has been reported that some locals now have to travel nearly 300 km in order to hunt their traditional source of food, including caribou, elk, and moose.

We have received reports that even the elders, who are considered the most knowledgeable, are unable to accurately predict when the ice will be safe. This is surprising to the community members.

Expand the image to fill the entire screen.

The main goal of Arctic Reflections is to increase the “albedo” or whiteness of the ice, which allows it to reflect the sun’s rays and prevent them from being absorbed by the atmosphere. The company also suggests studying Arctic currents to see if strategically placing ice could help thicken it. This could potentially reduce the need for pumps and save 100,000 sq km of ice from melting in the summer with only 100 to 1,000 installations.

According to Ypma, the Sand Motor, a project in the Netherlands, is a prime example of this phenomenon. It is known as “beach nourishment” and relies on natural sea currents to enhance the country’s coastal protection by distributing sand.

He mentioned that he resides in Delft and frequently visits the Zandmotor project with his wife and children. He believes that the project serves as a great analogy, and strategically locating ice-making sites can greatly benefit from the natural flow patterns.

Unfortunately, there are still lingering inquiries regarding the response of ice thinner than three meters to flooding, as well as the durability of thicker ice. Hayo Hendrikse, an assistant professor at Delft University of Technology who has conducted laboratory and field experiments with Arctic Reflections, confirms this uncertainty.

The speaker suggests that we can freeze water by pouring it over ice and causing it to flood, but is it possible to do so with a net gain?

I believe there is potential for this idea on a smaller level. For instance, focusing on specific fjords or bays could help preserve sea ice in the summer and enhance natural habitats for polar bears and seals.

However, Hendrikse also states that it is not a solution, but rather a temporary fix.

According to Julienne Stroeve, a professor at University College London specializing in polar observation and modeling, taking action on a sufficient scale to significantly affect the climate would likely be unfeasible.

View image in fullscreen

“I concur that preserving the sea ice is crucial as it plays a vital role in maintaining the Earth’s temperature. However, the entire Arctic Ocean covers approximately 14 million square kilometers,” she states. “The most effective solution would be to either remove carbon from the atmosphere or reduce our emissions by 50%.”

Maurits Groen, who is a member of the jury for the Dutch Wubbo Ockels innovation prize, has awarded Arctic Reflections and also agrees that addressing the root issues of the climate emergency is the preferred approach.

The speaker states that the rate of things going awry is causing them to use extreme methods in order to temporarily delay the negative effects.

This technology has been proven and is cost-efficient when compared to other options. We need to take the first step and get started.

Source: theguardian.com