Scientists Plan to ‘Grow’ Ice and ‘Refreeze’ the Arctic Sea

Scientists are developing a method that could potentially “grow” ice and achieve the formidable task of “refreezing” the Arctic Sea, with early tests showing encouraging results.

In an effort to combat the rapid loss of sea ice, experiments conducted in the Canadian Arctic have successfully thickened sea ice by pumping seawater over the top of the frozen surface. A report from New Scientist has highlighted the urgent need for action, predicting that without intervention, the Arctic could be devoid of ice during the summers of the 2030s, a scenario with catastrophic implications for the global climate.

Despite efforts to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, reports suggest these measures alone might not prevent the Arctic from becoming ice-free.

The Arctic Ocean is experiencing a decline in ice coverage by about 13% each decade. In response, scientists are exploring various strategies to mitigate this severe climate impact over a short period. One promising method involves pumping seawater onto parts of the frozen Arctic Ocean, a technique believed to effectively preserve ice.

The concept involves using pumps to layer seawater on existing ice, which is expected to freeze during the winter and increase the thickness of the ice. This added layer would help the ice endure the warmer summer months.

Scientists have tried this approach by selecting areas of thin ice, creating an opening from below, and flooding these areas to enhance the natural freezing process.

Recently, this technique was applied using hydrogen as a renewable energy source, marking its first successful deployment in this context. Although the tests have shown positive results on a smaller scale, concerns remain about potential adverse effects, such as reduced snow cover that could negatively affect local wildlife.

In an interview with The Guardian, Hayo Hendrikse from Delft University of Technology cautioned that this strategy should not be seen as a permanent solution but rather as a temporary fix, potentially applicable on a smaller scale to manage the situation.