Scientists are developing an innovative method that could enable them to "grow ice' and tackle the challenging task of "refreezing" the Arctic Sea. Initial tests have shown promising results.

They intend to pump seawater over the frozen Arctic Ocean, and trials in the Canadian Arctic have successfully increased the thickness of the sea ice.

A report Published in  New Scientist says, if no step is taken right now, the advancing climate change will make the Arctic ice-free in summer 2030, which will be dreadful to the planet.

Other reports suggest that even if measures are taken, like effectively reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, it won’t stop the arctic from turning ice-free.

Melting Ice in the Arctic

The Arctic Ocean is losing nearly 13 percent of its ice every decade. To combat the severe impacts of climate change, it's essential to significantly reduce global emissions. Consequently, scientists are exploring ways to achieve this quickly.

One of the methods under consideration by scientists is pumping seawater into certain areas of the frozen Arctic Ocean, as they believe this could be an effective solution.

grow ice
Image Source: Earth.com

Is the decision to pump seawater into the Arctic a wise one?

The plan is quite simple, engineers will use pumps to cover the ice with seawater, which is anticipated to freeze in winter and increase the thickness of the ice layer. This approach aims to help the ice endure for a longer time during the summer months.

To achieve this, scientists are looking for areas with thin ice, creating holes from below, and flooding them with seawater, hoping to speed up natural freezing. While this method has been tested before, it was successfully implemented for the first time using hydrogen, a renewable energy source.

The tests have also yielded positive results on a smaller scale. However, a report from New Scientist warns of potential "unintended consequences," such as decreased snow cover that could harm wildlife.

In an interview with The Guardian, Hayo Hendrikse, an assistant professor at Delft University of Technology, emphasised that this approach is not a true "solution" but rather a temporary fix, better suited for smaller-scale applications.

When is the Arctic Ocean expected to face its first ice-free conditions?

Arctic sea ice extent has been declining since the start of continuous satellite monitoring in November 1978, raising questions about when the Arctic Ocean will experience seasonal ice loss. Predictions vary widely. A June 2023 study suggested that an ice-free summer could occur sooner than expected due to the underestimated impact of greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, another study claimed that natural climate variability might delay this by a decade or more. Additionally, a March 2024 paper indicated that the Arctic could see its first ice-free summer within this decade.

An "ice-free Arctic" doesn't imply no ice at all

When scientists talk about the potential for an “ice-free Arctic,” they refer specifically to summer conditions, not a complete absence of ice year-round. Mark Serreze notes, Even under a high-emission scenario, the Arctic Ocean is unlikely to lose its winter sea ice for at least a century, and probably much longer. Winter will still bring cold and darkness.

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