Arctic Sea Ice Road Maps

Knowledge Gaps

Physical science / mechanism

Version published: 
  • Most research has been done on local impacts as opposed to global impacts of ice thickening (van Dijke 2022); could there be a global effect – studies show mixed results?
  • Explore effects of snow conditions on ice thickening and decay (van Dijke 2022).
  • Further research on salt dynamics during freezing and flooding of snow cover and how this impacts reflectivity and mechanical behavior of ice (Zampieri and Goessling 2019).
  • What causes the whiter ice from thickening?
    • Does whiter ice from thickening maintain its high albedo over time? What is the albedo of thickened ice?
  • What is the thermal conductivity of frozen slush and thickened ice? How do changes in thermal conductivity impact brine rejection and convection in underlying water?
  • What is the best window of time for ice creation in order for the ice to then be covered in snow?
  • Most research has been done on local impacts as opposed to global impacts of ice thickening (van Dijke 2022); could there be a global effect – studies show mixed results?
  • Explore effects of snow conditions on ice thickening and decay (van Dijke 2022).
  • Further research on salt dynamics during freezing and flooding of snow cover and how this impacts reflectivity and mechanical behavior of ice (Zampieri and Goessling 2019).
  • What causes the whiter ice from thickening?
    • Does whiter ice from thickening maintain its high albedo over time? What is the albedo of thickened ice?
  • What is the thermal conductivity of frozen slush and thickened ice? How do changes in thermal conductivity impact brine rejection and convection in underlying water?
  • What is the best window of time for ice creation in order for the ice to then be covered in snow?
  • Most research has been done on local impacts as opposed to global impacts of ice thickening (van Dijke 2022); could there be a global effect – studies show mixed results
  • Explore effects of snow conditions on ice thickening and decay (van Dijke 2022)
  • Further research on salt dynamics during freezing and flooding of snow cover and how this impacts reflectivity and mechanical behavior of ice (Zampieri and Goessling 2019)
  • What causes the whiter ice from thickening?
    • Does whiter ice from thickening maintain its high albedo over time? What is the albedo of thickened ice?
  • What is the thermal conductivity of frozen slush and thickened ice? How do changes in thermal conductivity impact brine rejection and convection in underlying water?
  • What is the best window of time for ice creation in order for the ice to then be covered in snow?

Projects from Ocean CDR Community

Engineering needs (technical feasibility)

Version published: 
  • Ice needs to be 1.91-2.46 m thick (Beaufort Sea) or 0.73-1.27 m thick (Transpolar Drift) to survive melting (van Dijke 2022). Can thickening of new ice to these thicknesses be achieved?
  • Over what time period does water need to be pumped? What can be achieved in concentrated time of pumping vs less pumping spread out over more time?
  • What type of pumping apparatus is feasible from a technical standpoint and from a logistical standpoint?
  • How can water to thicken ice be effectively distributed across a large area?
  • Is the addition of snow needed at the end of operations? What is the best way to accomplish this, if necessary, from a technical standpoint?
  • Ice needs to be 1.91-2.46 m thick (Beaufort Sea) or 0.73-1.27 m thick (Transpolar Drift) to survive melting (van Dijke 2022). Can thickening of new ice to these thicknesses be achieved?
  • Over what time period does water need to be pumped? What can be achieved in concentrated time of pumping vs less pumping spread out over more time?
  • What type of pumping apparatus is feasible from a technical standpoint and from a logistical standpoint?
  • How can water to thicken ice be effectively distributed across a large area?
  • Is the addition of snow needed at the end of operations? What is the best way to accomplish this, if necessary, from a technical standpoint?

Projects from Ocean CDR Community

Environmental risks / benefits

Version published: 
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact sea ice biogeochemistry?
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact algal blooms?
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact aerosol and gas fluxes?
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact sea ice biogeochemistry?
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact algal blooms?
  • How will flooding of sea ice impact aerosol and gas fluxes?

Projects from Ocean CDR Community

Social risks / benefits

Version published: 
  • Need assessment of societal risks and benefits including community engagement.
  • Need assessment of societal risks and benefits including community engagement.

Projects from Ocean CDR Community

Governance

Version published: 
  • Is ice thickening considered restoration? Are there existing governance frameworks that would apply in this case?
  • Can Indigenous rights and perspectives be incorporated in governance of ocean-based climate solutions when solutions are implemented in the name of global environmental protection (Chuffart et al. 2023)?
  • Is ice thickening considered restoration? Are there existing governance frameworks that would apply in this case?
  • Can Indigenous rights and perspectives be incorporated in governance of ocean-based climate solutions when solutions are implemented in the name of global environmental protection (Chuffart et al. 2023)?
  • Is ice thickening considered restoration? Are there existing governance frameworks that would apply in this case?
  • Can Indigenous rights and perspectives be incorporated in governance of ocean-based climate solutions when solutions are implemented in the name of global environmental protection? (Chuffart et al. 2023)

Projects from Ocean CDR Community

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