Knowledge Gaps
Physical science / mechanism
Version published:
July 17, 2026 - 3:04am
- 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?
Engineering needs (technical feasibility)
Version published:
July 17, 2026 - 3:04am
- 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? Is concentrated time of pumping vs intermittent pumping (i.e., less pumping spread out over more time) more efficient?
- 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?
Environmental risks / benefits
Version published:
June 30, 2026 - 7:32pm
- How will flooding of sea ice impact sea ice biogeochemistry?
- How will flooding of sea ice impact algal blooms?
- How will pumping of sea water impact plankton or other organisms in the water under sea ice (Teunis et al. 2023)?
- How will flooding of sea ice impact aerosol and gas fluxes?
- Zeitler and Brunell (2024) began adapting a Performance Assessment methodology as an initial risk assessment framework for Arctic climate interventions, beginning with a focus on factors associated with the atmosphere. The methodology should be completed for a full risk assessment (Zeitler and Brunell 2024) and can be adapted more specifically to individual approaches.
- How will flooding of sea ice impact sea ice biogeochemistry?
- How will flooding of sea ice impact algal blooms?
- How will pumping of sea water impact plankton or other organisms in the water under sea ice (Teunis et al. 2023)?
- How will flooding of sea ice impact aerosol and gas fluxes?
- Zeitler and Brunell (2024) began adapting a Performance Assessment methodology as an initial risk assessment framework for Arctic climate interventions, beginning with a focus on factors associated with the atmosphere. The methodology should be completed for a full risk assessment (Zeitler and Brunell 2024) and can be adapted more specifically to individual approaches.
Governance
Version published:
June 30, 2026 - 7:33pm
- 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)?
- Chitty et al. (2025) lists key questions that need to be answered to advance just and equitable governance strategies for climate interventions in the Arctic.
- 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)?
- Chitty et al. (2025) lists key questions that need to be answered to advance just and equitable governance strategies for climate interventions in the Arctic.
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