Apparatus and method for the prevention of polar ice mass depletion

Abstract

An apparatus for the prevention of polar ice mass depletion has a water extractor, a snowmaker, a water pump and a power source. The water extractor extracts water from a water source that is located beneath a polar ice mass and transports the water to a ground level. The snowmaker effects the conversion of the water into snow so that the snow can be deposited upon a polar ice mass. The water pump pumps water from the ground level to the snowmaker. The power source operates the water extractor, the snowmaker and the water pump. The depletion of a polar ice mass is prevented by extracting water from beneath a polar ice mass, pumping the water to a snowmaker, making snow by using the snowmaker and operating all necessary components through the use of a power source.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for preventing the depletion of polar ice masses. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The Arctic Ice Masses [0002] Recent studies have indicated that Arctic perennial sea ice has been decreasing at a rate of about 9% per decade since the early 1980s. Researchers suspect that the loss of perennial sea ice is attributable to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the Arctic atmosphere, which has in turn spurred warming trends in the region. [0003] Liquid water absorbs the Sun's energy as opposed to reflecting it into the atmosphere the way ice does. As the oceans warm and ice thins, the water absorbs more solar energy, thus creating positive feedbacks that lead to further melting. The coupling of solar radiation, which is what reduces the conduction process of sea ice growth, with the rise in surface temperatures in the Arctic region, which is a result of climate change, leads to the phenomenon of receding Arct...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the prevention of polar ice mass depletion which comprises extracting water from a water source located beneath a polar ice mass and transporting that water to a ground level through use of a water extractor, making snow for depositing the snow upon the surface of a polar ice mass through the use of a snowmaker, pumping water from the ground level to the snowmaker through use of a water pump, and operating each of the water extractor, the snowmaker and the water pump through the use of a power source.

Problems solved by technology

As the oceans warm and ice thins, the water absorbs more solar energy, thus creating positive feedbacks that lead to further melting.

On the other hand, extremely hard, compacted snow is a relatively poor insulator.

Likewise, artificial snow having many natural snow-like characteristics will hamper the summertime conduction process due to a more substantial amount of air content in the snow's makeup.

However, given the existence of energy storing and saving technology, certain benefits could be obtained from such alternative energy sources despite a less than optimal production environment.

The primary disadvantages to hydrogen fuel cell technology are that its power output in certain circumstances is limited and that refuelling requires an extensive infrastructure.

In addition to also suffering from the disadvantage of requiring extensive infrastructure, traditional petroleum-based energy sources are a harmful contributor to air pollution; however, such energy sources are nevertheless useful in certain circumstances.

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