Blocking Ice Export From the Arctic?

Could SkyScroll be part of a solution for slowing the export of sea-ice from the Arctic?

OceanVisions recently put out an RFP for research into the idea of blocking the export of sea-ice from the central Arctic via the Fram Strait and Nares Strait (background image).

This is partly inspired by research published by Moore et al, 2023 which indicates the presence of thick “ice arches” in the Nares Strait, delays export of sea-ice from the central Arctic.

“In theory, blocking Nares Strait would avoid 100,000 km² of ice outflow as a net impact. This is equal to the yearly net decline of summer sea ice currently” - Blocking Ice Export, State of Approach by Arctic Visions

SkyScroll’s approach would be to use airborne sunshades to provide targeted shading of open sea in the region of the Nares Strait.

Our proposed research research activity would address the feasibility of the following hypotheses:

• Airborne shading of open water at the southern end of the Nares Strait in early summer, could slow the loss of the southern ice arch.
• Airborne shading of open water in the Nares Strait during late-summer and early-autumn, could lead to earlier freezing of the strait, increasing ice thickness and promoting the formation of stronger northern and southern ice arches.