Ice Melting
We have all seen images of polar bears stranded on melting glaciers, and we know that the loss of Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets will lead to irreversible changes in climate for humans and animals alike. But what are the underlying causes of this change, and how will it impact us? Temple University glaciologist and ice melt expert Atsuhiro Muto offers a unique perspective.
While warm air certainly causes the surface of a glacier or an ice sheet to melt, it’s much more complex than that. Glaciers and ice sheets are also affected by the water they sit in, the topography and terrain on which they move, and even the bedrock underneath them.
The ocean surrounding Greenland, for example, is warmer now than it has been in centuries and will continue to warm even further. The resulting warm water will eventually enter the glaciers and cause them to melt faster than they would otherwise. This is why understanding the role of ocean currents and ridges is crucial to understanding how to slow the loss of Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets.
Similarly, the way in which we use different types of commercial ice melt products can greatly influence their effectiveness. For example, urea-based products are slower to work, and they can lead to nitrogen pollution in waterways and algal blooms. Other options, like calcium chloride ice melt, offer fast-acting results without the environmental concerns of other salts. In addition, some products such as magnesium chloride flakes are less abrasive on concrete and vegetation than other ice melt materials.