Could Icebergs Be Used as A Source for Drinking Water-

　　Could harnessing icebergs represent a practical solution to our global water needs? We’re about to probe into this captivating query with an inquisitive eye.

　　The notion of tapping into icebergs as a water supply has long been circulating, often relegated to the sphere of science fiction, yet not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It’s been contemplated as a concept that might just become feasible within our lifetime. Icebergs, despite floating in saltwater, are composed of compressed snow and contain no salt. Melting one would yield potable freshwater, once any bacteria are neutralized. However, the utilization of icebergs as a primary drinking water source has been hindered by the expenses and risks involved in their transportation. This topic has been hashing out in the media and has even been the subject of light-hearted pranks. While the idea is well-established, it seems it hasn’t been scrutinized lately. Often viewed as a Southern Hemisphere concern—namely, utilizing Antarctic ice—there are entities in the Northern Hemisphere that are earnestly examining this concept. So, what are the chances we’ll see Antarctic ice exploited as a resource in the future?

　　Currently, iceberg water is a niche product in the Northern Hemisphere, featured in a variety of beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike. We’ve already seen the beginnings of iceberg usage. The inaugural international conference dedicated to this subject took place in 1977, with further reviews and discussions following. Early assessments concluded that towing icebergs was cost-prohibitive due to fuel expenses. However, with the decline in fuel costs and the emergence of new possibilities, we’re revisiting this concept. In this discussion, I aim to take a deeper look, so to speak, and test the waters of this idea.

　　With the global population standing at six billion and using roughly 3,240 km3 of water annually, from a renewable resource of about 41,000 km3, the significance of finding new water sources cannot be overstated. Antarctica, holding about 30 million km3 of ice, possesses 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its freshwater, calving around 1,250 km3 of icebergs each year. As projections anticipate the world population to double in the next 50 years, and with global change uncertainties, the strain on the world’s water resources is expected to intensify. This includes the potential of icebergs as a water source, raising questions about future conflicts over water access.

　　Small-scale experiments using the German Antarctic research vessel RV Polarstern have involved letting iceberg meltwater sit in plastic for several months to monitor water quality, with promising results. These studies suggested that an influx of up to 2.5% seawater would still yield usable water, though a more conservative figure might be preferable. This straightforward concept has been applied to smaller ice floes and theoretically to icebergs. The process involves unrolling and welding rolls of plastic to encase the iceberg, then allowing it to sink and, depending on the current strength, either being carried underneath the iceberg or drawn by cables. Inflatable air sacs or tubes within the plastic help it rise, minimizing seawater intrusion. While covering the top poses a greater challenge due to friction, it’s not insurmountable.

　　It’s evident that the economics of wrapping a single iceberg don’t add up, making it suitable only for experimental purposes. If it ever becomes cost-effective, it would likely be through the simultaneous wrapping of several icebergs, which could also service multiple destinations. Any proposal to exploit Antarctic resources must withstand environmental scrutiny under the Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on Environmental Protection. Ice was excluded from the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource Activities due to its renewable nature. The appeal of using icebergs lies in their minimal environmental impact in the Antarctic and the potential reduction of environmental issues at the destination point.