Icebergs

Icebergs: A Potential Source of Water In countries where rainfall is very sparse, scientists must constantly seek ways to increase supplies of water. One method being considered is the use of desalination plants, which would remove salt from seawater. Another method being considered is the towing of icebergs. According to this method, large icebergs from Antarctica would be wrapped in cloth or plastic, tied to powerful tugboats by strong ropes, and towed to the countries needing freshwater. While this plan may have some potential, there arecertain practical problems that must be solved. The first problem is the expense. According to estimates, it would cost between $50 million and $100 million to tow a single. Another problem is the possibility that the iceberg would melt en route. No one knows if an iceberg could be effetively insulated for such a long journey. At the very least, there is the possibility that it would break up into smaller pieces, which would create still other problems. In addition, there is the danger that a huge block of ice floating off an arid coast could have unexpected environmental effects. The ice could drastically change the water along the coast, and it would probably affect the fish population. Finally, if there major problems can be solved, the cost of providing freshwater from icebergs would be less than the cost of prviding water by desalinization, according to most estimates. It would cost between 50 and 60 cents per cubic meter it would cost to get the same amount by desalinization. In conclusion, before iceberges can become a source of freshwater in the future, problems involving cost, overall practicality, and most important, environmental impact must be solved.