In countries whee rainfall is very sparse, scientists must constantly seek ways to increase supplies of water. One method being considereed 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 Antartica 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 are certain 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 100-million-ton iceberg from Antartica to, for example, the coast of Saudi Arabia.
Secondly is the possibility that the iceberg would melt en route. No one knows if an iceberg could be effectively 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.
On the third 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 weather along the coast, and i would probablty affect the fish population.
And the fourth is the cost of providing freshwater from icebergs would be less than the cost of providing water by desalinization, according to most atimates. It would cost between 50 and 60 cents per cubic meter to get water from an iceberg, as opposed to the 80 cents per cubic meter it would cost to get the same amount by desalinization.
In conclusion, before icebergs can become a source of freshwater in the future, problems involving cost, overall practically, and most important, environmental impact must be solved.
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