Switzerland tests wool covers to protect glacier
In Switzerland, sheep’s wool covers are being tested on the Tsanfleuron Glacier, which may slow the melting of snow and ice. The Keep It Wool experiment is being conducted by the environmental organization Summit Foundation and the University of Lausanne, Cyprus Mail reports.
A biodegradable alternative to plastic
In summer, certain sections of ice and snow are covered with synthetic tarpaulins that reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. Such covers are usually made of plastic and can release microfibers that pollute the environment.
The project participants decided to test a biodegradable alternative while also finding a use for Swiss wool. According to project manager Timothée Steiner, between 40% and 70% of the wool produced in the country is discarded every year. The idea for the trial was proposed by four master’s students.
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Results of the summer test
In June, two prototypes of wool covers made by the Swiss company Fisolan were laid out over an area of 200 square meters on the Tsanfleuron Glacier in western Switzerland. Throughout the summer, researchers compared their effectiveness with that of a conventional geotextile cover.
Steiner said that measurements taken once every two weeks showed that the wool covers restrained melting just as effectively as synthetic ones. Fisolan representative Niklaus Saegesser said he was surprised by the material’s durability. Student Elliot Gaffiot described the test results as extremely successful.
At the same time, Keep It Wool participants stress that such covers are not a solution to global warming. Protective sheets cover only about 0.02% of the area of Swiss glaciers. Scientists believe that, in the long term, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mainly associated with fossil fuels, can slow ice loss.
