Have you ever wondered what actually is permafrost? Look no further. According to NASA,
“Permafrost is any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at
least two years straight. These permanently frozen grounds are most common in
regions with high mountains and in Earth’s higher latitudes—near the North and South
Poles.”
Now just because the ground is frozen doesn’t mean that it has snow. Actually, permafrost is a
mix of rocks, soil, and sand that is all held together with ice. Closer to the surface, permafrost
also contains organic compounds, like leaves, that could not fully decompose since they are
frozen.
On top of permafrost is often a layer of soil that does not remain frozen. Scientists call this layer
the “active layer.” The active layer freezes and thaws throughout the year. In colder lands, the
active layer is thinner, only 4-6 inches thick, and may never fully thaw. In warmer areas (where
there is still a permafrost layer), the active layer may be several meters thick.
Water, in all of its forms, plays a vital role in our environment, and permafrost is no different.
Permafrost provides a cooling effect for the globe, acts as a sturdy foundation underneath
infrastructure, and even keeps ancient microbes under wraps and away from humans. IX Power
Clean Water understands the necessity of conserving and protecting our unfrozen water
resources. IX Power Clean Water is dedicated to water conservation and mitigating the impacts
of climate change. IX technology works relieve water stress in two key areas. First the
innovative technology can create a closed loop system for industrial water users. So, industries
use less of our most precious resources. Secondly, IX Power’s technologies can clean wastewater
from industrial producers and oil and gas production to be safely reused for agriculture or
reintroduced into the ecosystem for further use. Learn more about IX Power’s water saving
technology at https://ixwater.com/
To learn more about permafrost go to: https://climatekids.nasa.gov/permafrost/
Permafrost
