ABSTRACT
An Internet search shows naled ice shields to be widespread in high latitudes, and confirms Siberia to be the global pole for naleds, coincident with the global pole for permafrost. The literature show permafrost and naleds share a common origin, but the study proves swarms of naleds also occur hundreds of kilometres south of Siberia in regions with no permafrost, such as south Mongolia, near Beijing and across Kazakhstan.
Naleds (= aufeis, taryn, icing) form in regions of sharply continental climate during severely cold winter months characterised by little or no snowfall. In spite of the summer heat naleds wane slowly, surviving long enough to create cool microclimates and produce a steady release of meltwater for natural irrigation of pastures and drinking water for nomads, livestock, large wild mammals and birds.
Large areas of Asia are expected to lose their permafrost due to global warming. Paradoxically, naleds resist climate change because a temperature rise of several degrees is unlikely to retard their formation, and in some cases may even accelerate it. At present naleds are vital for humans and biodiversity, and when the regional climate becomes hotter and drier in summer, then the importance of naleds will increase further. Recognition of the role of naleds and measures to protect and enhance them would enable climate change mitigation for humans and biodiversity across vast regions of Asia.
The author speculates that artificial naleds can be constructed to create or strengthen permafrost at low cost, and inhibit the release of greenhouse gases from peat beds and taiga forests.
Mention is made of the ease of thickening Arctic ice sufficient to resist climate change, by pumping seawater onto floating sea ice to freeze so creating a vast naled.
The study detected naleds throughout Mongolia including the South Gobi where large open pit mines are planned. The article claims naled ice shields are likely to grow in open pit mines, particularly coal mines, and pose special risks to production and safety.
Finally, naleds in Asian deserts may assist understanding of naleds thought prevalent in the harsh arid climate of Mars as a vital source of water.
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