An Idea for an Ocean Based Solar Reflector to Combat Global Warming

Evaluation of this idea requires a knowledge of Chemical Engineering, a subject which is outside my primary field of expertise. I am hoping that by putting this idea in the publics' eye, someone with the right skill set might be able make use of it, or or at least evaluate the concept for feasibility. Full implementation of the idea would require considerable research from multiple fields, especially oceanography.

I believe that with the right chemical engineering, the world's ocean is the ideal solar reflectance distribution device The basic concept is to combine the the properties of an oil slick with reflectance. This would not be a simple task -- the substance would need to have exactly the right properties for the job to be done properly.

A substance would be required which:

1. Is biodegradable or self-degrading in a time frame on the order of months.
2. Floats and sheets rapidly.
3. Is permeable to at least CO₂ and O₂.
4. Has low optical absorption
   
5. When sheeted, the reflectance should be on the order of 40%-80% and transmissive of as much remaining light as possible
6. Wavelength selective where the wavelengths to be reflected must be determined by Oceanographic research.
7. Is non-toxic to aquatic life
   

A possible example molecule might be a light fat molecule joined to the recently discovered squid reflectance protein modified to be hydrophobic, if necessary and possible. If the molecule does not exhibit 3-axis symmetry, it should have an ever-so-slightly hydrophilic side which is just heavy enough to help keep the molecule oriented "head up" without causing the molecule to behave like a detergent. To ensure permeability, the head of the molecule should be star-shaped with some sort of protein bonding mechanism at the tips of the stars. Ideally, the bonding mechanism should be weak enough to allow upside-down molecules to flip, but strong enough to cause the molecule to sheet sufficiently on the oceans surface.

If such a molecule can be engineered solely from chained amino acids, the molecule could be massed produced by bacteria.

Dumping a quantity of such a substance on the ocean's surface would result in a rapidly spreading region of high reflectance. Because the substance is biodegradable, unlike aerosol methods, there is a high degree of control over exactly how much energy is reflected from the Earth's surface. If too much energy is reflected, simply wait and the substance will degrade. If to little energy is reflected, simply release more of the substance. Unlike mirror-based methods, no structure is required -- only the production of a single type of molecule, which may lend itself to production by genetic engineering. It might be possible to design an enzyme specifically engineered to destroy the molecule in the event it is necessary to do so.

It is important the substance is not 100% reflective or absorb very much light in order prevent ocean light starvation. Likewise, it is important the substance not suffocate the oceans by failing to be gas-permeable. Since chlorophyll does not absorb all frequencies equally, it may be possible to tune the molecule to reflect more light in those wavelengths not used in photosynthesis.

Another possibility might be to grow self-terminating bacteria modified to produce a cell surface like that of octopus leucophores and designed to contain enough lightweight molecular material (fat) to float.

It should also be possible engineer a light absorbing molecule for use in situations where there is need to increase the solar absorption of the earth as well.

Another possible use of the substance might be to spot-control weather, a subject I know very little about. Could it be possible to interfere with hurricane formation by increasing the reflectance of waters in the path of a hurricane?

February 1st, 2007

-ThoughtKeeper