Hoarfrost, Permafrost, and Low Oxygen: How the Arctic challenges engineers working on ice.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: ENVIRONMENTAL

The Arctic's harsh climate not only includes extreme variations in light and temperature but also extensive snow and ice cover, large areas of permafrost, and short working seasons. Parts of the area can be extremely fragile, requiring those who work there to take the utmost precautions when it comes to preserving the pristine environment.

Development is limited in many ways: by the need to protect and preserve the unique ecosystem and by logistical challenges, including the lack of roads, ability to transport materials and equipment, and the exorbitant cost of doing business. For this reason, many companies choose to work with Arctic specialists who possess both an understanding of the landscape as well as invaluable experience in this demanding region.

"To be an Arctic specialist, one has to have experience with cold climate means, methods, and materials applications in the Arctic, as well as an understanding of the logistics challenges," explains Richard S. Armstrong, founder of RSA Engineering. "For village projects, this requires a knowledge of available technology, technicians, parts, and equipment, as well as understanding that simplicity in design and maintainability is essential for remote Arctic locations."

Cold Climate Challenges

Armstrong is well aware of the challenges facing those who work in Arctic environments; he commissioned projects in the Arctic for the National Science Foundation (NSF) at Summit. Greenland and here in Toolik. He's also been involved in the plan review, construction inspection, and long-range planning of new projects for the US Antarctica Program, managed by NSF, at South Pole Station, McMurdo Station, Palmer Station, and other remote science facilities. Armstrong has also worked on numerous power generation facilities throughout the North Slope Borough as well as aircraft fueling systems statewide.

Through these projects, Armstrong has been involved in almost every aspect of cold climate monitoring and development, including permafrost melting forecasting and adjudication; solid and liquid waste disposal; and finding solutions to high-altitude, extreme cold impacts on equipment and combustion processes.

"The South Pole is 9,200 feet above sea level and is covered in almost 10,000 feet of ice, which combine to cause significant low pressure problems; there is not enough oxygen in the air to provide good combustion," Armstrong says. "The effect of having less oxygen on any combustion product, whether...