Cloud seeding
The how, what and why of cloud seeding
How does cloud seeding work?
Cloud seeding technology is not new or untried, and has been used successfully in America for the last 50 years and in Tasmania for the last 40 years with water utilities continuing to use cloud seeding to augment water supply systems.
Cloud seeding involves adding artificial ice nucleating particles into clouds containing sufficient below freezing water droplets to initiate the ice nucleation process. There is a range of different seeding agents that can be used depending on local conditions. These include dry ice pellets, some bacteria, liquid propane and silver iodide.
What are the impacts of cloud seeding?
There are no known credible studies that have shown detrimental health or environmental effects from using cloud seeding technology any where in the world. There is a high level of confidence that there will be no negative effects caused by the seeding agents. This is because the amount of silver iodide and indium sesquioxide being added to the environment would be in ultra-trace quantities over the very large target area. An Expert Panel agreed that any significant adverse effect on either the environment or human health would be extremely unlikely. Nonetheless, Snowy Hydro have a rigorous environmental monitoring program using some of the most precise analytical techniques to provide additional confidence that there will be no environmental harm.
Why do we need it?
Cloud seeding is one of the most cost effective ways to supplement and manage water resources, and must be considered as part of any water reform agenda.
For more information on cloud seeding click here.
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Cloud seeding technology is not new or untried, and has been used successfully in America for the last 50 years and in Tasmania for the last 40 years with water utilities continuing to use cloud seeding to augment water supply systems.Cloud seeding involves adding artificial ice nucleating particles into clouds containing sufficient below freezing water droplets to initiate the ice nucleation process. There is a range of different seeding agents that can be used depending on local conditions. These include dry ice pellets, some bacteria, liquid propane and silver iodide.
What are the impacts of cloud seeding?
There are no known credible studies that have shown detrimental health or environmental effects from using cloud seeding technology any where in the world. There is a high level of confidence that there will be no negative effects caused by the seeding agents. This is because the amount of silver iodide and indium sesquioxide being added to the environment would be in ultra-trace quantities over the very large target area. An Expert Panel agreed that any significant adverse effect on either the environment or human health would be extremely unlikely. Nonetheless, Snowy Hydro have a rigorous environmental monitoring program using some of the most precise analytical techniques to provide additional confidence that there will be no environmental harm.
Why do we need it?
Cloud seeding is one of the most cost effective ways to supplement and manage water resources, and must be considered as part of any water reform agenda.
For more information on cloud seeding click here.
back to top