Evaporation Prevention Using Molecular Blankets

Makarand writes "According to this article in the New Scientist, a Canadian company is testing a technology to reduce water evaporation from reservoirs by spreading an ultra-thin blanket of organic molecules on the surface to block the escape of water molecules into the air. Trials conducted in India and Morocco showed between 30 and 45 per cent reduction in evaporation using this method. However, the long term ecological effects of reducing evaporation in lakes or reservoirs is not yet clear as evaporation prevention can increase water temperatures and affect the exchange rates of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide."

Comments

doesn't this happen naturally?

[goombah99]

No natural body of water has wter on the surface. its all coated by oily or other hydrophobic molecules lighter than water. I guess I dont understand what they are proposing to do differently. do their molecules cross link to each other forming an actual blanket that is kinetically impermeable at natural temperatures.

I would think that if water cant get out kinetically then air and nitrogen cant get in. so you can kiss all fish and algea goodbye.