Research published on Thursday shows that penguin poo can help limit climate change by forming clouds above coastal Antarctica. The ammonia emitted from the birds’ guano (severed droppings) mixes with sulfur-bearing gases from phytoplankton, boosting the formation of aerosol particles that grow into clouds.
Scientists, led by Matthew Boyer, set up instruments at a research station to monitor wind direction, ammonia levels, and newly formed aerosols. The results showed that when air masses arrived from an Adelie penguin colony, atmospheric ammonia spiked, leading to the formation of cloud-seeding aerosols.
The study suggests that declining penguin populations could lead to a positive climate-warming feedback in the Antarctic atmosphere. However, other factors such as ice sheets and glaciers also play a role in how clouds form and drift. The findings highlight the deep connections between life and the atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250522-the-surprising-climate-power-of-penguin-poo