Scientists have discovered that the guano of Antarctic penguins plays a significant role in forming clouds over the coastal regions. The research, published in Communications Earth & Environment, found that ammonia-rich droplet residuals are primarily composed of ammonia sulphate, confirming the involvement of penguin guano.
The study suggests that penguin colonies, which span along the coast of Antarctica, contribute to an estimated 10% increase in particle concentrations across the entire coastal region. This is due to the nutrient-rich soils left behind by the birds after migration, which continue to emit ammonia over several days.
While the environmental benefit of guano-driven cloud formation is most pronounced near penguin colonies, its effects will also spread further inland. Ammonia’s short lifespan in the atmosphere means it persists even after the penguins have migrated.
Researchers predict that these newly formed particles could be transported over parts of the Southern Ocean and continental Antarctica, affecting aerosol concentrations across the larger region, including inland areas with limited aerosol sources.
The study highlights the potential of penguin colonies as an important source of aerosols away from the coast. This discovery is part of a £57 million climate cooling project announced by the UK government, which includes five outdoor field trials.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/22/penguin-droppings-delaying-climate-change