US EditionPenguin guano may help reduce effects of climate change in Antarctica
- Matthew Boyer and colleagues measured atmospheric ammonia and aerosol particle concentrations near a 60,000-strong Adélie penguin colony on the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2023.
- They conducted the study to assess how gases from penguin guano influence cloud formation over the region, as ammonia can seed cloud particles when combined with sulfuric acid.
- When winds blew from the penguin colony, ammonia concentrations spiked to 13.5 parts per billion—about a thousand times above background—causing aerosol particle levels to surge and fog formation to occur.
- Boyer highlighted that even after the penguins had departed from the colony, the ammonia released from their droppings persisted for about a month, with concentrations remaining roughly 100 times above normal levels.
- The findings suggest penguin guano may boost cloudiness and help cool Antarctica, but declining penguin populations could reduce this effect, possibly intensifying regional warming in the future.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
76 Articles
76 Articles
All
Left
10
Center
14
Right
11
The penguins, emblematic birds of the South Pole, contribute to the regulation of Antarctic climate through their excrement, reveal researchers.
·Montreal, Canada
Read Full Article
Scientists are alert because Antarctica is rapidly warming due to climate change caused by human activity.But a new study identifies an unlikely ally in the fight against rising continental temperature: penguin feces.The research, published this week in the scientific journal Communications Earth & Environment, shows that ammonia emanating from penguin guano generates an additional layer of clouds over the Antarctic coast that can block sunlight…
·Chile
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources76
Leaning Left10Leaning Right11Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 29%
C 40%
R 31%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
