A study published on October 7, 2026, in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences revealed that penguin droppings (guano) accelerate snow melting in the Antarctic Peninsula. The research was led by Alia Khan from the University of Colorado Boulder and her team.
Guano contains nutrients that fertilize snow algae, single-celled microorganisms that grow in the coldest regions. In areas with high nutrients, the algae produce green pigments that absorb up to 40% more solar energy compared to pristine white snow, while red algae absorb about 20% more.
Snow algae are distributed throughout Antarctica, but their growth varies. In regions where penguins and other seabirds gather, high concentrations of guano cause algae to grow densely, turning the color of the snow red or green and accelerating its melting.
Khan emphasized that the interaction between wildlife, nutrients, and snow algae has not been included in ice melt projections. "The relationship between wildlife, nutrients, and snow algae is an important missing component in projections of ice-free area expansion in Antarctica," she said on Wednesday (7/10). She added, "Without accounting for this biological darkening effect, we may be underestimating how fast coastal snowpacks are melting and how quickly ice-free regions will expand in Antarctica."
Researchers stated that more data is needed before this biological effect can be integrated into climate models, although the findings indicate the potential for broader changes in melting patterns in the future.
Source: cnnindonesia.com
