Penguin guano fuels Antarctic algal blooms that accelerate snow melt, study finds

Researchers discovered that penguin feces feed algae blooms in Antarctic snow that absorb more solar radiation, and as warming pushes penguin populations southward, the effect could expand to previously unaffected regions.

First covered Nov 3, 2026 · 10:00 PM PT · 1 article

Penguin guano fuels Antarctic algal blooms that accelerate snow melt, study finds — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

7d Guardian Environment How penguin poo is making Antarctic snow melt faster — Researchers find the birds’ guano feeds algal blooms that absorb significantly more solar energy Penguin poo is making the Antarctic snow melt faster, a study…

More coverage from around the web

news.agu.org Penguin poop is melting Antarctic snow by keeping algae green - AGU Newsroom

phys.org Penguin poop is melting Antarctic snow by keeping algae green

scimex.org Is penguin poop melting Antarctica?

discoverwildlife.com “They’re just waddling around in their poop.” Penguin poop is melting snow in Antarctica. Here’s how

techexplorist.com Penguin poop is melting Antarctic snow, and scientists know why

Appeared in: 2026-11-04 (#16)

← Back to the brief