Pinguinii din Antarctica emit până la 7 milioane de tone de metan pe an

Colonies of chinstrap penguins in Antarctica emit significant amounts of methane, estimated at 7 million tons annually, according to a new study. This research highlights the penguins' waste as a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, conducted by ICMAN and the University of Granada, reveals that penguin excrement decomposes along coastal areas, contributing approximately 490,000 tons of methane each year. Researchers utilized drones to map waste-covered areas and estimate penguin populations. The findings suggest that wildlife emissions should be included in global inventories, emphasizing the need for further research on climate change impacts on penguin populations and methane-producing microorganisms.