Penguin guano, or excrement, is accelerating snowmelt across the West Antarctic Peninsula by fertilizing green snow algae.
This biological process reduces the snow’s albedo—its ability to reflect sunlight—causing the surface to absorb up to 40% more solar energy than pristine white snow, according to research published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences.
The accumulation of guano acts as a potent nutrient source, particularly rich in phosphate. In the West Antarctic Peninsula, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder found that green snow algae thrive in these nutrient-dense environments. Unlike red snow algae, which produce pigments to protect against intense UV radiation during nutrient-limited phases, the algae fueled by penguin guano maintain high chlorophyll levels, facilitating rapid photosynthesis and growth.
This “biological darkening” creates a feedback loop: as the surface color shifts from white to green, the snow absorbs more heat, which in turn accelerates the melting process. This liquid water is critical for the survival and expansion of the algae, further perpetuating the cycle. Tim peneliti menyeberangi Selat Drake untuk mengumpulkan 111 sampel salju dari sembilan lokasi pesisir Semenanjung Antarktika Barat selama musim panas 2024–2025.
- Nutrient Enrichment: Penguin guano is essentially a high-potency fertilizer, providing the phosphate necessary for microscopic algae to bloom rapidly.
- Albedo Reduction: By changing the color of the snow from reflective white to heat-absorbing green, the algae trap solar energy that would otherwise bounce off the surface.
- Accelerated Melt: The increased heat trapped by these algal blooms causes the underlying snow and ice to liquify at a faster rate than in regions lacking such biological activity.
The study highlights a significant disparity in nutrient concentration between colored and pristine snow. The median phosphate level in green snow was measured at 114 micromol/liter. As noted by CNN Indonesia, this concentration is approximately 10 times higher than that found in red snow and 70 times higher than in clean, uncolonized snow.
The research team, led by Alia Khan, a cryospheric biogeochemist at the University of Colorado Boulder, utilized ceramic tools to prevent sample contamination. The team observed that the density of guano in some colonies was so high that it was detectable via satellite imagery.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the American Geophysical Union (AGU). While the findings establish a clear link between guano-derived nutrients and algal blooms, the researchers emphasize that this is not yet a closed system. Further data collection is required before these biological factors can be integrated into broader climate-modeling projections for the Antarctic region.
“The relationship between wildlife, nutrients, and snow algae is a missing piece in the puzzle of ice-free area expansion in Antarctica,” said Alia Khan, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
As climate conditions shift, researchers expect penguin populations may migrate further south. This potential movement could introduce nutrient-rich guano to previously unaffected habitats, potentially expanding the range of green snow algae and further altering the regional energy balance.
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (Primary research platform for the study published October 7, 2026).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (Guidelines on zoonotic risks and pathogen exposure).
- World Health Organization (WHO) (Information on avian-to-human disease transmission vectors).
