Antarctic chinstrap penguin colonies emit 490,000 tons of methane annually

A new study conducted by the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN-CSIC) and the University of Granada has revealed that large colonies of chinstrap penguins in Antarctica emit approximately 490,000 tons of methane annually through their excrement.

Researchers found that the accumulated guano in these dense wildlife populations creates extraordinarily intense methane emission hotspots. Using high-precision analyzers and drones equipped with optical and multispectral sensors, the team measured gas levels directly at two colonies on Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands.

While methane remains in the atmosphere for a shorter duration than carbon dioxide, it is significantly more effective at trapping heat. Scientists suggest that these natural emissions from polar seabird colonies should be incorporated into global emission inventories to better understand and predict climate evolution.