King penguins marching on beach at st.andrews bay, South Georgia

641300156

King penguins marching on beach at st.andrews bay, South Georgia

Photo by: David Merron Photography

David Merron Photography

Scientists in Antarctica Get the Giggles from Penguin Waste

By: Leah Weber

King penguin poop is causing some issues for scientists in Antarctica. This flightless bird's guano releases nitrous oxide, a gas that is known commonly as laughing gas.

May 20, 2020

What Goes In...

Penguins, like most living organisms on the planet, ingest food for energy, and once it's processed, it needs to make an escape. Known as guano in the scientific community, penguin poop releases a byproduct that makes scientists a little loopy.

A study done by scientists at the University of Copenhagen to get to the bottom of a greenhouse gas problem in Antarctica discovered that the guano collected and studied contained high levels of nitrous oxide.

520954498

Photo by: Michael Kai

Michael Kai

Bo Elberling, professor and lead researcher on this study discussed how the nitrous oxide affected the scientists on this project. "After nosing about in guano for several hours, one goes completely cuckoo. One begins to feel ill and get a headache."

Nitrous oxide is commonly mixed with oxygen and distributed in a controlled environment by dental professionals as a sedative, known as laughing gas. It is also used as a propellant for whipped cream or as a recreational drug. In large, unregulated quantities, nitrous oxide can be detrimental to one’s health.

Trapped Gas

Look, bird poop can be funny to talk about, but the real reason for the University of Copenhagen's study was to determine just how much the guano was contributing to greenhouse gas emissions in Antarctica.

Elberling explains, "While nitrous oxide emissions in this case are not enough to impact Earth’s overall energy budget, our findings contribute to new knowledge about how penguin colonies affect the environment around them, which is interesting because colonies are generally becoming more and more widespread."

121764243

Photo by: Mike Hill

Mike Hill

The study concluded, that the more penguins present, result in more guano, which ultimately means more gasses emitted. Understanding the sources of greenhouse gasses all over the world will help combat climate change. So some scientists had to get a little loopy, a small price to pay for the health of our planet!

Next Up

Polar Researchers Discover World’s Largest Fish Breeding Colony

Scientists aboard the German research vessel Polarstern have found the world’s largest fish breeding ground containing around 60 million nests.

Bat Pups Babble like Babies

Baby greater sac-winged bats show similarities to human babies in the way they string together syllabus before they can learn to “talk.”

The ‘Immortal’ Plant Tells Its Tale

A plant with two leaves has the power to live up to 1,000 years in a rowdy desert...is there really such a thing?

There’s a Black Rhino Baby Boom in Zimbabwe

Finally, a success story for the critically endangered animal.

Climate Week 2021 Shines a Light on the Climate Crisis

Every September since 2009, Climate Week coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York City. Action is required to halt and attempt to reverse the rapid and catastrophic deterioration of the world's climate. The planet is in crisis and this year The Explorers Club is spotlighting experts in the field to bring awareness to how we can create the change we need to improve the future of the planet.

Galápagos Giant Tortoises Are Mysteriously Turning Up Dead in Ecuador

Despite the tough protections, there has been a spate of tortoises killed in recent months, and officials fear the animals have been slaughtered for their meat.

Using DNA to Reunite an Orphaned Elephant with her Mother

After villagers found a tiny elephant wandering alone, scientists began the search for her mother using DNA matching technology.

Bison are on the Move in Romania

The first bison relocation in Europe of its kind has been hailed a success after seven male individuals were transported from Germany and set free in Bulgaria earlier this summer.

The Acrobats of the Skunk World

These seven species of spotted skunks can do handstands, but that’s not the only secret they’re hiding.

Watch Out! There's a New Ocean on the Block

A new ocean has been added to the list. The Southern Ocean becomes the fifth ocean to be officially recognized on the world map.