A study published this week has delivered the startling fact that Antarctic penguins release a ripper amount of nitrous oxide – otherwise known as laughing gas – in their faeces.
The University of Copenhagen study was supposed to be looking at the effects of a King Penguin colony’s activity on soil greenhouse gas fluxes in South Georgia – an island just north of Antarctica.
But while conducting their research, the academics found they began to feel ill and get headaches.
“After nosing about in guano [excrement]for several hours, one goes completely cuckoo,” co-author Bo Elberling said. “It is truly intense.”
In fact, the emissions measure about 100 times more than a recently fertilised Danish field (sounds delightful).
So, why do the penguins produce this potent mix?
The study authors blame the penguins’ diet of fish, squid and krill which results in nitrogen being released from their faeces into the ground. The bacteria in the soil then converts the nitrogen into nitrous oxide.
However, the team says their research is necessary to find out how penguin colonies affect the environment around them.
We’re guessing they’ll find the neighbours don’t want to share the bathroom.
