The pinguins colonies in Antarctica fill the air of ammonia, which stabilizes the particles in the atmosphere and allows the formation of clouds, which, in turn, cool the climate. The coconut of the penguins is even saving the Antarctic.
A study this Thursday in Communications Earth and Environment revealed that the Cocó dos Penguins Helps maintain Fresh Antarctica – In the one that can be a central help to keep the habitat of that inhospitable continent.
As the investigation details, the ammonia vapors from penguin colonies contribute to the cloud formationwhich have an effect of cooling reflecting sunlight away from the surface.
“This demonstrates a deep connection between the ecosystem and the atmospheric processes,” says Matthew Boyerfrom the University of Helsinquia, Finland, quoted by.
This connection is explained by the way ammonia affects the number of particles in the atmosphere. As the same magazine explains, to form a cloud, water vapor has to condense around a considerable particle. But these are difficult to find in the cold and clean air of Antarctica.
The answer is: coco
It has been known that high concentrations of ammonia accelerated the formation of clouds a thousand times. However, without much dust, vegetation or air pollution, Where could there be ammonia in Antarctica?
The investigators measured the concentrations of ammonia, sulfuric acid and larger particles in the air to several kilometers the leect of an Adelia 60,000 pinguins colony (Pygoscelis Adeliae) to Península Antártica.
And answer is on: coconutwhich increased the concentration of ammonia, which in turn boosted the formation of sulfuric acid particles large enough to condense around it and formed clouds.
This time, more clouds (especially over the ocean) would have a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight away from the earth’s surface.
This, deep down, helps prevent a decline of penguin populations – for example, due to the loss of marine ice caused due to eventual heating.