Scientists have warned that a decline in the birds' population has limited the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide and prevent global warming.
Chinstrap penguins play a "crucial role" in maintaining iron levels in the sea by defecating in and near water but a 50 per cent fall in their population since the 1980s is putting Earth at risk.
Experts at the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia in Spain said: "These seabirds are a relevant contributor to the iron remobilisation pool in the Southern Ocean.
"Chinstrap penguin guano - and potentially that from other penguin species - plays a crucial role in iron cycling.
"Declining penguin numbers may threaten this further."
Professor Mark Moore, of Southampton University, explained that penguins "act as a kind of reservoir" by pumping their faeces into the water.
The flightless birds then "move it around" to iron-deprived areas which helps stimulate the growth of new plankton that can absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Holy Shit Batman.....piiiiick upppp aaaa penguin.....  |
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By *avinaTVTV/TS
over a year ago
Transsexual Transylvania |
"Just shows how finely balanced this planet's ecology is.
.
It a wonder we haven't destroyed it already "
I'd argue we have. We just haven't really noticed it yet - like Wile E Coyote running off a cliff and not noticing it until the road runner points down. |
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When you consider just how many iron and steel ships have sunk, and been sunk in wars, around the world since 1900 and are all quietly dissolving their hulls and interiors into the sea water I kinda suspect that is fake news more bullshit than penguin poo? |
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