OR Antarctic is facing constantly increasing pressures, as beyond the already serious impacts of climate changealso accepts the influence of human activities, such as tourism and the scientific research. A new study published in the journal Nature Sustainability emphasizes that the presence of heavy metal microparticles has been tenfold in the areas with intense human activity, compared to the last 40 years.

According to the Antarctic International Association of Tourism Agencies, the number of tourists visiting Epirus has been launched over the last 20 years, approaching 120,000 a year, from just 20,000 it used to be. This rapid increase has contributed to the proliferation of the pollutant – Mostly microparticles containing chromium, nickel, copper, zinc and lead – which raises serious concerns about the future of the Arctic ecosystem.

The role of fuel in Antarctic pollution

Ships carrying tourists in the area use primarily fossil fuelswhich release dangerous microparticles in the atmosphere. According to scientist Raul Cordero, a member of the research team and professor at the University of Groningen, “Snow is melting faster in Antarctica due to the presence of polluting particles in areas where tourists frequent.”. Indeed, he stresses that “A only tourist can help to accelerate the melting of about 100 tonnes of snow”.

The research team, consisting of experts from Chile, Germany and the Netherlands, has sent 2,000 kilometers to Antarctica over a four -year period, with the aim of recording the dispersion of petty -bourgeoisie in the Epirus environment.

Scientific missions with a significant footprint

It is not only the tourism that leaves its imprint on Antarctica. The intense presence of scientific missions is equally burdened by the environmental burden, since their prolonged stay can have up to ten times the impact of a tourist, according to Cordero.

Although research recognizes, as noted, “The progresses made in the protection of Antarctica” – Like the ban on heavy funds and the shift to ships that combine electricity and fuel with a lower environmental footprint – highlights the need for even faster transition to pure energy solutions. “In order to limit the imprint of energy -intensive human activities in Antarctica, it is necessary to accelerate the energy transition and further reduce the use of fossil fuels, mainly near sensitive areas.”the research characteristically states.

OR Antarctic It is already losing mass at a worryingly fast pace: according to NASA data, Epirus has lost an average of 135 billion tonnes of snow and ice a year since 2002 – a development that demonstrates the magnitude of the environmental crisis faced by the Polar.

EM