Toxic Legacy: Antarctica's Darkening Pollution Problem The icy vastness of Antarctica has long been seen as a pristine sanctuary, untouched by humanity's polluting footprint.
However, recent research suggests that this frozen continent is quietly becoming one of the most toxic hotspots on the planet – and it's not just a problem for penguins.
A study published in July in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that Antarctica's seafloor sediments are accumulating mercury at an alarming rate.