A new study in Nature Sustainability warns that the rapid increase in both tourism and research operations is accelerating snowmelt, releasing pollutants and putting additional strain on a region already destabilized by climate change.

Human footprint growing fast

Researchers from Chile, Germany and the Netherlands conducted a four-year survey covering more than 2,000 kilometres of the continent. They found that areas with significant human activity now contain concentrations of toxic metals such as nickel, copper and lead at levels up to 10 times higher than four decades ago. These pollutants, linked to fossil fuel combustion from ships, planes and heavy equipment, are darkening the snow and speeding up melt rates.

"The growing human presence in Antarctica is a clear source of contamination," the authors note, citing emissions from tourism vessels, research bases, and transport infrastructure.

Tourism boom reshaping the region

Tourist numbers have surged dramatically in recent decades. Fewer than 8,000 visitors set foot in Antarctica annually during the 1990s. By the 2023-24 season, the number had soared to 124,000, and projections suggest it could reach 450,000 by 2034.

This season alone, 118,491 tourists have already travelled to the region, with more than 80,000 going ashore and another 36,000 viewing the landscape from ships. While the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) enforces biosecurity protocols and restricts landings, scientists say the very act of visiting leaves an environmental trace.

Studies estimate that each tourist trip generates an average of 5.44 tonnes of CO₂, while soot, or black carbon, from ship and aircraft engines accelerates snowmelt by reducing surface reflectivity. Researchers calculate that a single tourist visit can contribute to the melting of around 100 tonnes of snow.

Research missions add to the strain

Scientific expeditions, though essential for climate monitoring, also take a heavy toll. Heavy machinery, diesel generators, and long-term field camps magnify environmental pressures. According to the study, one research mission can have 10 times the impact of an individual tourist.

Efforts to limit the damage

The Antarctic Treaty already bans the use of heavy fuel oil, and several tour operators are introducing hybrid-electric ships to cut emissions. IAATO also coordinates landings to prevent congestion and enforces wildlife-protection rules.

But researchers argue that these steps only scratch the surface. They warn that only a faster shift to renewable energy and sharp reductions in fossil fuel reliance will be enough to curb long-term damage.

For now, Antarctica's icy landscapes may appear pristine to visitors cruising past. But beneath the surface, scientists say, the growing human footprint is melting away the continent's fragile balance.