Human urine deposited at Mount Everest Base Camp melts over 150 tons of ice and snow annually
A study published in the journal Regional Environmental Change found that human urine left at Mount Everest Base Camp melts more than 150 tons of ice and snow each year. Researchers examined human activity on the Khumbu Glacier during the 2023 spring climbing season, where approximately 2,000 people gathered at the base camp.
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Scientists estimated that the heat from the urine, which is at human body temperature, contributed to the melting of about 154 tons of ice. The study did not account for additional heat generated by helicopters or by the climbers themselves. When combined with the gas used for heating and cooking, the total amount of melted ice reached 2,492 tons. The researchers suggested that relocating the base camp to an ice-free site could help reduce human-induced glacier melt and foster more sustainable mountaineering practices. This move could potentially reduce stress on the Khumbu Icefall and improve expedition safety.
Sources
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Human urine responsible for tons of Mount Everest ice melt: Study
AOL.com
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Mount Everest glaciers are under threat and melting — thanks to climbers relieving themselves
nypost.com