Despite its remote location and harsh conditions, Antarctica boasts a human population larger than some municipalities. With about 40 permanent research stations, the continent is home to about 1,000 people at any given time. During Antarctica’s summer months, that number can balloon to 4,000.And with humans, comes human waste. Studies dating back to 2009 revealed potential problems with how that waste was being handled, namely its effect on Antarctica’s marine life. For example, scientists with the Australian Antarctic Division discovered signs of antibiotic resistance among seals and penguins.“We don’t know what the long-term implications of that might be, but it’s
