⚠️This fact has been debunked
This is a common misconception. While decomposition is significantly slower in Antarctica's extreme cold, it does still occur. Research shows that soft rot fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms have adapted to function in Antarctic conditions, both on land and in the ocean. These organisms work much more slowly than in temperate climates, but decomposition happens nonetheless.
The water of the Antarctica is so cold that nothing can rot there.
Does Nothing Rot in Antarctica's Freezing Waters?
It's easy to imagine Antarctica as a frozen time capsule where nothing ever decays. The continent's waters hover around -1.8°C (28.8°F), cold enough to make you think decomposition would be impossible. But this popular belief doesn't hold water—or ice.
The truth? Things absolutely do rot in Antarctica, just very, very slowly.
Life Finds a Way (Even in Freezing Water)
Antarctic waters are home to specialized psychrophilic bacteria and fungi—microorganisms that have evolved to thrive in extreme cold. These tiny decomposers work year-round in the ocean, breaking down dead fish, algae, krill, and even whale carcasses that sink to the seafloor.
On land, researchers studying historic expedition huts from the early 1900s discovered soft rot fungi actively decomposing the wooden structures. These fungi become active for just a few days or weeks each summer when surface ice melts, but over decades, they've caused measurable decay.
Why the Myth Persists
The misconception exists because decomposition in Antarctica happens at a glacial pace (pun intended). A dead penguin that might decompose in weeks in a temperate climate could take years in Antarctic conditions. The extreme cold, dry air, and limited liquid water severely restrict microbial activity—but they don't stop it entirely.
- Cold slows enzyme activity in bacteria and fungi by up to 90%
- Limited moisture means fewer microorganisms can grow
- Short summers provide only brief windows for active decomposition
- UV radiation at high latitudes can damage organic matter, complicating the process
The Frozen Exception
There is one scenario where the myth holds true: organisms frozen solid in glacial ice for thousands of years remain remarkably preserved. Without liquid water, microbial activity stops completely. That's why scientists can study ancient bacteria and even extinct animals from ice cores.
But in Antarctica's ocean and coastal areas where life actively exists? Decomposition is slow but steady, thanks to Earth's most cold-adapted microorganisms doing what decomposers do best—just on Antarctic time.