We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Airborne hydrophilic microplastics in cloud water at high altitudes and their role in cloud formation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected cloud water from mountain summits in Japan at altitudes up to 3,776 meters and found microplastics in every sample, including common types like polyethylene and polypropylene. Many of the particles showed signs of degradation and contained water-attracting chemical groups, suggesting they could influence cloud formation by acting as condensation nuclei. The study raises the possibility that airborne microplastics may be affecting weather patterns and climate at a global scale.
Abstract Microplastic pollution is occurring in most ecosystem, yet their presence in high altitude clouds and their influence on cloud formation and climate change are poorly known. Here we analyzed microplastics in cloud water sampled at the summits of Japan mountains at 1300–3776 m altitude by attenuated total reflection imaging and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We observed nine microplastics including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyamide 6, polycarbonate, ethylene–propylene copolymer or polyethylene–polypropylene alloy, polyurethane, and epoxy resin. Microplastic were fragmented, with mean concentrations ranging from 6.7 to 13.9 pieces per liter, and with Feret diameters ranging from 7.1 to 94.6 μm. Microplastics bearing hydrophilic groups such as carbonyl and/or hydroxyl groups were abundant, suggesting that they might have acted as condensation nuclei of cloud ice and water. Overall, our finding suggest that high-altitude microplastics cloud influence cloud formation and, in turn, might modify the climate.
More Papers Like This
Researchers find microplastics in clouds
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found microplastics in cloud water collected from two Japanese mountains, identifying nine types of plastic particles at concentrations of 7-14 pieces per liter. This discovery suggests microplastics may travel long distances through the atmosphere via clouds, potentially spreading pollution far from its original sources.
Potential impacts of atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics on cloud formation processes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics could act as cloud condensation nuclei or ice nucleating particles, potentially affecting cloud formation, precipitation patterns, and Earth's radiation balance at sufficient concentrations.
Characterization of Microplastics in Clouds over Eastern China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected cloud water samples from a mountain in eastern China and found an average of 463 microplastic particles per liter, with 60% smaller than 100 micrometers. The study found that surface roughening from photochemical aging likely increased the microplastics' ability to adsorb toxic metals such as lead and mercury. Evidence indicates that airborne microplastics may influence atmospheric metal cycles and cloud formation processes.
Adsorption-Driven Cloud Droplet Activation of Fresh and Aged Polypropylene Particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles in the air can help form clouds and potentially affect weather patterns. When these plastic particles get weathered by sunlight and air pollution, they become much better at attracting water droplets to form clouds compared to fresh plastic particles. This matters because microplastics are now everywhere in our atmosphere, and understanding how they change weather and climate could help us better predict environmental changes that affect human health and agriculture.
Microplastics promote cloud formation, with likely effects on weather and climate
AI summary Read the abstract
New research demonstrates that microplastic particles can act as cloud condensation nuclei, altering cloud formation processes with potential downstream effects on precipitation patterns and climate. Beyond direct health and ecological toxicity, this finding suggests microplastics may be disrupting Earth's fundamental atmospheric systems, adding a planetary-scale dimension to the urgency of reducing plastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.