We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Tire-wear particles as potential ice nucleating agents in the atmosphere
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically investigated the ice-nucleating properties of tire-wear particles -- one of the largest global sources of microplastic pollution at approximately 6 million tons annually -- finding that these airborne particles can act as heterogeneous ice nucleating agents capable of influencing cloud glaciation and atmospheric processes during long-range transport.
Tire-wear particles, generated through tire abrasion during driving, represent one of the largest global sources of microplastic pollution, with annual emissions approaching 6 million tons. Due to their small particle sizes and low mass density, tire-wear particles can become airborne, undergo long-range transport and potentially influence atmospheric processes. One critical but poorly understood pathway involves the heterogeneous freezing of supercooled cloud droplets, a key process in cloud glaciation and climate regulation. Here, we systematically investigate the ice-nucleating properties of laboratory-generated particles from summer, all-weather and winter tires. Using optical microscopy as well as FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy we obtained particle-size distributions (~100 µm mean diameter) and characterized the surface chemical compositions confirming close similarity to the pristine tire materials. Ice nucleation experiments performed with our custom-built IceBox instrument demonstrated that all tire particles consistently elevated the freezing temperatures of supercooled water droplets in both immersion and contact modes, with immersion mode yielding stronger activity. Comparable results across all tire types suggest that the major components such as rubber polymers or graphitic fillers are responsible for the observed activity. These findings establish tire-wear particles as effective atmospheric ice-nucleating agents, providing a baseline for future studies of environmentally aged tire particles and their potential roles in affecting the climate.
More Papers Like This
Tire-Wear Particles as Potential Ice-Nucleating Agents in the Atmosphere
AI summary Read the abstract
Tire-wear particles — one of the largest global sources of microplastic pollution — can become airborne and may influence cloud formation by acting as ice-nucleating agents in the atmosphere. This study found that these particles have the potential to affect cloud glaciation, meaning microplastic pollution could have indirect climate effects beyond what occurs on land and in water.
The Importance of Tire Wear Particles for Atmospheric Ice Nucleation
AI summary Read the abstract
Every time you drive, your tires shed tiny plastic particles into the air—and this study found these particles are surprisingly good at helping clouds form ice, far more so than other types of microplastic pollution. This matters because as car ownership grows worldwide, these tire particles could increasingly influence weather and climate patterns, on top of already being a pollutant we breathe in.
Do Microplastics Contribute to the Total Number Concentration of Ice Nucleating Particles?
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured microplastic concentrations in air near roads and estimated whether road traffic-derived microplastics — from tire wear, brake dust, and road markings — contribute meaningfully to the total number of ice-nucleating particles in the atmosphere. The results showed that traffic-related microplastics do add to ice-nucleating particle counts, though their overall contribution relative to other aerosol sources requires further investigation. The findings are relevant because ice-nucleating particles influence cloud formation and precipitation, meaning airborne microplastics could have subtle effects on regional weather patterns.
Do Microplastics Contribute to the Total Number Concentration of Ice Nucleating Particles?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers modeled road-traffic-related microplastic emissions and estimated their potential contribution to ice-forming particles in clouds. In tropical regions and remote areas like East Antarctica, where other ice-nucleating particles are scarce, microplastics could account for up to 40% of the total ice-nucleating particle concentration. The study suggests that airborne microplastics may be influencing cloud formation and precipitation patterns in ways not previously considered.
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.