Microplastics found in clouds could affect weather and global temperatures

Related: Characterization of Microplastics in Clouds over Eastern China (Environmental Science and Technology Letters)

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Source: The Guardian

Microplastics found in clouds could affect weather and global temperatures

Scientists in eastern China find 24 out of 28 water samples have plastic particles commonly seen in synthetic fibers and packaging

Aliya Uteuova
Thu 16 Nov 2023 11.00 GMT
Last modified on Thu 16 Nov 2023 11.02 GMT

Air, water, soil, food and even blood – microplastics have found their way virtually everywhere on Earth, and now that list includes clouds.

Bits of plastic particles were recently discovered above eastern China, with new research showing that these microplastics could influence cloud formation and the weather.

A group of scientists from Shandong University in China collected cloud water atop Mount Tai, finding microplastics in 24 out of 28 samples. They include polyethylene terephthalate (otherwise known as PET), polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene, all particles commonly found in synthetic fibers, clothing and textiles, as well as packaging and face masks.

“This finding provides significant evidence of the presence of abundant MP’s [microplastics] in clouds,” the researchers stated in the paper published today in Environmental Science and Technology Letters.

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Read more: https://archive.li/wYreA

Original Guardian link (registration required): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/16/microplastic-pollution-changing-weather-climate