Microplastics Found to Influence Cloud Formation and Weather Patterns

Recent research indicates that microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, may be altering cloud formation and affecting weather patterns, Live Science reported yesterday.

Scientists discovered that these particles can nucleate ice crystals at temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius warmer than droplets without microplastics. This suggests that microplastics could enable cloud formation under conditions where it typically wouldn’t occur, potentially increasing precipitation.

The study involved testing common plastics, including polyethylene and polypropylene, both in their pristine state and after exposure to environmental factors like UV light and ozone. Results showed that microplastics could facilitate ice formation, which is crucial since most precipitation begins as ice particles in clouds.

Understanding the concentration of microplastics in the atmosphere is vital for assessing their impact on global weather and climate. The research underscores the need for further studies to model how these ubiquitous pollutants interact with other atmospheric particles, such as mineral dust and biological materials, to influence cloud dynamics and climate systems.