Atmospheric Microplastics: The Concealed Particulates Influencing Cloud Formulation and Climate Change

by François Dupont
9 comments
Airborne Microplastics and Climate Change

A research initiative by Waseda University accentuates the ubiquitous problem of microplastics suspended in the air, elucidating their role in the creation of clouds and their possible contribution to the escalation of global warming.

Scientists from Japan have scrutinized the occurrence of airborne microplastics in cloud water and their implications for global climate alteration.

Particles of plastic measuring under 5 mm are termed as “microplastics.” These minuscule fragments frequently originate from industrial discharges or result from the disintegration of larger plastic debris. Studies indicate that substantial quantities of microplastics are consumed or breathed in by both humans and animals, and have been discovered in various internal organs like lungs, heart, bloodstream, placenta, and excrement. Approximately ten million tons of such particles find their way into the oceans, from which they are ejected into the air through sea spray. This suggests that microplastics could be an integral element of cloud systems, thereby polluting almost everything we consume and hydrate with, through what can be called “synthetic precipitation.” While the majority of microplastic studies have been centered around aquatic habitats, only a handful have investigated their effect on cloud composition and climate variation as suspended particles.

Airborne Microplastics: Consequences for Human Health and Climatic Conditions

In a recently published research paper in the journal Environmental Chemistry Letters, Hiroshi Okochi, Professor at Waseda University, along with a team of Japanese scholars, probed the trajectory of airborne microplastics as they circulate through the biosphere, negatively affecting human well-being and the climate. The study also included contributions from Yize Wang of Waseda University and Yasuhiro Niida of PerkinElmer Japan Co. Ltd. Okochi expounded, “Microplastics in the free troposphere contribute to global pollution. Failure to adequately tackle the issue of airborne plastic contamination could result in heightened climate change risks and irremediable environmental degradation in the future.”

Research Procedures: Monitoring Atmospheric Microplastics

To explore the impact of these minuscule plastic fragments in the troposphere and the atmospheric boundary layer, the researchers collected samples of cloud water from the peak of Mount Fuji, the south-eastern foothills of Mount Fuji (Tarobo), and the apex of Mount Oyama—areas with altitudes varying between 1300-3776 meters. Through sophisticated imaging technologies such as attenuated total reflection imaging and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR ATR imaging), the team confirmed the presence of microplastics in the cloud water and scrutinized their physicochemical attributes.

Observations: Role of Microplastics in Climate Dynamics

The study identified nine distinct categories of polymers and a single type of rubber present in the airborne microplastics. Remarkably, a considerable amount of the identified polypropylene was in a degraded state, featuring carbonyl (C=O) and/or hydroxyl (OH) groups. The Feret dimensions of these airborne microplastics ranged between 7.1 – 94.6 µm, which are the smallest measurements observed in the free troposphere. Additionally, the analysis showed an abundance of hydrophilic (water-attracting) polymers in the cloud water, suggesting their role as “cloud condensation nuclei.” These observations corroborate that airborne microplastics have a crucial function in the rapid formation of clouds, potentially impacting the global climate system.

Final Thoughts: Implications for Future Scenarios

The accumulation of airborne microplastics, particularly in the polar regions, may induce considerable shifts in the planet’s ecological equilibrium, culminating in substantial biodiversity loss. Okochi concludes by noting, “Airborne microplastics degrade at a much faster rate in the upper atmosphere compared to terrestrial conditions due to intense ultraviolet radiation. This degradation process releases greenhouse gases and thus contributes to global warming. Consequently, the outcomes of this research can inform future projections related to global warming due to airborne microplastics.”

Reference: “Airborne Hydrophilic Microplastics in Cloud Water at High Altitudes and Their Role in Cloud Formation,” authored by Yize Wang, Hiroshi Okochi, Yuto Tani, Hiroshi Hayami, Yukiya Minami, Naoya Katsumi, Masaki Takeuchi, Atsuyuki Sorimachi, Yusuke Fujii, Mizuo Kajino, Kouji Adachi, Yasuhiro Ishihara, Yoko Iwamoto and Yasuhiro Niida, published on 14 August 2023 in Environmental Chemistry Letters.

DOI: 10.1007/s10311-023-01626-x

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Airborne Microplastics and Climate Change

What is the main focus of the research conducted by Waseda University?

The main focus of the research led by Waseda University is to understand the role of airborne microplastics in cloud formation and their potential impact on global warming and human health.

What are airborne microplastics?

Airborne microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 mm in size, that are suspended in the air. They often originate from industrial discharges or the degradation of larger plastic waste.

How do airborne microplastics affect cloud formation?

The research indicates that airborne microplastics act as “cloud condensation nuclei,” playing a crucial role in the rapid formation of clouds. They were found in cloud water samples collected from mountain summits in Japan.

What methodologies were employed in the study?

The team collected cloud water samples from various altitudes, ranging between 1300-3776 meters. Advanced imaging techniques such as attenuated total reflection imaging and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR ATR imaging) were used to confirm the presence of microplastics and analyze their physical and chemical properties.

What types of polymers were identified in the airborne microplastics?

Nine different categories of polymers and a single type of rubber were identified. Notably, a significant amount of degraded polypropylene featuring carbonyl (C=O) and/or hydroxyl (OH) groups was detected.

How might airborne microplastics contribute to climate change?

Airborne microplastics in the atmosphere, especially in polar regions, could induce shifts in the planet’s ecological balance, leading to significant loss of biodiversity. Their degradation in the upper atmosphere releases greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming.

What are the implications for public health?

Substantial quantities of airborne microplastics are ingested or inhaled by humans, and have been discovered in various internal organs such as the lungs, heart, bloodstream, placenta, and feces. This poses risks to public health, although the exact implications are still not fully understood.

Who were the contributors to this study?

The study was led by Hiroshi Okochi, Professor at Waseda University, and included contributions from Yize Wang of Waseda University and Yasuhiro Niida of PerkinElmer Japan Co. Ltd.

What are the future implications of this research?

The research underscores the need for proactive measures to address airborne plastic contamination to mitigate its adverse effects on climate change and human health. The findings can also inform future global warming projections related to airborne microplastics.

Where was the research published?

The research was published in the journal Environmental Chemistry Letters on August 14, 2023, with the DOI: 10.1007/s10311-023-01626-x.

More about Airborne Microplastics and Climate Change

You may also like

9 comments

Sara Williams September 27, 2023 - 5:00 pm

Are we basically saying that we’re breathing, eating and drinking plastic now? I find this study both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.

Reply
Mark Davis September 27, 2023 - 10:45 pm

So microplastics are now a cloud thing too? Man, where does it end? Also, props to the researchers for using advanced tech to get to the bottom of this.

Reply
Alex Brown September 28, 2023 - 4:09 am

makes you wonder what’s next… plastic’s literally everywhere, even up in the clouds. Talk about a pervasive problem. What’s the solution here?

Reply
Tom White September 28, 2023 - 4:43 am

wait, so if I get this right, these microplastics also mess up the climate? As if global warming wasn’t enough, now we gotta worry bout this too?

Reply
Alice Lee September 28, 2023 - 6:06 am

I’ve always been skeptical of how much damage microplastics can do. but reading this, I gotta say it’s starting to look like a much bigger issue than I thought.

Reply
Mike Roberts September 28, 2023 - 6:16 am

Kudos to Waseda University for digging deep into this. The implications are massive, both for our health and the planet. Something’s gotta be done, and fast.

Reply
Emily Johnson September 28, 2023 - 7:08 am

This is eye-opening! I mean we talk about plastic in the ocean all the time but who would’ve thought it affects cloud formation. Time to really rethink our plastic use, right?

Reply
John Smith September 28, 2023 - 9:44 am

Wow, never knew microplastics are actually in the air we breathe. thats seriously concerning. What’re we gonna do about it?

Reply
Rachel Green September 28, 2023 - 11:58 am

Holy cow, they did the study in the mountains? That’s some dedication. But really, the more I read about this, the more worried I get.

Reply

Leave a Comment

* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

SciTechPost is a web resource dedicated to providing up-to-date information on the fast-paced world of science and technology. Our mission is to make science and technology accessible to everyone through our platform, by bringing together experts, innovators, and academics to share their knowledge and experience.

Subscribe

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!