Microplastics are commonly found in rivers, oceans, and land, but scientists in New Zealand found them in the air we breathe. The scientists also noted that this airborne pollution is likely to be affecting climate change. Researchers at the University of Canterbury led a new modelling study suggesting this pollution can contribute to the warming and cooling of the atmosphere.
Lead Author and atmospheric Chemist Laura Revell said “We studied how microplastic fragments and fibre, two types of microplastics commonly found in the atmosphere, interact with light and used this information in a global climate model to calculate the overall impact of airborne microplastics on Earth’s climate,”
The researchers believe that if the amount of airborne microplastics continues to grow at its current rate, the particles could absorb a lot more sunlight and radiation. Revell explained that “Because they absorb, emit and scatter radiation, like other components of the atmosphere such as dust or greenhouse gases, they can affect the climate by cooling or warming the atmosphere,”
For more information about the source click HERE