Clouds form when water vapor – an invisible gas in the atmosphere – sticks to tiny floating particles, such as dust, and turns into liquid water droplets or ice crystals. In a newly published study, we show that microplastic particles can have the same effects, producing ice crystals at temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (9 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than droplets without microplastics.
This suggests that microplastics in the air may affect weather and climate by producing clouds in conditions where they would not form otherwise.
This story was orginally published by The Conversation. You can read the entire article here.
For more information on microplastics in Rhode Island, read: URI Researchers Say Levels of Microplastics in Narragansett Bay are Concerning.
