Japanese researchers confirmed for the first time presence of microplastics in clouds and analyzed their influence on the formation of cumulus clouds and its negative impact on the climate, of an as yet undetermined scale.

The study was carried out by a team led by Professor Hiroshi Okōchi from Waseda University with the help of analysis of cloud water samples taken from the peaks of Mount Fuji and Oyama, at an altitude of 1,300 to 3,776 meters, according to investigation details published yesterday.

Using advanced imaging techniques such as attenuated total reflection or certain types of infrared spectroscopy, the team determined the presence of microplastics in liquid and identified nine different types of polymers and one type of rubber with sizes ranging from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometers.

The researchers observed large amounts of hydrophilic polymers (similar to water), possibly products of the cloud’s own condensation, suggesting that microplastics will already play a key role in cloud formation“which could ultimately affect the climate as a whole,” they note.

“The accumulation of microplastics in the atmosphere, especially in polar regions, could lead to significant changes in the ecological balance of the planet, causing severe loss of biodiversity,” the team noted in announcing their findings.

The decomposition of microplastics in the upper atmosphere is much greater than at ground level due to the strength of ultraviolet radiation” and This degradation results in the release of greenhouse gases and contributes to global warming.“According to Okocha.

The results of the study, he said, can serve consider the impact of microplastics in future global warming projections and seek action in this regard.

“Unless plastic air pollution is proactively addressed, climate change and environmental risks could become a reality. causing serious and irreversible damage to the environment in the future,” adds Okotie.

You might be interested > Some marine mammals are contaminated with microplastics | Study

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, small pieces of this material that are commonly found in industrial wastewater and are formed by the decomposition of larger plastic waste. becomes an environmental threat.

These small fragments were also found. inside fish and other animals which are part of the human diet and can cause both toxic effects such as genetic changes what the scientific community decides to explore.

(EFE)