In a new study published in the journal Environmental Chemistry Letters led by Hiroshi Okochi, Professor at Waseda University, a group of Japanese researchers has explored the path of airborne microplastics (AMPs) as they circulate in the biosphere, adversely impacting human health and the climate.
The team collected cloud water from the summit of Mt Fuji, the south-eastern foothills of Mt Fuji (Tarobo), and the summit of Mt. Oyama - regions at altitudes ranging between 1300-3776 meters.
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Using advanced imaging techniques the researchers determined the presence of microplastics in the cloud water and examined their physical and chemical properties. They identified nine different types of polymers and one type of rubber in the AMPs detected.
Scientists found tiny bits of broken plastic called polypropylene in the cloud samples. These pieces were very tiny, between 7.1 to 94.6 micrometres. They also discovered plastic particles in the clouds that like water, help clouds form quickly. This suggests that these plastic bits might be changing how clouds form, which impacts the climate.