How Microplastics Are Likely Helping To Heat Up the Planet 43
A new Nature Climate Change study suggests airborne microplastics -- especially darker and colored particles -- are likely contributing to atmospheric warming by absorbing more heat than they reflect. Researchers estimate the effect could be roughly one-sixth that of black carbon, though outside experts say the uncertainties remain large and more study is needed before drawing firm policy conclusions. "We can say with confidence that overall they are warming agents," said Drew Shindell, a Duke University earth science professor and co-author of the study. "To me, that's the big advance." The Washington Post reports: To undertake their study, a group led by researchers at Fudan University in China examined how different colors and sizes of microplastics interact with light across the spectrum, while combining that information with simulations of how particles get dispersed in the air across the planet. "Black, yellow, blue and red [particles] absorb sunlight much more strongly than the white particles," Yu Liu, a Fudan professor and study co-author, said in a call with reporters. In fact, the study details how black and colored particles showed "absorption levels nearly 75 times higher than pristine, non-pigmented plastics." The scientists also found that different sizes of particles absorb light at different intensities -- and that how they absorb light can change as they age.
The authors estimate that microplastics suspended in the atmosphere could be contributing to global warming at about one-sixth the amount of black carbon, also known as soot, a pollutant generated largely from burning fossil fuels. If the latest estimates are right, Shindell said, microplastics might not be an enormous source of atmospheric warming, compared with massive contributors such as cars and trucks, belching industrial plants or even burping cows. "But not a trivial one, either," he said.
By his calculation, the effect of one year's microplastic emissions globally is approximately equivalent to 200 coal-fired power plants running for that year. But that rough estimate does not factor the longer-term repercussions of microplastics decaying and persisting in the environment for decades to come. Whatever the exact impact, the topic deserves further study, the authors say, because current climate modeling does not account for any additional warming that these tiny particles might be causing.
The authors estimate that microplastics suspended in the atmosphere could be contributing to global warming at about one-sixth the amount of black carbon, also known as soot, a pollutant generated largely from burning fossil fuels. If the latest estimates are right, Shindell said, microplastics might not be an enormous source of atmospheric warming, compared with massive contributors such as cars and trucks, belching industrial plants or even burping cows. "But not a trivial one, either," he said.
By his calculation, the effect of one year's microplastic emissions globally is approximately equivalent to 200 coal-fired power plants running for that year. But that rough estimate does not factor the longer-term repercussions of microplastics decaying and persisting in the environment for decades to come. Whatever the exact impact, the topic deserves further study, the authors say, because current climate modeling does not account for any additional warming that these tiny particles might be causing.
especially darker and colored particles (Score:5, Funny)
Obviously we need to release more white coloured micro plastis
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And transparent. I, for one, welcome more transparent clothes!
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And transparent. I, for one, welcome more transparent clothes!
Only the emperor has such magnificently transparent clothes you would swear he was wearing nothing at all.
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Stupid sexy emperor!
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Obviously we need to release more white coloured micro plastis
While funny, that’s not actually how it works. Releasing small particles into the atmosphere of any color can greatly enhance the nucleation process and is especially effective at trapping heat by letting more energy in than radiated heat outward. Then the obvious answer becomes we must pollute more fine particles in the upper atmosphere, preferably by removing all regulations like for container ships so it’s profitable. /sarcasm
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glitter! we need glitter containers!
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By that logic... (Score:1)
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Rubbish. We just need to paint them white
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Rubbish. We just need to paint them white
Are you saying Michael Jackson tried to save the planet, and it just didn’t really catch on fashionably?
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and the Rolling stones are climate criminals
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and the Rolling stones are climate criminals
Is it the fact that they’re still alive despite every shred of medical evidence, or the fact they might actually do another “farewell” tour after thirty fucking years of farewell tours? Just curious as to where to count my carbon credits, assuming you’re not talking about the magazine who can’t publish a Best Guitarists of All Time list worth a shit.
Re: By that logic... (Score:3)
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Vitiglio was just nature trying to save itself.
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I saw a documentary on that once. It took place on the moon...
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Re: By that logic... (Score:2)
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I suggest you cry about it more. Maybe you'll get a headpat.
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Fewer FFS!
Re: By that logic... (Score:2)
No. He means less of each person
How does this compare (Score:4, Interesting)
With sand and dirt?
Re: How does this compare (Score:2)
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I seen volcanic rock in the desert in summer get so hot you could literally cook on it would be far worse than microplastics
ag film raises albedo [researchgate.net] but that's separated from the surface, not laying on it like microparticles. It's a pretty interesting subject.
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That's what I am trying to figure out, the best I can think of is the albedo effect but microplastics is way to small to have that effect,
Yes, it's the albedo, and also yes, too small to have a significant effect compared to the main driver, the greenhouse effect..
The summary actually states this:
But then undercuts that with
Spoiler: yes, it's trivial.
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Or cover black roofs with white paint.
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Sorry, the hoa won't allow that.
Likely (Score:4, Insightful)
Ping me back when you prove it. Until then, I'm not interested in "maybes". Not that I don't believe you that it's a plausible theory. I just don't have time for the barrage of unconfirmed shocking science news everyday anymore.
Wow (Score:2)
Re: Wow (Score:2)
I imagine microplastics research is quite lucrative at the moment.
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It's the new cholesterol. In fact, some types of microplastics are essential for good health.
So what? (Score:2)
We only allow white and clear plastics? Also, this hand waving calculation garbage has to stop. Oh, I think it's 200 coal fired plants. I can't make decisions off of that.
bogeyman boo boo (Score:2)
Bogeyman, bogeyman, hide hide!
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You don't understand. See, human activity is destroying the planet, so what you need to do is give up all your money, rights, and prosperity to the people who have been directing the vast majority of that activity for the past century. That's how we fix it.
Any headline containing "Likely"... (Score:2)
So fast fashion will stop using plastic... (Score:2)
So when will the clothing industry be discontinuing the use of plastics in clothing? Each time you wash polyester, you are adding more micro-plastics to the water supply that can't be filtered out. Oh, to much money to change. Never mind. Fashion is important after all.