Microplastics and nanoplastics in the atmosphere: the potential impacts on cloud formation processes

The presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MnPs) in the atmosphere and their transport on a global scale has previously been demonstrated. However, little is known about their environmental impacts. MnPs could act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) or ice nucleating particles (INPs), affecting cloud formation processes. In sufficient quantities, they could change the cloud albedo, precipitation, and lifetime, collectively impacting the Earth’s radiation balance and climate. In this perspective, we evaluate the potential impact of MnPs on cloud formation by assessing their ability to act as CCN or INPs. Based on an analysis of their physicochemical properties, we propose that MnPs can act as INPs and potentially as CCN, after environmental ageing processes, such as photochemical weathering, sorption of macromolecules or trace soluble species onto the particle surface. The actual climate impact(s) of MnPs depend on their abundance relative to other aerosols. The concentration of MnPs in the atmosphere is currently low, so they are unlikely to make a significant contribution to radiative forcing in regions exposed to other anthropogenic aerosol pollution. Nevertheless, MnPs will potentially cause non-negligible perturbations in unpolluted remote/marine clouds and generate local climate impacts, particularly in view of increased MnPs release to the environment in future. Further measurements coupled with better characterization of the physiochemical properties of MnPs will enable a more accurate assessment of climate impacts of MnPs to act as INP and CCN.