Atmospheric microplastics heat air, adding roughly 16% of soot's climate impact

Recent research shows that microscopic plastic particles suspended in the atmosphere can act like tiny heaters, raising air temperature. The study estimates this warming effect to be about 16 % of the climate influence exerted by black carbon (soot).

The heating is especially linked to colored plastic particles, which absorb more radiation. While microplastics are already known for their environmental hazards, the findings highlight a new pathway by which they may affect global climate dynamics.