Microplastics linked to climate warming and seabird contamination in new studies

Researchers in China and the United States reported that airborne micro- and nanoplastics could contribute up to 16.2% of the particles that cause global warming, based on laboratory experiments and simulations. The findings were published in *Nature* and highlight a previously unassessed climate impact of suspended plastic particles.

An international team led by the University of Coimbra detected 1,275 microplastic particles in the gastrointestinal tracts of seven sub‑Antarctic seabird species, averaging about 17 particles per bird. About 59% of the particles were synthetic plastic, and the study also identified endocrine‑disrupting chemicals, such as flame retardants, in the birds' liver and muscle tissues. These results were published in the *Journal of Hazardous Materials* and underscore the pervasive presence of plastic pollutants even in remote ecosystems, calling for stronger international measures to curb marine plastic pollution.