Scientists have found microplastics in the atmosphere all over the planet - it even reached the Arctic

Researchers from Germany and Norway have found microplastic particles in the atmosphere. It has already spread thousands of kilometers from land and even reached such a remote corner of the planet as the Arctic. About this they told in his article for the scientific journal Nature Communications.

A team of scientists took samples along the Norwegian coast all the way to Earth's northernmost mainland. With the help of special equipment aboard the research vessel, they were able to explore the air at a height of 12 meters above sea level. The results showed that polymers are now ubiquitous.

The samples contained polyester fibers used in the production of clothing, and rubber particles from tires. The concentration of these substances reaches 37.5 nanograms per cubic meter of air.

To determine the sources of their release into the atmosphere, the team conducted computer simulations of the reverse trajectory of air masses. It turned out that the discovered pieces of plastic come from land-based sources and ships - the samples contained chemicals that are used in their coloring. In addition, polymers enter the atmosphere from the ocean. Debris floating on the surface of the water is thrown back into the air during turbulent waves.

The authors of the study believe that in order to reduce air pollution, it is necessary to reduce the production of plastic and improve its processing into secondary raw materials.