Some Microplastics Travel Farther In The Atmosphere, Research Shows

New research is shedding light on how microplastics travel in the atmosphere, which could help find a solution to plastic pollution.

A study from scientists at Cornell and Utah State Universities found that the flatter microplastic fibers are, the farther they travel in Earth's lower atmosphere.

T​his is important because it can help identify the sources of microplastic pollution and track their path.

“If you know where they’re coming from, then you can come up with a better management plan and policies or regulations to reduce the plastic waste," lead author Qi Li said in a news release.

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Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic smaller than about a quarter-inch. They come from a number of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic products like water bottles and food containers.

Li and her team found that flat fibers spend 450% more time in the atmosphere than previously calculated. That means they travel longer distances.

L​i said the research could also help shed light on how other airborne particles travel, including dust and pollen.

(MORE: Thousands Of Nanoplastics Found In Bottled Drinking Water)

Microplastics have been found everywhere from a pristine area deep in the Pyrenees Mountains to Arctic sea ice, and they're in our food and and our water and human lungs and blood.

R​esearch has even shown that microplastics can affect the weather.

Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.

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