TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- Cirrus cloud is a flock of thin cloud covering a third of the earth. Based on a 9-year research from an interdisciplinary team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the cloud is formed of mineral dust and metal aerosol.

In the research, data gathering is done by putting instruments like particle mass spectrometer and particle collector on the muzzle of a plane. The plane will later fly crossing the cloud, of which the ice particles will stream down a special tube and melt into dust. The dust is a subject of analysis, identified by its size and composition.

Scientists predict that the mineral dust composition concentration will get higher in the future. This is caused by dry environment, shortage of green space, and a shift of rain.

The changing formation of Cirrus cloud is proof that human activity is contaminating the nature. Cziczo and the team found a high level of zinc and copper from industrial activity, floating in the cloud. "Zinc and copper are metal particles derived from industrial activities such as smelting and electronic combustion in open space, "said Cziczo.

Karl Froyd from NOAA said that the circumstance makes it difficult to predict accurately.

NATURE WORLD NEWS | APRILIANI GITA FITRIA