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Microplastic Research Index
Explore 82,947 peer-reviewed papers on microplastic science, health effects, and remediation.
Browse by Topic ? Papers with this as their primary AI-assigned topic.
Research by Polymer ? Papers mentioning this polymer, identified by keyword matching in titles and abstracts.
82,947
Total Papers ? All papers in the Atlas corpus from OpenAlex and PubMed, regardless of classification or summary status.
64,817
With Summaries ? Papers with a Claude-generated plain-language summary. Requires an abstract — 18,083 papers have none.
1,237
Tier 1 Evidence ? Systematic reviews and meta-analyses — studies that synthesize evidence across many primary studies. Strongest evidence tier.
6
Paper Categories ? Number of distinct AI-assigned paper types with more than 100 papers in the corpus.
Latest Findings
View all →Microplastic toxicity in shrimp: From mechanistic pathways to ecological implications.
Researchers systematically reviewed 94 studies on microplastic toxicity in shrimp, mapping mechanistic pathways from particle characteristics to oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, neurotoxicity, and reproductive impairment across hepatopancreas, gills, gut, and gonad tissues, and identifying shrimp as effective bioindicators for aquatic microplastic risk assessment.
Correction: Wavelength-specific UV LED and far-UVC degradation of microplastics.
Researchers issued a correction to a published study on wavelength-specific UV LED and far-UVC degradation of microplastics, updating findings from the original 2026 investigation.
Not one-size-fits-all: µ-FTIR and pyrolysis GC-MS for complementary analysis of microplastics in eutrophic surface water.
Researchers applied a combined stereomicroscopy, micro-FTIR, and pyrolysis GC-MS workflow to surface water samples from Lake Victoria, finding polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymers by particle count while pyrolysis GC-MS quantified seven additional polymers — including nylons and PET — largely invisible to FTIR, demonstrating the complementary value of both techniques.
Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of marine plastic pollution: Evaluating policy effectiveness and mitigation strategies in the Global South.
Researchers synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence on marine plastic pollution in the Global South, identifying rapid urbanization, inadequate waste infrastructure, and weak governance as primary drivers, and recommending integrated strategies combining single-use plastic bans, extended producer responsibility, regional cooperation, and circular economy incentives.
Sea anemones extract tin associated with polyvinyl chloride pre-production pellets.
Researchers conducted feeding experiments with sea anemones exposed to PVC pre-production pellets for 10 days, finding that anemones accumulated significantly elevated tin concentrations relative to controls — exceeding amounts present in the pellets themselves — suggesting that loosely associated tin from multiple environmental sources contributes to the observed bioaccumulation.
Adsorption performance and mechanisms of ciprofloxacin onto microplastics: effects of different textures and aging degrees.
Researchers examined ciprofloxacin adsorption onto pristine and UV-aged polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyamide 6 microplastics, finding that UV aging increased oxygen-containing surface functional groups and raised maximum adsorption capacity by up to 40%, with density functional theory calculations identifying hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and π interactions as primary binding mechanisms.
Landmark Studies
View all →Distribution of plastic polymer types in the marine environment; A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis pools data from studies worldwide to map which types of plastic polymers are found in different parts of the ocean. The research found that plastic particles sort themselves by density, with lighter plastics floating at the surface and denser ones sinking to the seafloor, creating distinct contamination patterns. Understanding where different plastics accumulate helps predict which marine organisms are most exposed and how microplastics may enter the seafood supply chain.
Microplastics in the aquatic environment: Evidence for or against adverse impacts and major knowledge gaps
This systematic review weighs the evidence for and against microplastics causing environmental harm in aquatic ecosystems. The researchers confirm that microplastics are widespread in the environment but note that major knowledge gaps remain, making it difficult to fully assess the risks these particles pose to wildlife and, by extension, to human health through the food chain.
A meta-analysis of the effects of exposure to microplastics on fish and aquatic invertebrates
Microplastic effects on fish and aquatic invertebrates were highly variable across taxa, but the most consistent finding was reduced consumption of natural prey when microplastics were present; zooplankton and other prey organisms appeared particularly susceptible, with potential food web ramifications.
What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
This meta-analysis and systematic review pools data from hundreds of studies to assess whether plastic pollution, both large pieces and microplastics, poses a real ecological threat. The findings confirm negative effects on wildlife across many species and environments, underscoring that plastic pollution is not just an aesthetic problem but a genuine risk to ecosystems and the food chains humans rely on.
The ecological impacts of marine debris: unraveling the demonstrated evidence from what is perceived
This systematic review critically examined the evidence for ecological damage caused by marine debris, including plastic pollution. Researchers found 366 perceived environmental threats from marine debris, and when tested, 83% of those threats were confirmed through scientific studies. This large-scale confirmation of marine debris impacts reinforces concerns about microplastics harming ocean ecosystems that humans depend on for food.
Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of microplastics in marine organisms: A review and meta-analysis of current data
This meta-analysis reviews current evidence on whether microplastics accumulate and concentrate as they move up the marine food chain. The findings have direct implications for seafood safety, since biomagnification would mean that larger predatory fish consumed by humans could contain higher concentrations of microplastics and their associated chemical additives.