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Emerging persistent micro- and nanopollutants in marine ecosystems: sources, risks on seafood security, and current remediation technology
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Our oceans are increasingly polluted with tiny, hard-to-remove particles—heavy metals, engineered nanomaterials, and micro/nanoplastics—that build up in fish and shellfish and can even carry other toxic chemicals along with them into the seafood we eat. This review pulls together existing research on where these pollutants come from and how they threaten seafood safety, while highlighting promising cleanup methods like advanced filters and pollutant-absorbing materials, as well as natural solutions using marine algae and bacteria. The takeaway: protecting seafood safety will likely require combining multiple cleanup str
This review examines the growing concern over persistent, non-biodegradable micro- and nanopollutants in marine environments, driven largely by industrial activities, particularly manufacturing processes involving micro- and nanoparticles. Global oceans are increasingly burdened by complex mixtures of heavy metals, engineered nanomaterials (ENPs), and micro- to nanoplastics, all of which threaten ecosystem integrity and seafood safety. Heavy metals accumulate in sediments and marine organisms, enabling biomagnification through the food web. ENPs, with their nanoscale dimensions and unique physicochemical properties, are difficult to remove using conventional treatment methods. Micro- and nanoplastics worsen the problem by acting as vectors for toxic substances, enhancing their transport and bioavailability across trophic levels. Mitigating these pollutants demands integrated solutions. Advanced separation technologies, such as membrane filtration (MF, UF, NF), achieve high nanoparticle removal efficiency, while adsorption-based materials like MOFs and COFs effectively capture plastics and associated contaminants. Biological strategies, including enzymatic degradation by marine algae and their microbial consortia, offer sustainable, low-impact alternatives for long-term management. The combined application of physical, chemical, and biological interventions provides a multi-barrier defense, improving pollutant removal, reducing ecological risks, and supporting the restoration of marine ecosystem resilience.
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Emerging micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems and nanotechnology-based removal alternatives: A review
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This review examines emerging micropollutants in water systems, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and heavy metals, and how nanotechnology-based approaches can help remove them. These contaminants threaten drinking water safety and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. The paper evaluates various nanomaterial-based filtration and degradation methods as promising solutions for cleaning up contaminated water.
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The invisible pollutant in water: Nanoplastics in seafood
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This review examines the emerging presence of nanoplastics in seawater and seafood, discussing how wild-caught seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination and outlining the analytical challenges of detecting nanoscale particles in food matrices.
The scientific basis for addressing marine micro- and nanoplastic pollution: Informing effective monitoring and remediation frameworks
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This review synthesizes the scientific basis for monitoring and remediating marine micro- and nanoplastic pollution, covering detection technologies, ecotoxicological effects across the food web, and the specific challenges nanoplastics pose due to their nanoscale properties.
Strategies for the Remediation of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Contaminated Food and Water: Advancements and Challenges
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This review summarizes existing research on methods for removing micro- and nanoplastics from contaminated food and water, including filtration, chemical treatment, and biological approaches using microorganisms. While several promising techniques exist, the complexity of real-world plastic pollution makes it difficult to scale these solutions, and more cross-disciplinary research is needed to protect food and water safety.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.