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Global disparities and climatic-economic drivers of micro/nanoplastic accumulation in animals and humans
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This review of over 200 studies found that animals with the highest microplastic and nanoplastic body burdens are concentrated in North America, Germany, and Spain, and identified climatic and economic factors — particularly higher temperatures and industrialization — as key drivers of accumulation patterns globally.
With the ongoing global warming and economic development, micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) have become widespread in the environment and food chain, posing potential health risk to animals and humans. However, a comprehensive understanding of their distribution in animals worldwide and the potential influence of climate and economic factors remains lacking. In this review, we analyze over 200 studies published between 2010 and 2024, systematically summarizing the occurrence of MPs/NPs in various animal tissues across different regions and habitats, as well as patterns of human exposure. Results show that animals with high levels of MPs/NPs are distributed in North America, Germany, and Spain, and the content of MPs/NPs varies by up to 375 times between different regions of the same species. Moreover, the abundance of MPs/NPs in fish and shellfish shows a decreasing trend with increasing latitude. The most popular polymer types, morphologies and colors of MPs/NPs in animals are polyethylene (PE), fiber and black, respectively. Random forest analysis indicates that high temperature is the most influential factor affecting the occurrence of MPs/NPs in animals (31.55 %), while gross domestic product (GDP) has the greatest impact on the occurrence of MPs/NPs in humans (46.13 %). This review offers a global perspective on MPs/NPs contamination in animals and humans, improving ecological risk assessment based on temperature, human activity intensity, and economic level.
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This large-scale review of 228 studies maps how microplastics and nanoplastics spread through marine, freshwater, soil, and air environments worldwide. The research reveals emerging threats including plastics carrying disease-causing pathogens, interfering with ocean carbon capture, and accelerating ice melting, all of which have indirect consequences for human health and food safety.
Geographical and ecological factors affect microplastic body burden in marine fish at global scale
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This systematic review analyzed microplastic levels found in marine fish worldwide and identified key factors driving contamination. Fish from areas with heavy human activity contained more microplastics, and since many of these species are eaten by people, this contamination represents a direct route of human exposure through seafood.
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This review examines the global distribution and abundance of microplastics across marine and freshwater ecosystems. Researchers found that microplastic accumulation varies significantly based on geographic location, water movement patterns, and proximity to human activity. The study emphasizes that without proper regulations to curb plastic pollution, microplastics will continue to threaten aquatic environments and, ultimately, human well-being.
Micro(nano)plastics sources, fate, and effects: What we know after ten years of research
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Researchers summarized a decade of advances in micro- and nanoplastic (MnP) research, documenting how these particles have been found in every environment on Earth — including air, snow, soil, and human tissue — and in thousands of species, with confirmed harmful effects. The review highlights major breakthroughs in detection methods while noting that the full scope of health impacts, especially at the nano scale, is still being uncovered.
Effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the distribution and abundance of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems
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Researchers reviewed nearly 6,500 articles to identify the environmental and human factors driving microplastic distribution in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. They found that both natural factors like water flow and temperature, and human activities like urbanization and agriculture, significantly influence where microplastics accumulate in rivers and lakes. The study provides a framework for predicting microplastic pollution hotspots and prioritizing monitoring efforts in freshwater systems.
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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.