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Nano- and microplastics in the environment : presence, effects and their role as a Trojan horse for other pollutants
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This thesis reviews the presence and effects of nano- and microplastics in the environment, examining how they act as carriers for other pollutants and discussing their potential health impacts on ecosystems and humans.
Today, plastic is a widely used material in a variety of sectors. As a result, much of the plastic ends up as waste in the environment, making it a global problem. It is estimated that around 80% of the plastics produced are discarded into the environment. Some of these plastics end up as nanoplastics and microplastics in aquatic systems. The presence of these plastics presents problems due to their size and ability to adsorb and transport emerging pollutants, and consequently facilitate their ingestion by living organisms. The understanding of the effects of micro- and nanoplastics is still limited, largely due to the lack of robust methods for their detection and quantification. In this context, this PhD thesis has aimed at the development of an analytical method for the detection, size characterisation and quantification of plastic microparticles by ICP-MS operated in single particle mode using microsecond dwell times. This method allowed the detection of polystyrene particles up to 1.2 ¿m in size by 13C isotopic tracing and was used to analyse for microplastics in personal care products and those released from food packagings. An analytical platform was also developed for the analysis of environmental samples, such as river water, by combination ofSP-ICP-MS, field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The use of this platform allowed us to determine the presence and chemical identity of plastic microparticles in the analysed river water samples. Also, the adsorption capacity of environmental nanoplastics for emerging pollutants, such as gadolinium-based contrast agents, and their ability to act as competitors of natural colloids were studied. The ability of nanoplastics to act as vectors of emerging pollutants under environmental conditions was demonstrated.
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Nanoplastics as Trojan Horses: Deciphering Complex Connections and Environmental Ramifications: A Review
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This comprehensive review covers nanoplastic formation, physicochemical properties, detection methods, and ecological impacts, with particular focus on nanoplastics acting as carriers that transport toxic chemicals into organisms and the human food chain. Nanoplastics (1–100 nm) present unique risks compared to larger microplastics because their size enables cellular penetration and their high surface-area-to-volume ratio dramatically increases their capacity to concentrate and deliver adsorbed toxins.
The Potential Human Impacts of Environmental Contamination by Microplastics and Nanoplastics: A Review
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Researchers reviewed human health consequences of environmental micro- and nanoplastic contamination, noting that while detection in human tissues is growing, the extent of biological harm remains poorly characterized and requires more systematic study of exposure routes and dose-response relationships.
Introduction to Microplastics: Origin, Environmental Pathways, and Impacts on Ecosystems and Human Health
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Researchers introduced the origins, environmental transport pathways, and ecosystem impacts of microplastics, tracing how the non-biodegradable nature of plastics combined with poor waste management has driven pollution of terrestrial, aquatic, and human biological systems.
Exploring the detrimental effects of nanoplastics on ecosystems and human health
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Tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, so small they can pass through cell walls, have been found everywhere from polar ice to human tissue, and this review pulls together existing research on how they might harm both the environment and our bodies. While scientists are still working out the exact health risks, the concern is that these particles could build up in our organs over time, which is why researchers are calling for more study and better plastic waste management. The takeaway: plastic pollution isn't just an environmental issue anymore, it's becoming a personal health question too.
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