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Microplastics as Trojan Horses: Vectors of Pathogens, Pollutants, and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
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This review examines how microplastics act as vectors—or Trojan horses—that adsorb and transport pathogens, chemical pollutants, and other contaminants through aquatic and terrestrial environments. The combined toxicological burden of microplastics and their associated cargo poses compounded risks to ecosystems and human health.
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Microplastics as a Carrier of Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Revision of Literature
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Researchers review evidence that microplastics act as carriers and hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes, influencing bacterial community composition in the environment and potentially accelerating the spread of antibiotic resistance — a dual threat to ecosystem and human health.
A Toxic Journey: Microplastics as Vectors for Contaminants
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Researchers examined how microplastics act as vectors for chemical contaminants, demonstrating that their large surface area, hydrophobicity, and electrostatic properties allow them to adsorb and concentrate heavy metals, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants, amplifying their toxicity as they move through food chains.
Microplastic as a Pathogenic Vector to Cause Diseases in Marine Biota
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Researchers examining microplastics as pathogenic vectors in marine environments found that these particles adsorb and concentrate pollutants and pathogens, facilitating their transfer through food chains and causing ecological harm to marine biota, terrestrial life, and ultimately humans.
The Impact of Microplastics on the Dissemination, Persistence, and Ecotoxicological Effects of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Terrestrial Ecosystems
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This review examined a decade of research on microplastics as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes in terrestrial ecosystems, showing that plastic surfaces enhance gene transmission and soil abundance while exerting toxic effects on microorganisms, plants, and animals. The coupling of microplastic pollution with antibiotic resistance spread represents a compounding public health threat with implications for food safety and the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Microplastic Pollution: Unveiling the Sources, Pathogenesis, and Effective Remediations
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Researchers review the sources, environmental pathways, and health risks of microplastic pollution, and assess the current landscape of remediation technologies, calling for scalable and eco-friendly solutions capable of addressing contamination across soil, water, and biological 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.