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Papers
1,237 resultsGlobal distribution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in aquatic organisms based on meta-analysis
This meta-analysis assessed the global distribution of microplastics in aquatic organisms across multiple trophic levels, finding that biological characteristics like body size and feeding strategy significantly influence microplastic ingestion rates. The study provides a framework for ecological risk assessment and proposes strategies to reduce microplastic input into water bodies.
Effect of microplastics on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycle in farmland soil: A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 102 studies found that microplastics in farmland soil increased soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen, but also elevated CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions through enhanced carbon mineralization and denitrification. Microplastic biodegradability, size, concentration, and soil properties all drove these effects, suggesting agricultural microplastic pollution may worsen greenhouse gas emissions from farmland.
A global estimate of multiecosystem photosynthesis losses under microplastic pollution
This meta-analysis pooled data from over 3,200 measurements and found that microplastic pollution reduces photosynthesis by 7–12% in plants and algae worldwide. This matters because less photosynthesis means lower crop yields and disrupted ecosystems, which can ultimately affect food security and human nutrition.
Birds as Bioindicators: Revealing the Widespread Impact of Microplastics
This systematic review found microplastics in over 200 bird species across the globe, from Antarctica to South Europe. Birds can suffer gut damage, oxidative stress, and toxic chemical buildup from ingesting plastics — a warning sign for broader ecosystem and food chain contamination that could affect humans too.
The neurotoxic threat of micro- and nanoplastics: evidence from In Vitro and In Vivo models
This systematic review examined 26 studies showing that micro- and nanoplastics can cross into the brain, damage neurons, and trigger inflammation in lab and animal models. These findings raise concerns that long-term plastic exposure could contribute to neurological problems in humans, though more research is needed.
Machine Learning Advancements and Strategies in Microplastic and Nanoplastic Detection
This systematic review looks at how machine learning is improving our ability to detect tiny microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Better detection methods matter because accurately measuring plastic contamination is the first step toward understanding — and reducing — human exposure.
A systematic review of industrial wastewater management: Evaluating challenges and enablers
This systematic review of 66 studies on industrial wastewater management found that while treatment technologies are advancing, major challenges remain in regulation enforcement, cost-effectiveness, and integration of circular economy principles. The research highlights that inadequate industrial wastewater treatment is a significant source of environmental pollutants, including microplastics, entering waterways.
Micro/nanoplastics pollution poses a potential threat to soil health
This large meta-analysis of over 5,000 observations found that micro- and nanoplastics in soil harm crop growth, soil organisms, and microbial communities while increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that plastic pollution poses a broad threat to soil health, which could ultimately affect food production and human well-being.
Global occurrence characteristics, drivers, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in lakes: A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 42 studies found significant heterogeneity in microplastic pollution levels across global lakes, driven by geographical location and sampling methods. Small microplastics (under 1 mm) were disproportionately concentrated in sediment compared to water, and while most lakes showed low overall environmental risk, pollution levels in lake sediments were generally higher than in surrounding water.
Meta-analysis reveals the combined effects of microplastics and heavy metal on plants
A meta-analysis of 57 studies found that the combined toxicity of microplastics and heavy metals on plants is driven primarily by the heavy metals, while microplastics mainly interact by inducing oxidative stress damage. Microplastic biodegradation emerged as a core factor influencing heavy metal accumulation in plants, with culture environment, heavy metal type, exposure duration, and microplastic concentration and size all playing roles.
Meta-analysis of the effects of microplastic on fish: Insights into growth, survival, reproduction, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota diversity
A meta-analysis of 3,757 biological endpoints from 85 studies found that microplastic exposure significantly inhibits fish growth, survival, and reproduction while increasing oxidative damage, but does not significantly alter gut microbiota diversity. The severity of toxic effects depends on microplastic type, size, concentration, exposure pathway, and the fish's life stage.
Occurrence, transport, and toxicity of microplastics in tropical food chains: perspectives view and way forward
This systematic review of 206 publications found that microplastics move through both aquatic and terrestrial food chains, accumulating as they transfer from lower to higher trophic levels. The interactions between microorganisms and microplastics facilitate the transport of associated pollutants like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants to top predators, including humans who consume contaminated food.
Meta-analysis of impacts of microplastics on plant heavy metal(loid) accumulation
A meta-analysis of 3,226 observations found that microplastics promoted plant uptake of cadmium (11%), lead (30%), and copper (47.1%) in shoots, but decreased arsenic accumulation by 22.6%. Microplastics increased available soil concentrations of these metal cations while lowering soil pH, with machine learning revealing that soil pH and total heavy metal concentration are the primary drivers of plant metal accumulation.
A systematic review of the impacts of exposure to micro- and nano-plastics on human tissue accumulation and health
This systematic review found growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in human tissues including lungs, gut, and blood, with lab studies showing potential disruption to immune, reproductive, endocrine, and nervous systems. The review identifies ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact as the three main exposure routes and highlights that the smallest nanoplastic particles pose the greatest concern due to their ability to cross biological barriers.
Microplastics in drinking water: A review on methods, occurrence, sources, and potential risks assessment
This systematic review found that microplastics are widespread in drinking water worldwide, with most particles smaller than 10 micrometers and composed of polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Standardized sampling and analysis methods are urgently needed, as large variations in reported concentrations make it difficult to accurately assess health risks from drinking water exposure.
Systematic review of microplastics and nanoplastics in indoor and outdoor air: identifying a framework and data needs for quantifying human inhalation exposures
This systematic review is the first to examine microplastic levels in both indoor and outdoor air and estimate how much people inhale. The findings suggest we are breathing in microplastic particles daily, with indoor air often containing higher concentrations due to synthetic textiles and household materials.
Do Added Microplastics, Native Soil Properties, and Prevailing Climatic Conditions Have Consequences for Carbon and Nitrogen Contents in Soil? A Global Data Synthesis of Pot and Greenhouse Studies
This meta-analysis examined how microplastics affect carbon and nitrogen levels in soil, which are key to soil fertility. The results show that certain types of plastics — especially smaller, fiber-shaped particles — can significantly alter soil chemistry, potentially affecting crop growth and soil health.
Recent advances on microplastic aging: Identification, mechanism, influence factors, and additives release
This review found that environmental aging transforms microplastic surface properties through abrasion, chemical oxidation, UV irradiation, and biodegradation, altering their environmental behavior and ecological risk. Aging also triggers the release of toxic plastic additives, but significant gaps remain between laboratory aging simulations and real-world conditions.
A Systematic Review on Microplastic Contamination in Fishes of Asia: Polymeric Risk Assessment and Future Prospectives
This systematic review found widespread microplastic contamination in freshwater and saltwater fish across Asia, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common plastic types. Since fish is a major protein source for billions of people, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.
Biochar-mediated remediation of uranium-contaminated soils: evidence, mechanisms, and perspectives
This meta-analysis found that adding biochar to uranium-contaminated soils significantly reduced uranium bioavailability by about 59% and shoot uranium accumulation by about 40%. Biochar works through adsorption, complexation, and by enhancing soil microbial communities, demonstrating its potential as a practical remediation tool for heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands.
A global meta-analysis of phthalate esters in drinking water sources and associated health risks
This meta-analysis examined phthalate levels — chemicals that leach from plastics — in drinking water sources around the world. Several phthalates exceeded safe limits in certain regions, posing potential health risks including hormone disruption and cancer, especially with long-term exposure.
Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review
This systematic review examined studies on how microplastic exposure affects human digestive, reproductive, and respiratory health. Early evidence suggests links to gut inflammation, reproductive issues, and lung irritation, though the review notes that more high-quality human studies are urgently needed.
An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses Evaluating Associations between Human Health and Exposure to Major Classes of Plastic-Associated Chemicals
This umbrella review — a review of existing meta-analyses — assessed the health effects of chemicals found in plastics, including BPA, phthalates, and PFAS. The evidence links these plastic-associated chemicals to hormonal disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic issues, and increased cancer risk across many studies.
Global Responses of Soil Carbon Dynamics to Microplastic Exposure: A Data Synthesis of Laboratory Studies
This meta-analysis combined data from 110 studies to understand how microplastics change the way carbon moves through soil. The findings suggest that plastic pollution can disrupt natural soil processes, which may affect soil health and the planet's ability to store carbon.