Papers

Global microplastic pollution at levels harmful to marine life

This meta-analysis pools data from 334 studies to quantify microplastic levels across all major marine habitats worldwide. The findings show that microplastic pollution has already reached levels harmful to marine life in many locations, which matters for human health because contaminated seafood is a significant pathway for microplastic exposure in our diets.

Uptake, growth, and oxidative stress responses of Rhizophora mucronata (Poir. in Lam.) propagules exposed to high-density polyethylene microplastics

Researchers exposed mangrove propagules to environmentally relevant concentrations of high-density polyethylene microplastics for three months and found that the particles accumulated on root surfaces and translocated into the shoot system. The microplastics caused significant reductions in root length, plant height, and foliar area, along with increased oxidative stress indicators. The study suggests that microplastic pollution poses a real threat to mangrove growth and could ultimately affect the diversity and productivity of mangrove forests.

Physiological responses of Gutweed Ulva intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1753) exposed to high-density polyethylene microplastics

Researchers exposed the green macroalga Ulva intestinalis to high-density polyethylene microplastics and observed significant negative physiological effects after 14 days. The exposed algae showed reduced growth rates and chlorophyll content alongside elevated protein damage markers, suggesting that microplastic pollution can impair basic physiological processes in marine autotrophic organisms.

Microplastics in fecal samples of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and from surface water in the Philippines

Researchers documented microplastic ingestion by whale sharks in the Philippines through fecal sample analysis and compared it with surface water contamination, providing direct evidence that these filter-feeding megafauna ingest microplastics in a recognized pollution hotspot.

Impact of mangrove forest structure and landscape on macroplastics capture

Researchers surveyed macroplastic accumulation across seven mangrove forests in the Philippines, finding 1.1 items per square meter on average with the highest abundance at landward zones and near river mouths. Mangrove biomass and root structure were positively correlated with plastic capture, confirming that mangrove structural complexity enhances their ability to trap land-derived plastic litter.

Low microplastic abundance in Siganus spp. from the Tañon Strait, Central Philippines

Microplastics were found at low abundance in rabbitfish (Siganus spp.) from the Tañon Strait in the central Philippines, with fiber types dominating and concentrations lower than reported in fish from more heavily polluted Asian coastal waters.

The nexus of macroplastic and microplastic research and plastic regulation policies in the Philippines marine coastal environments

This study examined the relationship between macroplastic and microplastic research output and plastic regulation policies in the Philippines, one of the world's top plastic polluters, assessing how scientific evidence has informed or failed to influence coastal environmental policy.

Plastic waste occurrence on a beach off southwestern Luzon, Philippines

Researchers documented plastic waste on a beach in southwestern Luzon, Philippines, finding high levels of macroplastic litter and establishing baseline microplastic contamination data for a country identified as one of the largest contributors of plastic waste to the ocean.

On the Adsorbent, Membrane, and Sensor Function of 2D Graphenylene: A Density Functional Theory Study

Researchers used density functional theory simulations to characterize 2D graphenylene networks as multifunctional water purification materials, finding they can spontaneously adsorb heavy metals and organic contaminants, selectively permeate certain ions, and — with strategic silicon doping — enable highly selective sensing of cadmium.

Are mangrove ecosystems plastic accumulation zones?

Researchers monitored macroplastic and microplastic pollution across nine mangrove sites on Cebu Island, Philippines, for over a year using paired removal and reference plots, finding that mangrove ecosystems function as significant plastic accumulation zones with differing dynamics between landward and seaward zones.

Uptake, Growth, and Oxidative Stress Responses of Rhizophora Mucronata (Poir. In Lam.) Propagules Exposed to High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics

Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Commercially sold fishes from Cebu Island, Philippines

Microplastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of three commercially important fish species sold in public markets in Cebu Island, Philippines. The presence of microplastics in food fish at the point of sale highlights a direct pathway for human exposure through seafood consumption.

Drivers and Impacts of Microplastics in Estuaries

This review maps how microplastics enter estuaries from domestic, industrial, and stormwater sources and documents which species are affected. Multiple fish and invertebrate species have been found to ingest microplastics in estuarine environments, raising concerns about seafood contamination and food web impacts.

A Global Synthesis of Microplastic Densities and Stocks in the Marine Environment

A Call for Digital Transformation in the Marine Environmental Protection Sector: A case for marine plastic litter pollution monitoring

This paper calls for digital transformation tools to improve marine plastic litter monitoring in the Philippines, one of the world's top contributors to ocean plastic pollution. The authors argue that combining baseline data collection with digital monitoring systems would help the country better track and reduce its contribution to marine microplastic contamination.