Papers

Sources and identification of microplastics in soils

This review summarizes where microplastics in soil come from and how scientists detect them. Major sources include agricultural plastic film, sewage sludge spread on fields, fertilizers, and irrigation water. The paper discusses methods for separating and identifying soil microplastics, which is important because understanding soil contamination helps assess how much plastic may be entering our food from the ground up.

Electroactive properties of EABs in response to long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics/nanoplastics and the underlying adaptive mechanisms

This study investigated how long-term exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affects bacteria that generate electricity in biofilms, which are used in wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring. After initial disruption, the bacteria adapted and actually increased their electrical activity over time. While technically focused on biofilm applications, the findings show that microplastics can fundamentally alter microbial behavior in the environment, which may have broader implications for how polluted ecosystems function.

Amphiphilic CoP/CN heterojunction for photocatalytic microplastics degradation synergistic hydrogen generation

The Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Biological Electrochemical System: A Mini-Review

This review examines how biological electrochemical systems can be used to break down polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, persistent pollutants commonly found in water and sediments. Researchers found that these systems offer an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly approach to degrading these harmful compounds. The study outlines promising directions for scaling up this technology to address real-world contamination.

Microplastics affect the removal of dye in textile wastewater: Adsorption capacity and its effect on coagulation behavior

Soil enzyme-catalyzed humification of phenolic compounds: implications for the environmental fate and risk of emerging contaminants

This review examines how soil enzymes transform phenolic compounds through humification and how this process affects the behavior of emerging contaminants including microplastics. Researchers found that enzyme-generated humic substances can either trap or transport contaminants, creating dual effects on pollution risks. The study highlights that understanding these enzyme-driven processes is essential for predicting how contaminants move through and persist in soils.

Polyethylene Nanoplastics Intensify Arsenic Toxicity in Lettuce by Altering Arsenic Accumulation and Stress Pathways

Researchers grew lettuce in arsenic-contaminated farmland soil amended with polyethylene nanoplastics and found that nanoplastic exposure increased arsenic accumulation in edible leaves by 35–39%, reduced plant biomass by up to 30%, and disrupted antioxidant metabolism, highlighting compounded food safety risks in contaminated agricultural soils.

Microplastic-contamination can reshape plant community by affecting soil properties

Researchers investigated how polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics affect naturally germinated plant communities by altering soil properties. The study found that microplastics changed soil nutrient availability, decreased community stability, and shifted plant species composition, with total phosphorus identified as the strongest driver of changes in plant community structure.

Study on the treatment of simulated dye wastewater containing FMPs using the CW-MFC system

Nanoplastics Intensify Arsenic Toxicity in Lettuce through Altered Uptake and Stress Pathways

Coagulation removal of microplastics from wastewater by magnetic magnesium hydroxide and PAM

Effect and mechanism of coexistence of microplastics on arsenate adsorption capacity in water

Researchers examined how the presence of microplastics affects the ability of different materials to adsorb arsenate from contaminated water. They found that microplastics can interfere with the adsorption process, particularly by competing for binding sites on adsorbent materials like ZIF-8. The study highlights that co-contamination of water with both microplastics and heavy metals may complicate pollution remediation efforts.

Decoding Microplastic-Induced Adaptive Strategies in Electroactive Biofilms: Stress Resistance Pathways and Enhanced Extracellular Electron Transfer

This study examined how PVC and polypropylene microplastics trigger different stress responses in electroactive biofilms used in bioelectrochemical systems, finding PVC induced metabolic adaptation through enzyme upregulation while PP caused physical biofilm restructuring — both ultimately maintaining extracellular electron transfer function.

Coagulation-flocculation performance and floc properties for microplastics removal by magnesium hydroxide and PAM

Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Electronic Sensor System for Food Applications

This paper is not about microplastics. It reviews triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) technology for food safety applications, including self-powered sensors for detecting contaminants during food production and monitoring. While TENGs use polymer materials and the review mentions environmental protection broadly, the study focuses on food quality testing technology rather than microplastic contamination.

Coagulation performance and floc properties for synchronous removal of reactive dye and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics

Biodegradable Microplastics: A Review on the Interaction with Pollutants and Influence to Organisms

This review examines the environmental behavior and toxicity of biodegradable microplastics, noting that natural conditions rarely allow complete degradation and that biodegradable plastics may fragment into microplastics more rapidly than conventional plastics. Under some conditions biodegradable microplastics may pose greater risks to organisms than conventional microplastics, particularly in combination with adsorbed pollutants.

Coagulation properties of magnetic magnesium hydroxide for removal of microplastics in the presence of kaolin and humic acid

A magnetic magnesium hydroxide coagulant was prepared and combined with a polymer flocculant to remove polyethylene microplastics from water, achieving 87.1% removal efficiency. The magnetic component allowed easy post-treatment separation, and the presence of kaolin and humic acid in the water affected removal performance.

Stability of arsenic(Ⅲ, Ⅴ) in galvanized steel pipe scales coexisting with colloidal polystyrene microplastics under drinking water conditions

This study found that colloidal polystyrene microplastics entering drinking water distribution systems can disrupt the stability of arsenic in pipe corrosion scales, potentially mobilizing toxic arsenic into tap water. The results highlight a previously unrecognized pathway by which microplastics could indirectly worsen drinking water quality even beyond their own direct effects.

Efficient Removal of Polyethylene UsingMagnesium Hydroxide and AnionicPolyacrylamide as Dual-Coagulant byCoagulation-Flocculation Processes

Researchers investigated the removal of polyethylene microplastics from simulated natural water using magnesium hydroxide and anionic polyacrylamide as dual coagulants, finding optimal conditions at 40 mg/L Mg2+, pH 12, and 20°C, achieving high removal efficiency via coagulation-flocculation.

The research trend on tire wear particles: A bibliometric review for 1999–2024

Study on the Treatment of Simulated Dye Wastewater Containing Fmps Using the Cw-Mfc System

Effects of Microplastics as Coexisting Pollutants on Arsenate in Water Control Measures and the Related Mechanism

Nitrogen-Doped Calcite Derived from Ca-MOFs as an Efficient Adsorbent for Sr(II) Removal from Water: The Role of Nitrogen and Calcium

Researchers synthesized nitrogen-doped calcite (N-CaCO3) from calcium metal-organic frameworks via solvothermal and calcination methods, achieving a specific surface area 2.19 times greater than undoped CaCO3 and effective adsorption of Sr(II) from simulated water. The material shows promise for removing radioactive strontium-90 contamination from aquatic environments.