We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
51 resultsShowing papers from Zhejiang Shuren University
ClearPhysiological and biochemical effects of polystyrene micro/nano plastics on Arabidopsis thaliana
Experiments on the model plant Arabidopsis showed that polystyrene nano- and microplastics reduced seed germination, stunted growth, lowered chlorophyll levels, and triggered oxidative stress in roots, with smaller particles and higher concentrations causing the most damage. These findings raise concerns about how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil could affect crop health and ultimately food production.
Behavioral toxicity and neurotoxic mechanisms of PLA-PBAT biodegradable microplastics in zebrafish
This study tested the toxicity of biodegradable PLA-PBAT microplastics -- a common "eco-friendly" plastic alternative -- on zebrafish over 21 days. The biodegradable microplastics caused behavioral changes, reduced growth, brain inflammation, and disrupted neurotransmitter levels similar to conventional plastics. These findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for living organisms.
Toxicity of micro/nanoplastics in the environment: Roles of plastisphere and eco-corona
This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics gain biological coatings in the environment: larger microplastics develop a "plastisphere" of microorganisms on their surface, while smaller nanoplastics get wrapped in proteins and organic matter forming an "eco-corona." Both coatings change how toxic the particles are to living organisms and humans. The review highlights that studying plastic particles without these coatings, as most lab experiments do, may underestimate or mischaracterize their real-world health risks.
The endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial crosstalk involved in nanoplastics and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate co-exposure induced the damage to mouse mammary epithelial cells
Researchers found that nanoplastics combined with DEHP, a common plastic softener, caused severe damage to mouse mammary (breast) gland cells by disrupting communication between two key cell structures: the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The combined exposure was worse than either substance alone, triggering cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This is concerning because people are typically exposed to both nanoplastics and plastic additives like DEHP simultaneously through food and consumer products.
Microplastics affect rice (Oryza sativa L.) quality by interfering metabolite accumulation and energy expenditure pathways: A field study
Researchers conducted a field study examining how polystyrene microplastics affect rice grain quality at the molecular level using metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. They found that microplastic exposure interfered with metabolite accumulation and energy pathways in the rice plants, ultimately reducing grain quality. The study provides real-world evidence that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils can directly compromise the nutritional quality of a major food crop.
Uptake and transport of micro/nanoplastics in terrestrial plants: Detection, mechanisms, and influencing factors
This review summarizes how micro and nanoplastics enter and move through plants, including uptake through roots and leaves via processes like endocytosis and movement through cell walls. Smaller particles penetrate more easily, and factors like surface charge and soil conditions affect how much plastic plants absorb. The findings are important because they show that crops can take up microplastics from contaminated soil, creating a potential pathway for these particles to reach the human diet.
Nanoplastics promote the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and diversify their bacterial hosts in soil
Nanoplastics in soil were found to promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes far more than larger microplastics, even at very low concentrations. The nanoplastics changed which bacteria carried resistance genes and enabled some bacteria to develop resistance to multiple antibiotics simultaneously. This is a significant concern for human health because nanoplastics in agricultural soil could accelerate the spread of drug-resistant bacteria that make infections harder to treat.
Emerging contaminants antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics in the environment: Introduction to 21 review articles published in CREST during 2018–2022
Researchers summarized findings from 21 review articles on antibiotic resistance genes and microplastics published between 2018 and 2022. The overview covers analysis methods, environmental occurrence, transport mechanisms, and ecological and human health risks, as well as strategies for removing antibiotic resistance-related contaminants from wastewater, manure, and sludge.
Comparison of the aquatic toxicity of diquat and its metabolites to zebrafish Danio rerio
Researchers tested the herbicide diquat and its environmental breakdown products on zebrafish embryos and larvae, finding that while none caused acute death at realistic exposure levels, both diquat and one of its metabolites triggered significant oxidative stress — a form of cellular damage — and disrupted the activity of protective antioxidant enzymes. The findings highlight that a pesticide's metabolites can be just as harmful as the original chemical.
Alterations of gut and oral microbiota in the individuals consuming take-away food in disposable plastic containers
Researchers examined gut and oral microbiota changes in people who frequently consume take-away food from disposable plastic containers. The study found that both occasional and frequent consumers had altered gut and oral bacterial communities compared to non-consumers, and a mouse experiment confirmed that reducing but not eliminating micro- and nanoplastic exposure did not fully reverse gut microbial changes.
Toxicological Effects of Glufosinate-Ammonium-Containing Commercial Formulations on Biomphalaria glabrata in Aquatic Environments: A Multidimensional Study from Embryotoxicity to Histopathology
Researchers conducted a comprehensive toxicity study of the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium on the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, examining effects from embryo development through adult histopathology. The study found that embryos were far more sensitive to the herbicide than adults, with implications for understanding how agricultural chemical runoff affects non-target aquatic organisms in freshwater ecosystems.
Characterization of the Differences in Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) Adsorbed on Five Kinds of Microplastics Using Multiple Methods
Researchers developed an optimized method for extracting dissolved organic matter directly from microplastics collected across five different environmental settings. They found that the type of microplastic, its shape, and the environment it was collected from all significantly influenced how much organic matter was adsorbed, with porous extruded polyethylene showing the highest enrichment. The study provides new analytical approaches for characterizing how microplastics interact with organic matter in aquatic and sediment environments.
Depth distribution of nano- and microplastics and their contribution to carbon storage in Chinese agricultural soils
Researchers measured nano- and microplastic concentrations at different depths in Chinese agricultural soils and found that levels were highest near the surface, declining with depth. The study estimates that carbon from these plastic particles contributes between 0.004% and 5.6% to the agricultural soil carbon pool, depending on depth. These findings highlight that plastic contamination is subtly influencing soil carbon storage, though the overall contribution remains relatively low.
Multiomics Insights into the Ecotoxicological Effects of Soil Microplastics on Crop Plants
This review summarizes two decades of research on how soil microplastics affect crop plants, drawing on multiomics approaches including genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Researchers found that microplastics absorbed by crop roots and leaves can travel to reproductive organs, causing oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and disrupted nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. The study highlights that microplastic concentrations in intensive farming regions have reached significant levels.
Polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics reduce chemisorption of cadmium in paddy soil and increase its bioaccessibility and bioavailability
Researchers found that polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics reduce cadmium chemisorption in paddy soil while increasing its bioaccessibility and bioavailability, suggesting that microplastic contamination in rice paddies could enhance heavy metal uptake by crops and human dietary exposure.
Exposure scenarios modulate the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and Cd to Daphnia magna
Researchers evaluated how different exposure scenarios (single, pre-exposure, and co-exposure) affect the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and cadmium to the water flea Daphnia magna. The study found that environmentally relevant concentrations of nanoplastics initially stimulated reproduction, but the timing and sequence of exposure significantly influenced bioaccumulation, intestinal damage, and gut microbiota disruption.
Sources, migration, accumulation and influence of microplastics in terrestrial plant communities
This review examined microplastic sources, migration, and accumulation in terrestrial plant communities, highlighting how microplastics affect plant growth, soil properties, and ecosystem functions at the community level rather than just individual plants.
Spatial and seasonal variations of airborne microplastics in the emerging megacity of Hangzhou, China
Researchers conducted a year-long sampling campaign across four urban zones in Hangzhou, China, to characterize airborne microplastics at human breathing height. The study found an average of 4.43 particles per cubic meter, with about 89% of particles smaller than 100 micrometers, predominantly fragments composed of polyamide and rubber, showing strong seasonal variation with lowest levels in summer.
Pollution characteristics and source analysis of microplastics in the Qiantang River in southeastern China
Researchers found that microplastic abundance in the Qiantang River near Hangzhou, China, ranged from 1.5 to 9.4 items per liter, with higher levels during dry periods and concentrations correlated with local GDP and industrial manufacturing activity.
Boosted Electrocatalytic Degradation of Levofloxacin by Chloride Ions: Performances Evaluation and Mechanism Insight with Different Anodes
Researchers investigated how chloride ions in natural water affect the electrocatalytic degradation of the antibiotic levofloxacin using different electrode types. The study found that chloride presence significantly boosted degradation performance, providing insights into how water chemistry influences the effectiveness of advanced oxidation processes for removing pharmaceutical pollutants.
Cadmium co-ingestion promotes systemic nanoplastics distribution in mice via multi-level intestinal barrier compromise
A 35-day mouse study found that cadmium co-ingestion facilitated systemic distribution of polystyrene nanoplastics by compromising multiple levels of intestinal barrier function, including the mucus layer and tight junctions, producing synergistic and irreversible toxicological effects.
Are we underestimating the driving factors and potential risks of freshwater microplastics from in situ and in silico perspective?
Researchers combined field sampling with machine learning predictions to assess microplastic contamination in rivers of China's Yangtze River Delta, incorporating land use, hydrology, and particle properties. The study found that conventional assessments may underestimate risk by overlooking smaller particle sizes and high-density polymers, and that textile manufacturing effluents are a major underrecognized source.
Impact of microplastics on microbial community structure in the Qiantang river: A potential source of N2O emissions
Researchers examined how microplastics affect microbial community structure in the Qiantang River, finding that plastic contamination selects for specific bacterial taxa and alters the functional composition of river microbial communities.
Spatio-vertical distribution of riverine microplastics: Impact of the textile industry
Microplastic distributions were mapped vertically and spatially along a river impacted by the textile industry, finding elevated fiber concentrations near industrial discharge points and in deeper river sediment layers. The study links textile manufacturing to localized microplastic hotspots and documents vertical accumulation patterns in riverine sediments.