Papers

An Updated Overview of Silica Aerogel-Based Nanomaterials

This review covers the properties, production methods, and applications of silica aerogels, which are ultra-lightweight materials with tiny pores and excellent insulating abilities. While not about microplastics specifically, silica aerogel composites are being explored as potential tools for filtering and removing microplastics from water due to their high porosity and ability to be combined with other functional materials. The review provides background on a technology that could contribute to future microplastic cleanup solutions.

Phytoremediation Mechanism for Emerging Pollutants : A Review

This review covers how plants can be used to clean up emerging pollutants, including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care product chemicals from contaminated soil and water. Plants absorb these pollutants through their roots and either break them down or store them in their tissues. Phytoremediation offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategy for addressing the growing problem of emerging contaminants in the environment.

The Crucial Nexus of Microplastics on Ecosystem and Climate Change: Types, Source, Impacts, and Transport

This review summarizes the current understanding of microplastic types, sources, environmental impacts, and transport pathways across ecosystems. It highlights that microplastics not only harm organisms through ingestion and physical damage but may also influence climate change by affecting soil carbon storage and ocean processes. The review emphasizes that microplastic pollution is a global challenge requiring coordinated solutions across waste management, policy, and consumer behavior.

Microplastics in the freshwater and terrestrial environments: Prevalence, fates, impacts and sustainable solutions

This review analyzed over 100 studies on microplastic pollution in freshwater and terrestrial environments, which have received less research attention than marine settings. Researchers found that wastewater treatment plants are the most significant source of environmental microplastics through both sludge application and effluent discharge. The study highlights how microplastics move between land and water systems, enter food chains, and interact with both living organisms and soil chemistry.

Microplastic Pollution in Malaysia's Coastal Areas: Impacts, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions

This review examined microplastic pollution along Malaysia's coastlines and found high levels of contamination in sediments and marine life, with plastic fibers being the most common type detected. Researchers compared cleanup methods and found that advanced electrocoagulation techniques achieved removal rates above 96%. The study recommends stronger waste management regulations, investment in affordable remediation technologies, and public education campaigns to address the growing problem.

Nanoparticles in Soil Remediation: Challenges and Opportunities

This review examines the use of nanoparticles for cleaning up contaminated soils, covering technologies like chemical degradation, photocatalysis, and combined approaches with bioremediation. Researchers found that while nanomaterials show promise for removing pollutants, their own potential environmental and health effects need careful evaluation. The study calls for developing better monitoring tools and multi-functional nanocomposites to advance the field of soil cleanup.

Occurrence of Microplastics in Drinking Water in South East Asia: A Short Review

This review examines the levels and sources of microplastics found in drinking water across Southeast Asia, a region home to many of the world's most plastic-polluted rivers. Researchers found microplastics present in tap water, bottled water, and treated water throughout the region, with potential health concerns including inflammation and cellular damage from long-term ingestion. The study highlights the urgent need for improved water treatment methods and stronger regulatory frameworks to address microplastic contamination in drinking water supplies.

Microplastic contamination in the Skipjack Tuna (Euthynnus affinis) collected from Southern Coast of Java, Indonesia

Researchers examined the digestive tracts of skipjack tuna collected from the southern coast of Java, Indonesia, and found microplastics present in all sampled fish. The most common microplastics were fibers and fragments, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination in commercially important fish species consumed by humans in the region.

Trajectory of microplastic particles with 2-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling approach at Pekalongan waters, Central Java, Indonesia

Researchers used two-dimensional hydrodynamic modeling to track how microplastic particles move through the waters near Pekalongan, Central Java, Indonesia. They found that tidal currents and seasonal monsoon patterns significantly influence microplastic transport and accumulation near fishing grounds. The study provides a tool for predicting microplastic hotspots that could help guide marine debris management in the region.

Microbiological Contaminants in Drinking Water: Current Status and Challenges

Seagrass Meadows under the Changing Climate: A Review of the Impacts of Climate Stressors

This review examined the impacts of climate change stressors on seagrass meadows, which serve as critical carbon sinks and marine breeding grounds, documenting how warming, acidification, and sea-level rise threaten these essential coastal ecosystems.

Degradation of Polypropylene Microplastics by a Consortium of Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Surface Waste from Jakarta Bay

Harnessing Nanomaterials for Water Decontamination: Insights into Environmental Impact, Sustainable Applications, and the Emerging Role of Polymeric Nanostructures

This review examines how nanomaterials can be used for water decontamination, including the removal of microplastics from aquatic environments. Researchers found that properties like large surface area and high reactivity make nanomaterials effective at addressing water pollution, though concerns remain about the environmental persistence and potential secondary effects of the nanomaterials themselves.

A planetary health model for addressing emerging contaminants in developing countries: Challenges and perspectives

This review examines how emerging contaminants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS are increasingly detected in water, soil, and food chains in low- and middle-income countries, yet monitoring and governance remain fragmented. The authors propose a planetary health-informed model that links source mapping, targeted monitoring, risk ranking, and adaptive governance to help these nations manage contamination more effectively.

First evidence of microplastics in the water and sediment of Surakarta city river basin, Indonesia

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in the water and sediments of the Surakarta city river basin in Indonesia. They found that fragments and fibers were the dominant microplastic types, with over half of the particles smaller than one millimeter. The study identified polystyrene, polyester, polyamide, and silicone polymers, with blue and black particles being the most common colors in water samples.

Heavy metal mobility and bioavailability in sediment fractions of major tourist beaches on the south-west coast of India: Implications for coastal ecological health

Researchers applied sequential extraction to sediments from four tourist beaches in Kovalam, India, characterizing the mobility and bioavailability of seven heavy metals across five geochemical fractions, finding copper and cadmium at high pollution and enrichment levels and identifying significant non-carcinogenic health risks for children from lead, chromium, zinc, and copper at all beaches.

Overview of microplastics in the environment: type, source, potential effects and removal strategies

This review examines microplastic types, sources, and health effects across land and marine environments, discussing remediation technologies and emphasizing the need for international cooperation to address this global pollution challenge.

Immobilized enzyme/microorganism complexes for degradation of microplastics: A review of recent advances, feasibility and future prospects

This review examined advances in immobilized enzyme and microorganism complexes for microplastic degradation, evaluating various nanomaterial supports and highlighting the feasibility and future prospects of enzymatic approaches to removing microplastics from the environment.

Microplastic Ingestion in Aquatic Animals in South East Asia

This review examined microplastic ingestion by aquatic animals across Southeast Asia, documenting widespread contamination from environmental breakdown and waste imports, and surveyed physical, chemical, and biological remediation technologies for reducing microplastic concentrations in water.

Microplastics removal through water treatment plants: Its feasibility, efficiency, future prospects and enhancement by proper waste management

Researchers reviewed over 80 studies on water treatment plant performance and found microplastic removal ranges widely — from 16% in basic primary treatment up to near 100% with advanced membrane systems — but a major flaw is that removed microplastics concentrate in sludge, which can re-enter the environment. The review recommends optimizing coagulants and sludge treatment to prevent microplastics from simply being relocated rather than eliminated.

Electrospun nanofiber membrane diameter prediction using a combined response surface methodology and machine learning approach

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict the diameter of nanofiber membranes made through electrospinning, a process that creates ultra-thin plastic fibers used in filtration. Their locally weighted kernel method outperformed five other models, achieving near-perfect accuracy (R² = 0.9989), which could help optimize filters designed to capture nanoplastics and other tiny pollutants from water.

Characterization of microplastics in the water and sediment of Baram River estuary, Borneo Island

Researchers characterized microplastics in the water and sediment of the Baram River estuary in Borneo, finding contamination at all sampling stations with fibers as the dominant form, linked to nearby industrial and domestic activities.

Microplastic, an Emerging Threat to the Global Seagrass Ecosystems: A Review

This review examined microplastic pollution as an emerging threat to global seagrass ecosystems, summarizing contamination levels in seagrass meadows worldwide and effects on seagrass physiology, associated fauna, and carbon sequestration capacity. Microplastic ingestion and physical smothering were identified as the most significant direct impacts on seagrass organisms.

Initial Indication of Microplastics in the Water and Sediment of the Tukad Badung River in Bali, Indonesia

This Indonesian pilot study detected microplastics in water and sediment from the Tukad Badung River in Bali, providing baseline contamination data for this urban river. Microplastics were found across sampling sites, with concentrations reflecting urban runoff and inadequate waste management upstream.