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Papers
62 resultsShowing papers from Anhui University
ClearA global meta-analysis reveals the toxicity of plastics on insect health
This meta-analysis pools data from global studies to reveal that microplastics and nanoplastics are harmful to insect health, affecting survival, reproduction, and development. Since insects play critical roles in pollination and food chains, their decline from plastic pollution could have cascading effects on agriculture and the broader ecosystems humans depend on.
Aging of Nanoplastics Significantly Affects Protein Corona Composition Thus Enhancing Macrophage Uptake
Researchers found that when nanoplastics age in the environment through sun exposure, they form a different coating of proteins when they enter the human body compared to fresh nanoplastics. This altered protein coating caused lung immune cells to absorb the aged nanoplastics more readily than new ones. The findings suggest that real-world nanoplastics, which are mostly sun-weathered, may be taken up by the body more aggressively than the fresh particles typically used in lab studies.
Comparison of sulfide-induced transformation of biodegradable and conventional microplastics: Mechanism and environmental fate
Researchers compared how sulfide chemicals in oxygen-free environments (like deep sediments) transform biodegradable plastics versus conventional plastics. They found that biodegradable PBAT microplastics were more easily changed by sulfides than conventional polyethylene, releasing more dissolved organic carbon and potentially different environmental effects. This suggests that so-called biodegradable plastics may not behave as safely as expected when they break down in certain natural environments.
Combined toxicity of microplastic fibers and dibutyl phthalate on algae: Synergistic or antagonistic?
This study found that when microplastic fibers and the plasticizer DBP (a chemical commonly added to plastics) are combined, they cause more damage to freshwater algae than either pollutant alone. The combination produced a synergistic toxic effect, meaning the harm was greater than simply adding the effects of each pollutant together. Since both microplastic fibers and plasticizers are widespread in freshwater environments, their combined presence could threaten the base of aquatic food chains.
Distribution characteristics and transport pathways of soil microplastics in coral reef islands with different developmental stages and human activities
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination in the soil of coral reef islands in the South China Sea and found 1,068 to 1,616 particles per kilogram across islands at different stages of development. More developed islands with greater human activity had higher contamination levels, and ocean currents and monsoons were the main forces spreading microplastics to less developed islands. The study shows that even remote island ecosystems are not safe from microplastic pollution, which can affect the soil and water these communities depend on.
Significant influence of land use types and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of microplastics in soil: A case from a typical mining-agricultural city
Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution across five types of land in a Chinese mining-agricultural city and found the highest levels in greenhouse farmland, with nearly 3,738 particles per kilogram of soil. Agricultural plastic waste, irrigation water, and fertilizers were identified as the main sources of contamination. The study shows that farming practices are major contributors to microplastic buildup in the soil that produces our food.
The released micro/nano-plastics from plastic containers amplified the toxic response of disinfection by-products in human cells
Researchers found that plastic feeding bottles, food containers, and paper cups all release micro and nanoplastics when exposed to hot water. While these released particles alone were not toxic to human cells, they significantly amplified the toxicity of disinfection by-products commonly found in drinking water, with the strongest effect seen in liver cells. Infants face the greatest risk from this interaction because of their higher exposure through heated formula in plastic bottles.
Fish guts possess higher priority in assessing ecological risk of microplastics in both fish bodies and aquatic environments
Researchers tracked how zebrafish accumulate and expel microplastics in different organs and found that fish guts consistently showed the highest and most reliable microplastic levels. Gut microplastic concentrations closely matched the contamination level in the surrounding water, making fish intestines the best indicator organ for assessing environmental pollution. Interestingly, fish without access to food accumulated more microplastics, suggesting that hungry fish in polluted waters face greater health risks.
SKN-1/Nrf2-dependent regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis modulates transgenerational toxicity induced by nanoplastics with different surface charges in Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers found that nanoplastics with different surface charges caused reproductive toxicity that persisted across multiple generations in the roundworm C. elegans. Positively and negatively charged nanoplastics disrupted mitochondrial function through a stress-response pathway called SKN-1/Nrf2, with effects lasting even in unexposed offspring. This suggests that nanoplastic exposure could have lasting biological consequences that extend beyond the directly exposed generation.
Micro plastic driving changes in the soil microbes and lettuce growth under the influence of heavy metals contaminated soil
Researchers studied how microplastics interact with heavy metals in contaminated soil and their combined effects on lettuce growth and soil bacteria. Different types of microplastics altered soil chemistry and changed which microbes thrived, sometimes making heavy metals more available to plants. The study suggests that microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil could affect both the safety and nutritional quality of leafy vegetables that people eat.
Silver nanoparticles facilitate phage-borne resistance gene transfer in planktonic and microplastic-attached bacteria
Researchers found that silver nanoparticles, a common pollutant, helped antibiotic resistance genes spread between bacteria more easily, both in open water and on microplastic surfaces. The nanoparticles caused cell membrane damage that made bacteria more vulnerable to infection by virus-like particles carrying resistance genes. This study reveals a concerning three-way interaction between nanoparticles, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance that could accelerate the spread of drug-resistant bacteria in waterways.
Accumulation of microplastics in fish guts and gills from a large natural lake: Selective or non-selective?
Researchers studied microplastic accumulation in the guts and gills of 11 fish species from Lake Chao in China to determine whether fish selectively take up certain types of plastic particles. The study found that fish guts showed selective accumulation patterns influenced by feeding behavior, while gills accumulated microplastics more randomly through water filtration. This suggests that fish gills could serve as useful indicators of real-time microplastic pollution levels in freshwater environments.
Mechanisms of polyethylene microplastics on microbial community assembly and carbon-nitrogen transformation potentials in soils with different textures
Researchers used DNA sequencing to examine how polyethylene microplastics affect soil microbial communities and carbon-nitrogen cycling across soils with different textures. They found that microplastics significantly shifted microbial community composition and altered the abundance of genes involved in carbon and nitrogen transformation, with effects varying by soil type. The study suggests that microplastic contamination may disrupt fundamental nutrient cycling processes differently depending on soil characteristics.
Fully bio-based polyurethane coating for environmentally friendly controlled release fertilizer: Construction, degradation mechanism and effect on plant growth
Researchers developed a fully bio-based polyurethane coating for controlled-release fertilizers using castor oil and a plant-derived chemical. Unlike conventional polyurethane coatings that persist in soil as microplastics, this coating showed strong biodegradability while still effectively controlling nutrient release. The study offers a practical solution to reduce microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils from fertilizer coatings.
PFOA/PFOS Facilitated Intestinal Fatty Acid Absorption by Activating the PPARα Pathway: Insights from Organoids Model
Researchers used lab-grown intestinal organoids to study how the forever chemicals PFOA and PFOS affect fatty acid absorption in the gut. They found that PFOS significantly enhanced the intestine's uptake of fatty acids by activating a specific metabolic pathway, while PFOA had weaker effects. The study provides new insight into how these persistent environmental contaminants may disrupt normal digestive function and contribute to metabolic imbalances.
Promotion of antibiotic-resistant genes dissemination by the micro/nanoplastics in the gut of snail Achatina fulica
Researchers studied how micro- and nanoplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut of edible snails. They found that smaller plastic particles at higher concentrations significantly promoted the transfer of resistance genes between bacteria through conjugation. The study suggests that plastic contamination in food animals could accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance, which is a growing public health concern.
A landfill serves as a critical source of microplastic pollution and harbors diverse plastic biodegradation microbial species and enzymes: Study in large-scale landfills, China
Researchers studied microplastic distribution at various depths within a large-scale landfill in Shenzhen, China, finding between 81 and 133 microplastic particles per gram of refuse. They also discovered diverse microbial species and enzymes capable of biodegrading plastics in landfill leachate samples from seven major Chinese landfills. The findings confirm that landfills are a significant source of microplastic pollution while also harboring microorganisms with potential for plastic breakdown.
Effects of photochlorination on the physicochemical transformation of polystyrene nanoplastics: Mechanism and environmental fate
Researchers studied how sunlight combined with chlorine in water treatment changes the properties of polystyrene nanoplastics. They found that solar irradiation significantly accelerated the chemical breakdown of the nanoplastics, including surface oxidation and the release of organic compounds. The study reveals that nanoplastics leaving wastewater treatment plants undergo rapid transformation in the environment, which could alter both their fate and toxicity.
Insights into the effects of aging on the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and chlordane against Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers studied how environmental aging of polystyrene nanoplastics changes their combined toxicity with the pesticide chlordane in roundworms. They found that photo-aging altered the physical and chemical properties of the nanoplastics, which in turn modified how the two contaminants interacted and their joint toxic effects. The study highlights that the environmental weathering of plastic particles can significantly change how they interact with other pollutants.
Dissecting the effects of co-exposure to microplastics and sulfamethoxazole on anaerobic digestion
Researchers examined how microplastics combined with the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole affect the anaerobic digestion process used in wastewater treatment. They found that the combination reduced methane production and altered microbial communities, while also promoting widespread antibiotic resistance among the microorganisms. The study highlights concerns about how co-occurring microplastics and antibiotics in sewage could undermine wastewater treatment efficiency.
Record of microplastic deposition revealed by ornithogenic soil and sediment profiles from Ross Island, Antarctica
Researchers analyzed soil and sediment layers on Ross Island, Antarctica, to create a historical record of microplastic deposition in the region. They found microplastics present throughout the profiles, with concentrations increasing in more recent layers, suggesting growing contamination over time. The study demonstrates that even one of the most remote places on Earth shows clear evidence of escalating microplastic pollution.
Plastic mulch film residues in agriculture: impact on soil suppressiveness, plant growth, and microbial communities
Researchers tested the effects of low-density polyethylene and biodegradable mulch film residues on soil disease suppressiveness, plant growth, and microbial communities. They found that while 1% plastic residues did not affect the soil's ability to suppress Fusarium disease, plant biomass decreased and nutrient status changed in the presence of plastic. Notably, the microbial communities on the plastic surfaces (the plastisphere) were distinct from those in the rhizosphere and included potential plant pathogens like Rhizoctonia.
Microplastics pollution in the soil mulched by dust-proof nets: A case study in Beijing, China
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in soils covered by dust-proof nets used on construction sites in Beijing, China. They found that the nets themselves were a source of microplastic contamination, with fiber-type particles being the most abundant in the underlying soil. The study identifies construction site dust-control measures as a previously overlooked source of microplastic pollution in urban soils.
Distribution and Tissue Damage After a Single Microplastic Exposure in Mice
Researchers administered fluorescent microplastics to mice by oral gavage and tracked their distribution through the body over several hours. They found direct evidence of microplastic particles in the blood, lungs, brain, kidneys, liver, and spleen, with fluorescence peaking at two hours after exposure. Histological examination revealed mild tissue damage including congestion in the liver and lungs, providing evidence that ingested microplastics can enter the bloodstream and reach multiple organs.