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Papers
120 resultsShowing papers from University of Tasmania
ClearMicroplastics in the marine environment: Challenges and the shift towards sustainable plastics and plasticizers
With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic floating in the world's oceans, microplastic pollution is causing serious harm to marine organisms, from swimming difficulties to organ failure and death. Biodegradable bioplastics made from renewable sources are being developed as alternatives, but they bring their own challenges, including leaching toxic additives into the environment. Researchers are also exploring sustainable plasticizers made from vegetable oils and sugars to reduce the chemical hazards of plastic materials.
‘Plasticosis’: Characterising macro- and microplastic-associated fibrosis in seabird tissues
Researchers examined 30 young seabirds and found that ingested plastic caused widespread scarring and tissue damage in their stomachs -- damage so severe and distinctive that the authors proposed a new disease called 'Plasticosis.' Naturally occurring materials like pumice did not cause similar scarring, highlighting the unique harmful properties of plastic and raising concerns about similar tissue damage in other species exposed to plastic pollution.
The Abundance of Microplastics in the World’s Oceans: A Systematic Review
This systematic review analyzed 73 studies and found microplastics present in surface waters of all five oceans, with concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 62.5 particles per cubic meter. The Atlantic Ocean had the highest levels. The widespread presence of microplastics in our oceans means they are entering marine food chains that eventually reach our dinner plates.
Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds
Researchers combined ocean plastic density maps with GPS tracking data for over 7,000 seabirds across 77 petrel species to identify where birds are most likely to encounter and accidentally eat plastic debris. High-risk zones were identified in the Mediterranean, northeast Pacific, and South Atlantic, with threatened species facing disproportionately greater exposure — often in international waters beyond any single country's control.
Microplastic consumption elevates fish oxidative stress but does not affect predator-driven mortality
Juvenile coral reef fish exposed to polystyrene microplastics for just two days showed increased oxidative stress and cellular damage, especially when the plastics contained the common plasticizer DEHP. However, the microplastic exposure did not affect the fish's ability to escape predators in short-term trials. The study highlights that microplastics may cause hidden health damage to marine organisms even when they appear to function normally.
The one-two punch of plastic exposure: Macro- and micro-plastics induce multi-organ damage in seabirds
Researchers examined flesh-footed shearwaters that had ingested ocean plastic debris and found damage across multiple organs including kidneys, spleen, and the digestive tract. The study revealed that both large plastic pieces and the microplastics they shed or generate during digestion contribute to organ damage in seabirds. These findings demonstrate a "one-two punch" effect where macroplastics cause direct physical harm while also releasing microplastics that trigger additional tissue-level injury.
Microplastic stress in plants: effects on plant growth and their remediations
This review examines how microplastic contamination in soil affects plant growth through multiple pathways, including blocking water and nutrient absorption through roots, triggering harmful levels of reactive oxygen species, and disrupting hormone regulation. The effects vary depending on the type, size, and amount of microplastic present. Since plants are the foundation of our food supply, understanding how microplastics impair crop health is directly relevant to food safety and human nutrition.
A quantitative risk assessment framework for mortality due to macroplastic ingestion in seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles
Researchers analyzed over 10,000 necropsies of seabirds, marine mammals, and sea turtles to quantify the risk of death from swallowing large plastic debris. The study found that sea turtles faced the highest mortality rate at 4.4%, and the type of plastic mattered: rubber was most dangerous for seabirds, fishing debris for marine mammals, and soft plastics for sea turtles.
Plastic additives and legacy persistent organic pollutants in the preen gland oil of seabirds sampled across the globe
Researchers analyzed preen gland oil from 145 seabirds across 32 species worldwide for plastic additives and legacy persistent organic pollutants. The study found PCBs and pesticides were ubiquitous and correlated with trophic level, while plastic-associated UV stabilizers were detected in 46% of individuals, suggesting that seabirds are exposed to plastic-derived chemicals alongside traditional pollutants through their diet.
Ubiquity of microplastics in coastal seafloor sediments
Researchers applied a novel method to quantify microplastic concentrations in seafloor sediments from 42 coastal sites across southeastern Australia. They found microplastics in all samples at an average concentration of 3.4 particles per milliliter of sediment, predominantly as filaments. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination of coastal seafloor sediments is ubiquitous and that hydrological and sediment properties influence deposition patterns.
Future Directions in Conservation Research on Petrels and Shearwaters
This review assembled 38 conservation researchers to summarize the major threats facing petrels and shearwaters, a group of seabirds where 41 percent of species are threatened. Researchers identified invasive species, bycatch, overfishing, light pollution, climate change, and pollution including microplastics as the six primary threats. The paper proposes future research directions and management strategies including habitat restoration, improved fisheries policies, and better monitoring of pollution impacts on these vulnerable seabird populations.
Microplastics: a review of their impacts on different life forms and their removal methods
This review provides a broad overview of how microplastics affect different forms of life, from soil organisms and plants to aquatic species and humans. Researchers found that the primary harmful mechanisms involve oxidative stress, immune disruption, and interference with nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. The study also covers various removal methods including coagulation, membrane filtration, and biological degradation approaches.
Quantification and characterization of microplastics in commercial fish from southern New Zealand
Researchers quantified microplastic ingestion in ten commercially important fish species from southern New Zealand using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The study found that 75% of fish contained microplastics, with an average of 2.5 particles per fish, predominantly fibers in blue, black, and red colors, composed mainly of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate.
Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean: Birds and Marine Mammals in a Changing Climate
This assessment reviews the status of seabirds and marine mammals in the Southern Ocean and how climate change is affecting their populations and habitats. Researchers found that shifting sea ice patterns, changing prey availability, and ocean warming are altering the distribution and breeding success of many Antarctic species. The study notes that plastic pollution, including microplastics, represents an additional stress factor for these vulnerable top predators.
Global Connectivity of Southern Ocean Ecosystems
This paper examines the ecological connectivity between Southern Ocean ecosystems and the rest of the global ocean across multiple trophic levels. Researchers found that Southern Ocean ecosystems are linked to the global system through species migration, ocean currents, biogeochemical cycles, and increasingly through pollution pathways including microplastics. The study emphasizes that these connections make Southern Ocean conservation a matter of global importance.
Low abundance of microplastics in commercially caught fish across southern Australia
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in nine commercially important fish species purchased from seafood markets across 4,000 km of southern Australia. They found that about 35.5% of fish had at least one microplastic particle in their gastrointestinal tract, with an average load of 0.94 pieces per fish, and polyolefin was the dominant polymer type. While microplastic ingestion was widespread across species and locations, the levels were lower than those reported in similar global studies.
Quantification and characterization of microplastics ingested by mangrove oysters across West Africa
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in mangrove oysters from five West African countries and found plastic particles in every sample, with the Gambia having the highest levels. Microfibers, particularly those from textiles, were the most common type found, with polyethylene being the dominant polymer across all countries. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through oyster consumption in the region.
Food for all: designing sustainable and secure future seafood systems
Researchers used an evidence-based narrative approach to examine global seafood system trajectories through 2030, constructing a business-as-usual scenario and a more sustainable alternative, and finding that equitable access and nutritional adequacy — not just production volume — must be central to sustainable seafood policy.
From wastewater treatment plants to farmland: Microplastic quantification, transfer, and risk assessment from biosolids use in Tasmania, Australia
Researchers quantified microplastics in wastewater and biosolids from Tasmanian treatment plants, detecting 127 to 138 particles per gram in biosolids, with polyethylene as the most abundant polymer. The study estimates that billions of microplastic particles are transferred annually to agricultural soils through biosolids reuse, and a preliminary risk assessment suggests these levels may pose ecological concerns.
Atmospheric microplastics must be addressed in the global plastics treaty
Researchers argued that atmospheric microplastics must be explicitly addressed in the Global Plastics Treaty, noting that despite overwhelming evidence of adverse impacts on human and environmental health, their inclusion in treaty negotiations remains unclear. The study emphasizes that the morphological and chemical diversity of airborne microplastics warrants prioritized regulation similar to other persistent pollutants.
Contamination of the marine environment by Antarctic research stations: Monitoring marine pollution at Casey station from 1997 to 2015
Researchers monitored marine sediment contamination near Casey Station in Antarctica from 1997 to 2015, documenting persistent pollution from metals, hydrocarbons, and other contaminants associated with research station operations in this fragile polar environment.
A Review of Plastic-Associated Pressures: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Australian Shearwaters as Case Studies
This review assessed plastic-associated threats to cetaceans — whales, dolphins, and porpoises — in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, finding that entanglement, ingestion, and chemical exposure from plastics pose significant risks to these vulnerable populations.
A review of methods for mitigating microplastic contamination in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants before agricultural soil application
This review examines methods for reducing microplastic contamination in biosolids from wastewater treatment plants before they are applied to agricultural soils. Researchers assessed physical, physicochemical, and biological approaches and found that each has inherent limitations, from inconsistent microbial degradation efficiency to filter design constraints. The study suggests that combining multiple methods at different intervention points within the treatment process offers the most promising path toward effective microplastic mitigation.
Evaluating Alternative and Sustainable Food Resources: A Review of the Nutritional Composition of Myctophid Fishes
This review evaluated the nutritional composition of mesopelagic myctophid fishes as a potential sustainable food resource, finding they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein but noting concerns about contaminant accumulation including microplastics.