Papers

Unseen Threats: The Long‐term Impact of PET‐Microplastics on Development of Male Reproductive Over a Lifetime

Mice that ingested tiny PET plastic particles (the same plastic used in water bottles) over 29 weeks showed serious damage to their reproductive systems. Males had 69% fewer sperm, 24% less testosterone, and significantly smaller reproductive organs. These findings raise concerns that long-term exposure to microplastics from everyday plastics could harm male fertility in humans.

Microplastics induce toxic effects in fish: Bioaccumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses

Researchers exposed juvenile fish to polyamide microplastics and found the particles accumulated primarily in the intestine, gills, and liver, causing reduced blood oxygen-carrying capacity, liver stress, and disrupted antioxidant defenses. These findings matter because fish are an important food source for humans, and microplastic accumulation in fish tissues could transfer these contaminants to people through their diet.

Biofloc Technology in Fish Aquaculture: A Review

This review examines biofloc technology, a method of fish farming that uses beneficial microbial communities to improve water quality and fish health. While not directly about microplastics, the technology is relevant because it could reduce the environmental footprint of aquaculture and potentially limit fish exposure to waterborne contaminants. Healthier aquaculture practices may help produce safer fish for human consumption in an era of increasing water pollution.

Toxic effects of microplastic (Polyethylene) on fish: Accumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

Korean bullhead fish exposed to polyethylene microplastics for just 96 hours showed significant toxic effects including microplastic buildup in the gut, gills, and liver. The fish developed blood abnormalities, liver stress, and disrupted antioxidant defenses, with effects worsening at higher concentrations. Since this species is a common freshwater fish, these findings raise concerns about microplastics affecting the health and safety of fish that people eat.

Toxic effects on bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, oxidative stress, immune responses and neurotoxicity in fish exposed to microplastics: A review

This review summarizes how microplastics affect fish health, covering toxic effects on blood, immune system, nervous system, and the buildup of plastics in fish tissues. Microplastics that accumulate in fish can trigger oxidative damage, weaken immune responses, and impair brain-related enzyme activity. Since fish are a major protein source for humans, understanding how microplastics harm fish health is directly relevant to the safety of our food supply.

Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) exposure: Bioaccumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius

Researchers exposed crucian carp to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations and found that the particles accumulated in tissues including gills, gut, and liver. The microplastics altered blood cell counts and disrupted the fish's antioxidant defense system in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that even common polyethylene microplastics can cause measurable biological harm in freshwater fish.

Microplastic polyamide toxicity: Neurotoxicity, stress indicators and immune responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius

This study found that exposing juvenile crucian carp to polyamide (nylon) microplastics for just two weeks caused significant neurotoxic effects, stress responses, and weakened immune function. The microplastics inhibited an enzyme important for nerve signaling, increased stress hormones, and reduced immune defenses in the fish's liver, gills, and intestines. Since nylon microplastics are common in waterways from synthetic clothing fibers, these results raise concerns about the health of freshwater fish species that humans rely on for food.

Toxic effects of microplastics (polyethylene) exposure on acetylcholinesterase, stress indicators and immunity in Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

Researchers exposed Korean bullhead fish to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations for 96 hours and measured effects on nerve function, stress, and immunity. At lower concentrations no significant changes were observed, but at higher levels the fish showed inhibited nerve enzyme activity, elevated stress hormones, and suppressed immune responses. The study highlights that while moderate microplastic exposure may have limited acute effects, severe contamination can meaningfully impair fish health.

Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) on accumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus according to different particle sizes

Researchers exposed mirror carp to polyethylene microplastics of two different sizes and found that smaller particles accumulated more readily in tissues and caused greater biological effects. The fish showed changes in blood parameters and antioxidant enzyme activity, with effects increasing at higher concentrations. The study suggests that microplastic particle size is an important factor in determining toxicity to freshwater fish.

Development and evaluation of bioinspired pH-responsive sericin–chitosan-based hydrogel for controlled colonic delivery of PETase: Harnessing PETase-triggered degradation of microplastics

Researchers developed a novel hydrogel system made from sericin and chitosan that delivers the plastic-degrading enzyme PETase directly to the colon, where ingested microplastics tend to accumulate. The pH-responsive hydrogel protected the enzyme through the acidic stomach environment and released it in the alkaline conditions of the lower gut. Early testing showed the system could break down PET microplastics, offering a potential new approach for addressing microplastic accumulation in the digestive tract.

Appraisal of Groundwater Vulnerability Pollution Mapping Using GIS Based GOD Index in Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District, India

Researchers used GIS-based GOD vulnerability models to assess groundwater pollution risk in the Tiruchendur coastal area of southern India. The study found that 70% of the area consists of an unconfined aquifer system with moderate to high vulnerability to pollution, highlighting the need for careful groundwater management in this semi-arid coastal region.

CFD Analysis of Microplastic Transport over the Slopes

Using computer fluid dynamics simulations, researchers modeled how different types of ocean waves transport microplastics near shorelines. The study found that gentle spilling waves spread microplastics widely, especially smaller particles, while surging waves on steep slopes caused minimal dispersion, suggesting that beach slope and wave type significantly influence where microplastics accumulate.

Characteristics of microplastics in the beach sediments of Marina tourist beach, Chennai, India

Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastic pollution in beach sediments at Marina and Pattinapakkam beaches in Chennai, India. They identified an average of 459 and 297 microplastic particles at the two sites respectively, with polyethylene being the dominant polymer type. The study suggests that both human activities and natural coastal processes contribute to microplastic accumulation at these popular tourist beaches.

Microplastics and trace metals in fish species of the Gulf of Mannar (Indian Ocean) and evaluation of human health

Researchers examined microplastics and trace metals in five commercially important fish species from the Gulf of Mannar in the Indian Ocean. They found microplastics in both muscle and intestinal tissues, predominantly polyethylene and polypropylene particles, and estimated that human consumers could ingest 121 to 456 microplastic items per person per year from eating these fish.

Toxic effects of sub-acute microplastic (polyamide) exposure on the accumulation, hematological, and antioxidant responses in crucian carp, Carassius carassius

Researchers exposed crucian carp to various concentrations of polyamide microplastics for two weeks and found that the particles accumulated in the fish tissues in a dose-dependent manner. Higher concentrations caused significant changes in blood parameters including reduced red blood cell counts and altered antioxidant enzyme activity, indicating both physical stress and oxidative damage. The study identifies specific blood and enzyme markers that could serve as early warning indicators of microplastic exposure in freshwater fish.

Assessment of the Risk of Microplastics on Gill and Gut Health and Subsequent Pathogen Susceptibility in the Goldfish Model

Researchers assessed how polystyrene microplastics of two sizes affect gill and gut health in goldfish and their subsequent vulnerability to bacterial infection. They found that microplastic exposure caused tissue inflammation, increased immune gene expression, and thickened gill and intestinal structures. Notably, exposure to smaller 0.5-micrometer microplastics significantly reduced fish survival when challenged with a bacterial pathogen, indicating that microplastics can compromise immune defenses in fish.

Microplastics as adsorbent for Pb2+ and Cd2+: A comparative study of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene

Researchers compared how four common types of microplastics adsorb lead and cadmium heavy metals in aquatic environments. The study found that polypropylene had the highest adsorption capacity for both metals, with oxygen-containing functional groups playing a key role in the adsorption process, suggesting that different microplastic types pose varying levels of environmental risk as heavy metal carriers.

Functional use of CO2 to mitigate the formation of bisphenol A in catalytic pyrolysis of polycarbonate

Researchers developed an environmentally sound pyrolysis method using CO2 to reduce bisphenol A formation during the thermal treatment of polycarbonate plastic waste, offering a safer approach to plastic waste valorization.

Optimized Polymeric Membranes for Water Treatment: Fabrication, Morphology, and Performance

This review examines advances in polymer membrane design for water purification, focusing on how chemical functionalization and fabrication methods determine membrane performance. Researchers highlight promising developments incorporating metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and graphene into polymer membranes for selectively removing toxic metals and chemicals. The study emphasizes that choosing the right polymer chemistry and morphology is critical for developing efficient water treatment systems.

Comparative degradation behavior of polybutylene succinate (PBS), used PBS, and PBS/Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) blend fibers in compost and marine–sediment interfaces

Toxic effects of microplastic (polyethylene) exposure: Stress, immune responses and neurotoxicity in crucian carp, Carassius carassius

Researchers exposed crucian carp to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations for two weeks and measured stress, immune, and neurotoxic responses. The study found that higher microplastic concentrations caused significant increases in stress hormones and HSP70, while suppressing immune function and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity, indicating concentration-dependent neurotoxicity and immune suppression.

A facile approach for oil-water separation using superhydrophobic polystyrene-silica coated stainless steel mesh bucket

Researchers fabricated a superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh bucket using polystyrene and silica nanoparticle coatings that achieved over 99% oil-water separation efficiency, and demonstrated it could simultaneously lift microplastic pollutants from water surfaces while withstanding repeated mechanical, thermal, and chemical stress.

Artificial Seaweed Reefs That Support the Establishment of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Beds and Facilitate Ocean Macroalgal Afforestation: A Review

This review assessed the effectiveness of artificial seaweed reefs in supporting macroalgal forest restoration, identifying key design factors that determine success or failure in establishing submerged aquatic vegetation beds for ocean afforestation efforts.

Microplastic presence in commercial marine sea salts: A baseline study along Tuticorin Coastal salt pan stations, Gulf of Mannar, South India

Twenty-five sea salt samples from Tuticorin coastal salt pans in India were analyzed for microplastics, with particles under 100 μm comprising 60% of contaminants and polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers. The study establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in commercially harvested sea salt from South India.