Papers

Plastic pellet spills and leakages during maritime transportation: a transdisciplinary approach to understand the complex causal pathways

This transdisciplinary study identified four main pathways by which plastic pellets enter the ocean during maritime transport: leaking containers, container damage, containers lost overboard, and vessel loss. Plastic pellets are the second largest source of marine microplastics, and the study provides cause-consequence diagrams to support comprehensive intervention strategies.

Polystyrene Microplastics of Varying Sizes and Shapes Induce Distinct Redox and Mitochondrial Stress Responses in a Caco-2 Monolayer

Researchers tested three sizes and shapes of polystyrene microplastics on human intestinal cells and found that all were taken up by the cells, with the smallest particles (200 nm) causing the most pronounced effects on cellular stress responses. The microplastics triggered changes in antioxidant gene expression and mitochondrial activity. The study suggests that the number of particles a cell absorbs, driven largely by particle size, determines the severity of the stress response.

Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of Microplastics in the Environment

This paper compiles existing knowledge on tire wear as a major but often overlooked source of microplastics, estimating global per-person emissions at about 0.8 kilograms per year. Tire particles enter waterways, air, and soil, with an estimated 5-10% of ocean plastic pollution originating from tire wear. The study calls for increased awareness and creative solutions to address this stealthy yet substantial contributor to microplastic contamination.

River export of macro- and microplastics to seas by sources worldwide

This global modeling study estimated that rivers carry about 500,000 tons of plastic into the ocean each year, with both large plastics and microplastics playing significant roles. In Europe, North America, and Oceania, microplastics from sewage are the dominant type in nearly 40 percent of river basins, while in Africa and Asia, larger plastic waste from poor waste management is the main problem. The study helps identify which areas need which types of pollution reduction strategies to protect both marine ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

An overview of the key topics related to the study of tire particles and their chemical leachates: From problems to solutions

Researchers reviewed the current state of knowledge on tyre wear particles — rubber fragments shed by vehicles that are a major source of microplastic pollution — identifying key gaps in emissions estimates, detection standards, and understanding of the toxic chemicals that leach from tyre rubber into the environment. The review calls for closer collaboration between scientists, regulators, and the tire industry to develop solutions that reduce the environmental and health impacts of tyre pollution.

Tyre granulate on the loose; How much escapes the turf? A systematic literature review

Without mitigation measures, an average artificial football turf loses approximately 950 kg/year of tire rubber infill to the environment, with snow removal adding up to 830 kg/year more. The most effective reduction strategies target snow clearing, mechanical brushing, and granulate carried off by players.

Human health risk attributed to consumption of seafood and recreation swimming in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka: An assessment on lagoon water and inhabitant oysters (Crassostrea cucullata Born, 1778)

Researchers assessed microbiological water quality and oyster contamination across Negombo Lagoon in Sri Lanka, finding that the northern zone exceeded safe thresholds for both swimming and seafood consumption — with high local oyster consumption rates making this a significant public health risk.

COVID-19 estimated to have increased plastics, diclofenac, and triclosan pollution in more than half of urban rivers worldwide

Researchers used water quality modeling to estimate how COVID-19 pandemic measures affected river pollution worldwide. They found that increased use of protective equipment, packaging, and certain chemicals likely raised concentrations of plastics, triclosan, and diclofenac in more than half of urban rivers globally. The study suggests that pandemic-related changes in consumer behavior had measurable impacts on freshwater pollution.

Urbanization: an increasing source of multiple pollutants to rivers in the 21st century

Researchers modeled the combined impact of urbanization on river pollution from nutrients, microplastics, triclosan, and pathogens across over 10,000 rivers globally. They project that by the end of the century, around 80% of the world's population could live near rivers with multi-pollutant problems under high urbanization scenarios. The study suggests that advanced wastewater treatment could technically prevent future pollution in many regions, though Africa faces particularly severe challenges.

Microplastics in coastal areas and seafood: implications for food safety

This review summarizes research on microplastic contamination in coastal waters and seafood, examining the potential risks of dietary exposure for humans. Researchers found that while microplastics have been detected in many commercially important fish and shellfish species, toxicological data remain limited and risk assessments are complicated by inconsistent analytical methods. The study concludes that more standardized exposure and toxicity data are needed before reliable food safety standards for microplastics in seafood can be established.

The Plastic Age: River Pollution in China from Crop Production and Urbanization

Researchers developed an integrated model estimating that 716 kilotons of plastics entered Chinese rivers annually from crop production mulching, sewage systems, and mismanaged solid waste, with agricultural plastic films being a major but often overlooked source.

Potential toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics in primary bronchial epithelial cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Researchers investigated how micro- and nanoplastics affect lung cells taken from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that already impairs breathing. The study aimed to determine whether plastic particle exposure poses additional toxic risk to people whose airways are already compromised.

Mapping the tire supply chain and its microplastics emissions using a multi-stakeholder approach

Researchers mapped the tire supply chain in the Netherlands to quantify microplastic emissions using a material system analysis and stakeholder involvement. The study found tires are a significant microplastic source and provided a foundation for developing targeted mitigation strategies across the supply chain.

Modelling global river export of microplastics to the marine environment: Sources and future trends

Researchers developed the GREMiS model to estimate global river export of microplastics to the ocean, projecting that annual marine inputs will increase significantly under business-as-usual plastic production scenarios.

Closing the gap between small and smaller: towards a framework to analyse nano- and microplastics in aqueous environmental samples

This paper proposes an analytical framework for measuring both nano- and microplastics across a broad size spectrum in water samples, addressing the gap between methods optimized for either large microplastics or nanoparticles. A unified size-spanning approach is needed to fully characterize plastic pollution in aquatic environments where particles across many orders of magnitude coexist.

Future microplastics in the Black Sea: River exports and reduction options for zero pollution

Using river input modeling, researchers projected future microplastic loads entering the Black Sea from rivers and modeled five pollution-reduction scenarios including improved wastewater treatment and reduced plastic use. The analysis identified combined reduction strategies as necessary to meaningfully cut microplastic delivery to the sea.

Characteristics of microplastics pollution in important commercial coastal seafood of Central Java, Indonesia

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in three commercially important seafoods from coastal Indonesia — milkfish, blood cockles, and green mussels — finding that all three contained plastic particles, with green mussels carrying the highest load at an average of 71 particles per individual. The variety of polymer types detected, including rubber and styrene compounds, confirms that microplastics are entering the human food chain through commonly consumed seafood.

Sources and Leakages of Microplastics in Cruise Ship Wastewater

Researchers investigated microplastic sources and leakages from cruise ship wastewater systems, finding that onboard laundry, food waste processing, and sewage treatment all contribute microplastics to discharge, with poorly filtered grey water representing a significant and underregulated pathway to the ocean.

Food safety risk assessment of microplastics: a study case coastal seafood from Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

A system Dynamics model for evaluating tire wear particle mitigation strategies

Tire wear particles are one of the largest sources of microplastic pollution, but finding the best ways to reduce them is complicated by trade-offs involving road safety, CO2 emissions, and driver behavior. Researchers built a computer model—calibrated for the Netherlands—that simulates how different policy interventions would affect tire particle emissions over time. The model found that no single strategy is a silver bullet, and that effective reduction requires coordinated action across vehicle technology, road design, and mobility patterns. The approach is transferable to other countries, offering policymakers a flexible tool to compare mitigation options before committing resources.

Global multi-pollutant modelling of water quality: scientific challenges and future directions

Researchers argue that tackling global water pollution requires modeling multiple contaminants — microplastics, nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens — simultaneously rather than studying each in isolation. They identify pollution hotspots across Europe, North America, and South Asia where rivers carry dangerous combinations of these pollutants, and call for models that can directly inform policy decisions.

Quantification and mapping of tyre wear emissions: from EU regional analysis to global projections

Researchers quantified and mapped tyre wear particle emissions across EU member states and developed global projections, finding substantial discrepancies in per capita emission estimates across different national methodologies and providing guidance for optimizing future emission estimations.

Plastic pollution research in Indonesia: State of science and future research directions.

This meta-analysis reviews the state of plastic pollution research in Indonesia, a country identified as one of the top contributors to global plastic waste. The findings highlight significant gaps in data on microplastic contamination in Indonesian waters and ecosystems, which matters because plastic pollution from this region affects global ocean health and the seafood supply chain.

Mapping research gaps for sustainable forest management based on the nominal group technique

Researchers used the nominal group technique — involving both academic and non-academic stakeholders — to map research gaps in sustainable management of the Matang mangrove forest in Malaysia, identifying knowledge priorities across social-ecological system components to guide resource-limited research allocation.