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Papers
102 resultsShowing papers from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande
ClearAdvances in Chitosan-Based Materials for Application in Catalysis and Adsorption of Emerging Contaminants
This review covers how chitosan, a natural material derived from shellfish shells, can be used to remove emerging contaminants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS chemicals from water. Chitosan-based materials can be shaped into particles, membranes, and gels that effectively absorb a wide range of pollutants, offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional water treatment methods for reducing human exposure to harmful contaminants.
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.
Micro- and nanoplastic toxicity: A review on size, type, source, and test-organism implications
This comprehensive review analyzed 615 studies on the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics across different polymer types, sizes, and organisms. A major finding is that over 90% of nanoplastic research uses only polystyrene, leaving huge gaps in our understanding of other common plastics at the nanoscale. The review highlights that smaller particles are generally more toxic and that more research is urgently needed on the nanoplastics people are most likely to encounter in everyday life.
From Natural to Industrial: How Biocoagulants Can Revolutionize Wastewater Treatment
This review examines how natural, plant-derived substances called biocoagulants could replace synthetic chemicals in wastewater treatment, achieving similar removal rates for pollutants including heavy metals. While not focused on microplastics specifically, better wastewater treatment is one of the key ways to reduce microplastic pollution in waterways. A textile industry case study showed a 25% reduction in sludge when using biocoagulants, suggesting a more sustainable approach to cleaning water before it enters the environment.
Toxic effects of environmental-relevant exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro and nanoparticles in zebrafish early development
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to PET plastic micro and nanoparticles at levels found in the environment and observed toxic effects including reduced tail movement, faster heart rates, and changes in eye development. The smaller nanoplastic particles were especially concerning because they are more easily absorbed by developing organisms. These findings suggest that PET plastic pollution in water could harm fish development, raising questions about effects on other species exposed through contaminated water.
The Do pesticides and mycotoxins in water pose an exposure risk to humans?
This study reviewed published data on pesticide and mycotoxin contamination in drinking, well, tap, and river water from 2008 to 2023, finding concentrations as high as 88,732 nanograms per liter for pesticides. Risk assessments showed that children face the greatest exposure risk from contaminated water, highlighting the need for better water quality monitoring and treatment.
Understanding the interactions between cephalopods and marine litter: A research evaluation with identification of gaps and future perspectives
Researchers reviewed the scientific literature on interactions between cephalopods (squid, octopus, and related species) and marine litter to evaluate impacts and identify knowledge gaps. The study found 30 papers documenting microplastic ingestion and synthetic microfiber transfer along food chains, but concluded that significant gaps remain in understanding how marine debris affects these ecologically and economically important animals.
Floating plastics and their associated biota in the Western South Atlantic
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive survey of floating plastics and their associated organisms in coastal and oceanic waters of southern Brazil. They found an average concentration of about 4,461 plastic items per square kilometer, predominantly microplastics, colonized by diverse communities of bacteria and other organisms including potential pathogens and plastic-degrading microbes.
Zooplankton exposure to microplastic contamination in a estuarine plume-influenced region, in Northeast Brazil
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in estuarine plume waters off the coast of northeastern Brazil and its relationship with zooplankton. The study found significantly higher microplastic abundance during the high rainfall season, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, and elevated concentrations in river plume areas compared to reef-adjacent waters, indicating land-based sources as major contributors.
Bridging archaeology and marine conservation in the Neotropics
Researchers reviewed archaeological fish remains from coastal sites in southern Brazil to reconstruct what marine species were present before European contact and industrial fishing began. They found evidence of species that have since declined significantly, providing a long-term baseline for understanding the scale of marine biodiversity loss. The study argues that archaeological data should be integrated into modern marine conservation strategies to better grasp historical ecosystem conditions.
Microplastics in aquatic systems: A review of occurrence, monitoring and potential environmental risks
Researchers review the presence of microplastics — tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm — across freshwater and marine environments worldwide, finding that polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene are the most commonly detected types. Exposure disrupts feeding, movement, and reproduction in aquatic wildlife, and the authors call for standardized measurement methods and legal limits to protect ecosystems.
The use of chitosan as an antioxidant in the feed of cultivated P. vannamei shrimp against oxidative stress induced by exposure to microplastics
Researchers tested whether adding chitosan to shrimp feed could protect farmed shrimp from oxidative stress caused by microplastic exposure. They found that chitosan supplementation helped counteract the harmful oxidative effects of microplastics on shrimp tissues. The findings suggest that natural antioxidants like chitosan could be a practical strategy for reducing microplastic-related damage in aquaculture.
Biomineralization biomarkers to assess microplastics toxic effects in the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations affects biomineralization processes in the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. The study found that microplastics altered calcium transport enzyme activity and hemolymph calcium levels within 24 hours, and interestingly, exposed snails showed an increased capacity to regenerate their shells. These findings provide novel evidence that microplastics can stimulate biomineralization responses in mollusks, potentially as a stress-related defense mechanism.
Marine Plastic Pollution in Waters around Australia: Characteristics, Concentrations, and Pathways
Researchers characterized marine plastic pollution in Australian waters using surface net tows and particle-tracking models. They found an average concentration of about 4,256 plastic pieces per square kilometer at the surface, predominantly small polyethylene and polypropylene fragments with a median size of 2.8 mm, at levels comparable to the Caribbean Sea but lower than subtropical gyres.
How natural and anthropogenic factors should drive microplastic behavior and fate: The scenario of Brazilian urban freshwater
This review examines the factors driving microplastic contamination in Brazilian freshwater systems, including the country's massive plastic production and limited recycling infrastructure. Researchers highlight that more than half of post-consumer plastic packaging in Brazil goes unmonitored, and most microplastic research has focused on marine environments while freshwater data remains scarce. The study calls for more systematic monitoring of Brazilian rivers and lakes, especially given the country's continental-scale waterways and diverse ecosystems.
Microplastic in clams: An extensive spatial assessment in south Brazil
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in clams collected from extensive coastal regions of southern Brazil. They found microplastics in the soft tissues of clams across all sampling sites, with contamination levels influenced by proximity to urban areas, rivers, and local water flow patterns. The study highlights that even organisms in less urbanized coastal areas are accumulating microplastics, raising concerns about widespread contamination in shellfish habitats.
Oxidative effects of consuming microplastics in different tissues of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Researchers fed white shrimp diets containing polystyrene microplastics and found the particles accumulated in gills, muscles, and the hepatopancreas. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress, DNA damage, and lipid damage in multiple tissues, along with visible tissue abnormalities including edema and immune cell infiltration. The study demonstrates that dietary microplastic exposure can cause widespread oxidative harm across different organ systems in commercially important shellfish.
Microplastic contamination in no-take Marine Protected Areas of Brazil: Bivalves as sentinels
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in ten no-take Marine Protected Areas across Brazil using filter-feeding bivalves as sentinel organisms. They found microplastics in all sampled locations, with concentrations peaking at natural monuments, though no-take MPAs were generally less contaminated than unprotected areas. The predominant polymers were organic and alkyd-based, with fragments smaller than 1,000 micrometers being most common, raising concerns about ecological risks even in protected marine environments.
Oxidative and metabolic responses in Crassostrea gasar under combined stressors of elevated temperature and microplastic exposure
Researchers exposed oysters (Crassostrea gasar) to polystyrene microplastics at different temperatures to assess their combined effects on oxidative stress and energy metabolism. The study found that both gills and digestive glands accumulated microplastics regardless of temperature, and that the combination of thermal stress and microplastic exposure produced distinct patterns of oxidative stress and metabolic disruption compared to either stressor alone.
Biochemical and physiological effects of multigenerational exposure to spheric polystyrene microplastics in Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers found that multigenerational exposure of C. elegans to polystyrene microplastics at low concentrations triggered oxidative stress, increased detoxification enzyme activity, and caused accumulating physiological effects across five consecutive generations.
Multigenerational effects of co-exposure to dimethylarsinic acid and polystyrene microplastics on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Researchers found that co-exposure to dimethylarsinic acid and polystyrene microplastics across five generations of C. elegans nematodes caused cumulative harm, with microplastics reducing detoxification capacity and arsenic impairing growth more severely than either pollutant alone.
Microalgae Polysaccharides: An Overview of Production, Characterization, and Potential Applications
This review covers microalgae polysaccharide production, characterization, and applications, highlighting their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties while noting that microalgae can simultaneously remediate wastewater during biomass growth.
Anthropogenic debris in three sympatric seal species of the Western Antarctic Peninsula
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three seal species inhabiting the Western Antarctic Peninsula: crabeater, leopard, and Weddell seals. The study confirmed the presence of anthropogenic debris in these Antarctic marine mammals, demonstrating that microplastic pollution has reached even remote polar ecosystems and their wildlife.
Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics in intertidal sediment and soft tissues of four species of Bivalvia from Southeast Brazilian urban beaches
Researchers found 100% microplastic contamination in intertidal sediments and four bivalve species from urbanized Brazilian beaches, identifying polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET polymers in organisms commonly consumed by humans.