Papers

Extracellular polymers substances towards the toxicity effect of Microcystis flos-aquae under subjected to nanoplastic stress

Researchers studied how nanoplastics affect a common freshwater algae and found that the algae produce protective substances in response, but the plastic particles still significantly inhibited growth and disrupted photosynthesis. This matters because harmful algal blooms and water quality are affected by nanoplastic pollution, with downstream consequences for drinking water safety and aquatic food sources.

Tire wear particles: Trends from bibliometric analysis, environmental distribution with meta-analysis, and implications

Bibliometric analysis showed tire wear particle research is concentrated in Europe and North America despite large vehicle populations in Asia and Africa. Meta-analysis revealed that tire wear particle concentrations varied greatly by country and environmental medium, with biotoxicity, environmental distribution, and human health risks identified as the current research hotspots.

Environmental occurrence, fate, impact, and potential solution of tire microplastics: Similarities and differences with tire wear particles

This review examines tire microplastics, one of the most abundant types of microplastics in the environment, which come from tire wear on roads, recycled tire rubber, and tire repair dust. These particles carry a complex mix of chemicals including heavy metals and organic pollutants that can harm aquatic and soil organisms. Since tire microplastics end up in waterways and soil near roads, they represent a significant but often overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.

Identification of quorum sensing-regulated Vibrio fortis as potential pathogenic bacteria for coral bleaching and the effects on the microbial shift

Researchers identified a species of Vibrio bacteria regulated by quorum sensing that can cause coral bleaching when it infects reef corals. Infection led to significant shifts in the coral's microbial community, disrupting the balance of beneficial symbionts. The study suggests that bacterial pathogens driven by coastal pollution may play a key role in coral reef degradation.

Early clues and molecular mechanism involved in neurodegenerative diseases induced in immature mice by combined exposure to polypropylene microplastics and DEHP

Researchers exposed young mice to polypropylene microplastics combined with DEHP, a chemical commonly found in plastics, and observed significant brain damage including memory problems and damage to the hippocampus. The combined exposure was worse than either substance alone, showing additive or synergistic toxic effects on the developing brain. This is particularly concerning for young children, who are most commonly exposed to polypropylene products and may be more vulnerable to these neurotoxic effects.

Effect of microplastics exposure on the photosynthesis system of freshwater algae

Researchers investigated how polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics affect the photosynthesis system of freshwater algae and found that both types reduced chlorophyll content and impaired photosynthetic efficiency. The damage was concentration-dependent and worsened over the growth period. The study highlights that microplastic pollution in freshwater can harm algae, which form the base of aquatic food chains.

Responses of Microcystis aeruginosa to polystyrene microplastics: Growth dynamics and implications for water treatment

Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics affect the harmful freshwater algae Microcystis aeruginosa, which causes toxic algal blooms. They found that while microplastics initially suppressed algae growth, the algae eventually adapted and grew even more, producing higher levels of the dangerous toxin microcystin. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater could worsen harmful algal blooms and create additional water treatment challenges.

Bioaccessibility of microplastic-associated heavy metals using an in vitro digestion model and its implications for human health risk assessment

Researchers evaluated the bioaccessibility of heavy metals associated with microplastics using an in vitro digestion model to assess human health risks. The study found significant adsorption of arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and lead onto polyvinyl chloride microplastics, with varying bioaccessibility across different digestive phases. The findings suggest that incorporating bioaccessibility data into risk assessments may provide more accurate estimates of health risks from ingesting microplastic-associated heavy metals.

Known and Unknown Environmental Impacts Related to Climate Changes in Pakistan: An Under-Recognized Risk to Local Communities

This study reviewed environmental challenges in Pakistan related to climate change, including under-recognized pollution issues within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor development projects. Researchers highlighted how rapid infrastructure expansion can worsen water and soil contamination, including from plastic waste and industrial pollutants. The findings underscore the need for environmental safeguards alongside economic development in the region.

Combined contamination of tire and road wear microplastics with heavy metals in expressway tunnels: occurrence characteristics and risk assessment

This study found that dust in expressway tunnels contains extremely high levels of tire and road wear microplastics, roughly 10 to 40 times more than dust from other land-use types in the same region. The microplastics inside tunnels also carried elevated levels of heavy metals like zinc and copper. The findings highlight highway tunnels as pollution hotspots where people and the environment face concentrated exposure to tire-derived microplastics and associated metals.

Microplastics as potential barriers to ultraviolet light emitting diode inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage: Influence of water-quality parameters

Researchers investigated whether microplastics in water could interfere with UV-LED disinfection, a common method used to kill viruses in drinking water. They found that PVC microplastics can shield viruses from UV light, reducing disinfection effectiveness, especially at higher microplastic concentrations and under certain water chemistry conditions. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination in water sources may compromise the safety of UV-based water treatment.

The frontier of microplastics and nanoplastics: Soil health and carbon neutrality

Effects of polyethylene microplastics, arsenic, and their combined contamination on maize seed germination

Researchers tested the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics and arsenic on maize seed germination. Low concentrations of either contaminant slightly promoted germination, but high concentrations significantly inhibited growth, while combined exposure showed complex concentration-dependent interactions ranging from synergistic enhancement to antagonistic effects on seedling development.

Testing green fiscal policies for green investment, innovation and green productivity amid the COVID-19 era

Antibacterial starch-cellulose-based films with pH-responsive colorimetric properties for real-time food freshness monitoring

Impact of extracellular polymeric substances from Skeletonema costatum on the combined toxicity of microplastics and antibiotics in estuarine environment

Researchers investigated how extracellular polymeric substances from the diatom Skeletonema costatum modified the combined toxicity of polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics with the antibiotic sulfamethazine, finding that the EPS layer provided partial protection against the joint pollutant stress.

Characterization, Microbial Community Structure, and Pathogen Occurrence in Two Typical Eel Farms

Researchers investigated water quality, microbial communities, and pathogen occurrence across two eel aquaculture farms in southeastern China, finding that conventional flocculant treatment only effectively reduced phosphorus and that nitrogen and pathogen management remained significant challenges.

Heavy metal release from two typical tire microplastics under different simulated environments and bioavailability assessment in China

Researchers measured heavy metal (Zn, As, Cd) release from tire repair polished debris and recycled tire crumb rubber under simulated acid rain and seawater conditions, finding significant leaching — especially of zinc — with notable differences between tire brands and regional samples from northern and southern China.

Magnetic silica-coated cutinase immobilized via ELPs biomimetic mineralization for efficient nano-PET degradation

Researchers developed magnetically recoverable cutinase enzymes immobilized on silica-coated nanoparticles via a biomimetic mineralization approach, achieving 86% retained enzyme activity after 11 recycling cycles and degrading nano-sized PET plastic particles nearly as efficiently as free enzymes — offering a reusable, environmentally friendly approach to nanoplastic biodegradation.

Effects of disposable face mask microplastics on soil properties and microbial communities

Distribution characteristics of microplastics in the soil of mangrove restoration wetland and the effects of microplastics on soil characteristics

Researchers measured microplastic distribution in soils of a mangrove restoration wetland with different planting densities, finding an average abundance of 217 MPs per kilogram of dry soil with higher concentrations in denser planting zones. MPs in the soil also altered wetland soil physicochemical properties including bulk density and organic matter content.

Inhibitory effect of polyethylene microplastics on roxarsone degradation in soils

Polyethylene microplastics inhibited the degradation of roxarsone organoarsenical in soil primarily by lowering soil pH, which enhanced roxarsone sorption and suppressed key microbial genes involved in its stepwise biotransformation to less toxic metabolites.

Microplastics and accumulated heavy metals in restored mangrove wetland surface sediments at Jinjiang Estuary (Fujian, China)

Microplastics in restored mangrove wetland sediments in China were found in higher concentrations than in adjacent mudflats, suggesting that mangrove restoration itself may promote plastic accumulation. Surface analysis of microplastics revealed the presence of toxic metals including chromium, zinc, lead, and cadmium, indicating plastics as a carrier for these pollutants.

An efficient strategy to tailor PET hydrolase: Simple preparation with high yield and enhanced hydrolysis to micro-nano plastics

This study developed a simplified, high-yield preparation method for PET-degrading hydrolase enzymes to improve their ability to break down PET nano- and microplastics. The engineered enzyme showed enhanced hydrolysis activity against PET microplastics, offering a more practical route to enzymatic plastic waste treatment.