Papers

Co-occurrence of microplastics and heavy metals to urban river sediments: The vertical distribution characterization and comprehensive ecological risk assessment

Researchers studied how microplastics and heavy metals are distributed at different depths in urban river sediments and found that pollution risk actually increases deeper in the sediment. Polyethylene fragments were the most common type of microplastic found, and the combination of microplastics with heavy metals like zinc, arsenic, and cadmium creates a compounded ecological risk. These findings suggest that looking only at surface sediment may underestimate the true extent of pollution in urban waterways.

Microplastics as a vehicle of heavy metals in aquatic environments: A review of adsorption factors, mechanisms, and biological effects

This review summarizes how microplastics in water can absorb and carry toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, making them more dangerous to aquatic life than either pollutant alone. Environmental factors such as water acidity, salinity, and organic matter influence how much metal sticks to microplastic surfaces. Since contaminated seafood is a major source of human exposure, understanding these interactions is important for assessing health risks.

Impact of polyamide microplastics on riparian sediment structures and Cd(II) adsorption: A comparison of natural exposure, dry-wet cycles, and freeze-thaw cycles

This study looked at how polyamide microplastics affect riverbank sediments and their ability to absorb cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, under different weather conditions like freeze-thaw and dry-wet cycles. Microplastics destabilized the sediment structure and changed how organic matter behaved, which in turn altered how cadmium moved through the environment. These findings suggest microplastics in waterways could change how toxic metals travel and potentially reach drinking water sources.

Biofilm on microplastics in aqueous environment: Physicochemical properties and environmental implications

This review examines how bacteria and other microorganisms form sticky films called biofilms on microplastic surfaces in water. These biofilms change how microplastics move through the environment and increase their ability to absorb pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics. Biofilm-coated microplastics may also carry harmful bacteria, making them a greater potential health risk than clean microplastic particles.

Effects of microplastics on microbial community structure and wheatgrass traits in Pb-contaminated riparian sediments under flood-drainage-planting conditions

Researchers studied how polyethylene and biodegradable PLA microplastics interact with lead contamination in river sediments under simulated flood-drainage-planting conditions. Both types of microplastics altered the microbial communities in the sediment and affected how much lead was available to plants, with higher concentrations of microplastics generally increasing lead uptake by wheatgrass. This shows how microplastics in contaminated waterways can amplify the movement of heavy metals into plants and potentially into the food chain.

The influence of digestive tract protein on cytotoxicity of polyvinyl chloride microplastics

This study examined how human digestive enzymes change the properties of PVC microplastics as they pass through a simulated digestive tract. After digestion, the microplastics became more water-friendly and mobile in the body, and they caused greater damage to intestinal cells, including reduced cell survival, increased oxidative stress, and disrupted energy metabolism. These findings suggest that the digestion process itself may make microplastics more harmful to the human gut than previously assumed.

Insights into effects of drying–wetting cycles on dissolved organic matter and Cd bioavailability in riparian sediments amended with microplastics

This study examined how microplastics interact with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, in riverside sediments during wet and dry cycles that mimic natural flooding conditions. Biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics increased cadmium availability more than conventional plastics, likely because they release chemical additives as they break down. The results suggest that even biodegradable plastics in soil and sediment can make heavy metal contamination worse, raising concerns about their impact on water quality and food safety.

Biodegradable and re-usable sponge materials made from chitin for efficient removal of microplastics

Researchers developed biodegradable sponges made from chitin, a natural material, that can effectively remove tiny microplastic particles smaller than 3 micrometers from water. The sponges achieved removal rates of up to 92% and could be reused for multiple cycles while remaining safe for aquatic organisms. This green approach offers a promising, environmentally friendly method for cleaning microplastics from water systems.

Interactions between microplastics/nanoplastics and vascular plants

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics interact with vascular plants, covering both how plants affect the fate of plastic particles and how the particles affect plant health. Researchers found that plants can act as sinks for micro- and nanoplastics, accumulating them from soil and water, while exposure to these particles can inhibit seed germination, root growth, and photosynthesis. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interactions for assessing risks to agricultural productivity and food safety.

Microplastic pollution in the rivers of the Tibet Plateau

Researchers collected water and sediment samples from rivers on the Tibet Plateau and found microplastic contamination even in this remote, sparsely populated region. The microplastics included fibers and fragments from synthetic textiles and packaging, likely transported by atmospheric deposition and human activity along river corridors. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution has reached some of the most isolated freshwater systems on Earth.

Are microplastics in livestock and poultry manure an emerging threat to agricultural soil safety?

This review examines the overlooked problem of microplastics in livestock and poultry manure, which enters agricultural soil when manure is used as fertilizer. Manure processing can actually make microplastics smaller, rougher, and more numerous, and the particles often carry additional pollutants like heavy metals, antibiotics, and pathogens. This creates a concerning cycle where microplastics from animal feed and farm equipment contaminate manure, which then introduces these particles directly into cropland and the food supply.

Effects of micro/nanoplastics on microorganisms and plants in constructed wetlands during the nitrogen removal process: A review

Effects of microplastics on sedimentary geochemical properties and microbial ecosystems combined with hydraulic disturbance

Researchers investigated how microplastics interact with river sediments under flowing water conditions versus still water. They found that water movement significantly amplified the effects of microplastics on sediment structure, organic matter, and enzyme activity compared to static conditions. The study reveals that the environmental impact of microplastics in rivers is more complex and potentially greater than laboratory experiments under calm conditions would suggest.

Comparison of the abundance of microplastics between rural and urban areas: A case study from East Dongting Lake

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the lakeshore sediment of East Dongting Lake in China, comparing urban and rural areas. They found moderate levels of contamination dominated by small, transparent fibers, with eight different polymer types identified. Surprisingly, the study found that rural areas had higher microplastic abundance than urban areas, potentially due to differences in environmental protection measures between the two settings.

Exploring correlations between microplastics, microorganisms, and water quality in an urban drinking water source

This study explored the relationships between microplastics, microorganisms, and water quality in China's Xiangjiang River, a source of urban drinking water. Researchers found that microplastic levels were higher near urban areas and wastewater plant outlets, and that the smallest particles showed the strongest correlations with microbial community changes, suggesting complex interactions between plastic pollution and river ecosystems.

Comparison of freshwater microbial communities in water and microplastics surfaces: insights from Dongting Lake, China

Retention and migration of microplastics in stepped paddy fields: A study on microplastic dynamics in the special irrigation system

Researchers tracked microplastic movement through stepped paddy fields in China, finding that contamination increased significantly during the rice growing season. Microplastic abundance in soil nearly doubled from pre-planting to post-harvest, with irrigation water identified as the primary input pathway. The study reveals that the terraced structure of stepped paddy fields, while designed for water management, also influences how microplastics accumulate and migrate through agricultural landscapes.

Microbial regulation of organic solid waste composting: Lignocellulose degradation (fertilization), process gas emissions, and containment of typical pollutants

This review examines how microbial agents can improve composting of organic solid waste by enhancing lignocellulose breakdown, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and managing pollutants including microplastics. Researchers found that inoculating compost with bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes accelerates decomposition, promotes humus formation, and can decrease heavy metal bioavailability and degrade antibiotics. The study suggests that complex microbial formulations show greater stability and environmental adaptability due to synergistic effects.

Microplastics retention by reeds in freshwater environment

Researchers sampled microplastics in sediment and plant tissue from reed beds in a freshwater environment, finding that reeds retained significantly more microplastics than adjacent open water sediments, suggesting that emergent vegetation may act as a natural microplastic sink.

Effect of carbon black particle size in chitin sponges on microplastics adsorption

Characteristics of waste toner powder and its interaction effect on the physicochemical properties of asphalt binder

Hydrodynamic driven microplastics in Dongting Lake, China: Quantification of the flux and transportation

Researchers developed a framework combining field monitoring with numerical simulation to quantify microplastic transport in Dongting Lake, a large freshwater lake in China. They estimated that roughly 199 trillion microplastic items entered and 129 trillion exited the lake in 2021, and identified four key accumulation zones overlapping with nature reserves and agricultural areas. The study suggests that these accumulation patterns pose considerable risks to both ecological biodiversity and food security.

Speciation and release risk of heavy metals bonded on simulated naturally-aged microplastics prepared from artificially broken macroplastics

Researchers investigated heavy metal speciation and release risk from naturally aged microplastics in simulated saltwater and gastrointestinal solutions, finding that different metals varied in adsorption capacity and release behavior, posing potential risks to both ecosystems and human health.

Occurrence and Effects of Microplastics in Lake Ecosystems: Particular Focus on Migration in Water and Food Chains