Papers

A systematic review on the aging of microplastics and the effects of typical factors in various environmental media

Review of the toxic effect of microplastics on terrestrial and aquatic plants

This review summarizes research on how microplastics affect both terrestrial and aquatic plants, finding that their toxicity depends on the type, size, and surface chemistry of the plastic particles. Researchers found that seeds and root systems are particularly vulnerable to microplastic exposure, and that the harmful effects differ between land and water plants. The study also highlights that chemicals released from or adsorbed onto microplastics pose additional secondary risks to plant health.

Dual-Stress Mitigation of Sclerotinia under Microplastic Toxicity by Nano-Selenium: Redox Balance, Pathogen Suppression, and Transcriptome Reprogramming

Researchers investigated whether selenium nanoparticles could protect rapeseed plants from combined stress caused by microplastics and the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia. The study found that selenium nanoparticles improved photosynthesis, reduced oxidative damage, and showed strong antifungal activity, suggesting they may help mitigate microplastic-induced phytotoxicity and fungal disease in agricultural settings.

Mechanisms of microplastics sorption of antibiotics and impacts on aquatic ecosystems for sustainable development goals

This review examines how microplastics serve as carriers for antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems through sorption mechanisms including hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic forces, and chemical bonding. The study found that environmental factors like pH, salinity, and organic matter affect how antibiotics bind to microplastics, while weathering processes can transform microplastics into nanoplastics that potentially increase pollutant mobility.

Siloxane and Nano-SiO2 Dual-Modified Bio-Polymer Coatings Based on Recyclable Spent Mushroom Substrate: Excellent Performance, Controlled-Release Mechanism, and Effect on Plant Growth

Researchers developed improved controlled-release urea coatings using spent mushroom substrate modified with siloxane and nano-silica. The dual modification extended the nitrogen release period from 23 to 42 days and reduced water absorption, offering a sustainable bio-based alternative to petrochemical coatings for agricultural fertilizers. This study focuses on agricultural polymer coatings rather than environmental microplastic contamination.

Qualitative and quantitative detection of microplastics in soil based on LIF technology combined with OOA-ELM/SPA-PLS

A Study on the Growth and Physiological Toxicity Effects of the Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Cadmium on the Vicia faba L. Seedlings

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics alone and combined with cadmium affect the growth and physiology of fava bean seedlings grown in hydroponic culture. The study found that microplastics altered root biomass, antioxidant enzyme activity, and cellular damage markers, and that fluorescent microplastic particles entered and accumulated in root tips, indicating direct uptake by the plant.

Sorption properties of tylosin on four different microplastics

This study tested the sorption of the antibiotic tylosin onto four types of microplastics, finding that sorption capacity varied significantly by plastic type, with implications for how microplastics may transport antibiotics through aquatic environments.

The photo-aging of polyvinyl chloride microplastics under different UV irradiations

Focus topics on microplastics in soil: Analytical methods, occurrence, transport, and ecological risks

This review examined analytical methods, occurrence data, transport mechanisms, and ecological risks for microplastics in soil environments, finding significant methodological variability and widespread contamination across land use types. The authors call for a universal analytical standard and identify transport via wind, water, and soil fauna as key vectors for microplastic movement in soils.

Adsorption Characteristics of Ball Milling-Modified Chinese Medicine Residue Biochar Toward Quercetin

Researchers prepared biochar from traditional Chinese medicine residues at different temperatures and used ball milling to enhance its adsorption properties for quercetin, an allelopathic compound. They found that ball milling significantly increased the surface area and adsorption capacity of the biochar compared to unmodified versions. The study demonstrates a potential use for medicinal plant waste in agricultural soil remediation applications.

The aging behaviors and release of microplastics: A review

Synergistic integration of biosurfactants and membrane filtration for sustainable environmental remediation

This review examines the combined use of biosurfactants and membrane filtration (micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration) for removing heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS from water, finding that biosurfactants like rhamnolipids enhance removal rates with metal/organic rejection exceeding 95%.

Synergistic integration of biosurfactants and membrane filtration for sustainable environmental remediation

This review examines the combined use of biosurfactants and membrane filtration (micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration) for removing heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS from water, finding that biosurfactants like rhamnolipids enhance removal rates with metal/organic rejection exceeding 95%.

Enhanced the interaction of biodegradable microplastics with tetracycline by persulfate oxidation process

Researchers studied how persulfate-based oxidation processes affect the adsorption of tetracycline onto biodegradable microplastics, finding that oxidative treatment altered the surface chemistry of the plastics and significantly enhanced their ability to bind this common antibiotic.

Highly enhanced adsorption of antibiotics on aged polyamide microplastics

Research Progress of the Sources, Distribution Characteristics, and Potential Risks of Microplastics in the Global Marine Environment

An Emerging Solution for Medical Waste: Reuse of COVID-19 Protective Suit in Concrete

Researchers investigated incorporating shredded COVID-19 protective suit polypropylene material into concrete as a way to divert medical plastic waste from landfills. The polypropylene fiber additions improved concrete tensile properties at certain mix ratios, suggesting a viable pathway for valorizing single-use medical plastic waste in construction materials.

Coal dust nanoparticles induced pulmonary fibrosis by promoting inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway driven by IGF1/ROS-mediated AKT/GSK3β signals

Researchers investigated how coal dust nanoparticles trigger lung scarring (pulmonary fibrosis) in coal miners, identifying a molecular chain reaction where nanoparticles activate the IGF1 signaling pathway, generate damaging reactive oxygen species, and ultimately drive inflammation and tissue remodeling. The study pinpoints specific drug targets that could potentially prevent or treat the lung disease that affects millions of miners worldwide.

Adsorption of oxytetracycline in hyporheic zone sediments mediated by microplastics: Experimental revelations and mechanistic insights

Machine learning for microalgae detection and utilization

This review assessed machine learning applications for microalgae detection, classification, and utilization in aquaculture and bioproduction, finding that deep learning approaches achieve the highest accuracy for species identification from microscopy images. The authors highlighted ML as an enabling technology for automating microalgae monitoring and optimizing production in industrial bioreactors.

Differences in the characteristics and pulmonary toxicity of nano- and micron-sized respirable coal dust

Researchers compared how nano-sized versus micron-sized coal dust particles affect lung tissue, finding that the nanosized particles caused more severe inflammation, mitochondrial damage, cell death, and scarring than larger particles. The results suggest particle size is a critical factor in determining how harmful inhaled dust — and by extension, nanoplastics — can be to the respiratory system.

Citizen Environmental Behavior From the Perspective of Psychological Distance Based on a Visual Analysis of Bibliometrics and Scientific Knowledge Mapping

A bibliometric and scientific knowledge mapping analysis examined how psychological distance theory has been applied to research on citizen environmental behavior, finding that perceived distance from environmental problems reduces motivation to act. The review identifies framing strategies that reduce psychological distance as key for designing effective environmental communication campaigns.

Release of millions of micro(nano)plastic fragments from photooxidation of disposable plastic boxes

Polypropylene and polystyrene disposable plastic boxes were subjected to UV irradiation and mechanical abrasion for up to 60 days, releasing millions of micro- and nanoplastic fragments. Polystyrene lost 100% of its mass through fragmentation under these conditions, while both polymers shed particles that spanned the nanometer to micrometer range.