Papers

Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Their Use in Biomedical Field

This review covers the synthesis, properties, and biomedical uses of magnetic nanoparticles for applications like drug delivery, medical imaging, and cancer treatment. While not directly about microplastics, the same nanoparticle technologies discussed here are being adapted for environmental cleanup, including the removal of microplastics from water. The paper serves as a useful reference for understanding the nanotechnology tools that could help address microplastic pollution.

Can Cultured Meat Be an Alternative to Farm Animal Production for a Sustainable and Healthier Lifestyle?

This review examines whether cultured meat, grown from cells in a bioreactor rather than raised on farms, could serve as a more sustainable alternative to conventional animal agriculture. Researchers found potential benefits including reduced land use and pollution, but noted that the energy required for cultured meat production could be higher due to replacing biological functions with technological processes.

Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics exposure on in vitro-grown Stevia rebaudiana plants

Researchers exposed stevia plants to polystyrene nanoplastics at various concentrations and tracked their uptake and effects on plant growth and metabolite production. The study found that at higher concentrations, nanoplastics accumulated in roots and traveled to leaves, reducing plant growth while increasing stress-related metabolite production. Interestingly, low-dose nanoplastic exposure actually boosted production of steviol glycosides, the plant's sweetening compounds, suggesting a hormetic dose-response pattern.

Fine tuning enzyme activity assays for monitoring the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET

Researchers improved two laboratory methods — one using HPLC (a chemical separation technique) and one using UV light — to more accurately measure how well enzymes break down PET plastic. The upgraded methods offer greater precision and reproducibility, which is essential for developing better plastic-degrading biotechnology.

Microstructural Investigations Regarding Sustainable Recycling of Ceramic Slurry Collected from Industrial Waste Waters

This study examined the microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic slurry waste collected from industrial wastewater to assess its potential for sustainable recycling. Researchers found that the recycled ceramic material retained useful structural properties, supporting its viability as a raw material for environmentally friendly applications.

The influence of media narratives on microplastics risk perception

Researchers examined how media narratives about microplastic pollution influence public risk perception. The study argues that accurate and balanced reporting is essential to prevent misinformation and ensure people clearly understand the risks associated with microplastics. The findings suggest that understanding public perceptions can help design better interventions to reduce plastic consumption and its associated health and environmental impacts.

Blue micro-/nanoplastics abundance in the environment: a double threat as a Trojan horse for a plastic-Cu-phthalocyanine pigment and an opportunity for nanoplastic detection <i>via</i> micro-Raman spectroscopy

Researchers exploited the resonance Raman signal of copper-phthalocyanine blue pigment in abundant environmental blue microplastics to enable micro-Raman spectroscopic detection of nanoplastics below conventional size limits, simultaneously identifying pigmented microplastics as a dual environmental threat and detection opportunity.

From molecular to nanoplastic SERS detection: insights into the role of analytes in plasmonic substrate design

Researchers investigated the gap between using probe molecules to demonstrate SERS substrate efficiency and the practical detection of nanoplastics, developing substrates and protocols that can identify and characterize nanoplastic particles directly in environmental samples.

Have You Ever Seen a Microplastic? A Collaborative High School–Academia Approach for Identification, Quantification and Raising Awareness of Microplastics in a River Crossing Urban Area

Researchers designed a high school–university collaboration where students collected water samples from an urban river, identified microplastics by microscopy, and contributed to local pollution mapping — demonstrating that student-led citizen science can meaningfully advance microplastic monitoring while raising environmental awareness.

THE EFFECTS OF MICROPLASTIC AND NANO PLASTIC PARTICLES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE HUMAN BODY

This paper reviews the current evidence on the effects of microplastic and nanoplastic particles on both the environment and human health, noting that the topic has been underexplored partly due to scientific complexity and the influence of large industrial interests.

Macro and microplastic pollution in Romania: addressing knowledge gaps and potential solutions under the circular economy framework

This paper identifies knowledge gaps in macro- and microplastic pollution research in Romania and proposes solutions within a circular economy framework, covering issues such as littering rates, agricultural plastic, and freshwater contamination. The authors call for improved monitoring and waste management aligned with EU policy.

Subterranean transport of microplastics as evidenced in karst springs and their characterization using Raman spectroscopy

Raman micro-spectroscopy confirmed the presence of microplastics in karst spring water from rural Romania, with concentrations of 0.034-0.06 fragments or fibres per liter, demonstrating subterranean transport of microplastics through karst aquifer systems.

Assessment of Economic, Social, and Perceptual Impacts of Soil Pollution by Microplastic Particles (MPs) in Romania

In vitro assessment of microplastic degradation by pepsin and lipase as selected fish digestive enzymes

Detection of blue nanoplastics using resonance Raman spectroscopy coupled with plasmonic nanostructured substrates

Researchers developed a method for detecting blue-colored nanoplastics using resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with plasmonic nanostructured substrates as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The approach addressed the challenge of detecting sub-micron particles in complex environmental matrices where physical and chemical aging alter nanoplastic signatures.

Policy Implementation and Management of Microplastics in Freshwater and Soil

This review examines policy failures in managing plastic waste entering freshwater and soil environments, linking inadequate waste collection infrastructure and littering behavior to direct dumping of plastics and their subsequent fragmentation into microplastics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Some Unmodified Household Adsorbents for the Adsorption of Benzalkonium Chloride—A Kinetic and Thermodynamic Case Study for Commercially Available Paper

Researchers investigated the adsorption of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a biocide surfactant that accumulated in water systems during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, using unmodified household paper-based adsorbents. The study conducted kinetic and thermodynamic analyses to characterise the adsorption capacity and mechanism of commercially available paper materials for removing this emerging contaminant.

Moving from Raman Spectroscopy Lab towards Analytical Applications: A Review of Interlaboratory Studies

This review examines the analytical applicability of Raman spectroscopy by evaluating interlaboratory studies that assess consistency across different locations, equipment, and operators. The study identifies significant limitations hindering reproducible results and discusses how overcoming these barriers could advance Raman spectroscopy applications in personalized medicine, diagnostics, and standardized analytical protocols.

“Fishing and Hunting”—Selective Immobilization of a Recombinant Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase from Fermentation Media

This study presents a streamlined method for immobilizing industrial enzymes using magnetic nanoparticles, avoiding the costly purification steps normally required. The technique improves efficiency in enzyme-based industrial processes, though it is not directly related to microplastic research.

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Adsorption Studies. A case study

This study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to describe the adsorption of benzalkonium chloride from aqueous solutions onto kitchen paper. Various ANN architectures with differing neuron counts and transfer functions were tested, with model performance evaluated by coefficient of determination and mean absolute percentage error. The optimal network was then used to assess the relative importance of input parameters and evaluate predictive capability beyond the training range.