Papers

Seasonal dynamics and typology of microplastic pollution in Huixian karst wetland groundwater: Implications for ecosystem health

Researchers tracked microplastic levels in groundwater beneath a karst wetland in China across seasons, finding contamination ranging from about 1 to 49 particles per liter. The unique cave-and-underground-river geology of karst regions allows microplastics to migrate from the surface into groundwater more easily than in other terrains, with agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater identified as the main pollution sources.

Toxic effects and mechanisms of nanoplastics and sulfonamide antibiotics on Scenedesmus obliquus

This study tested the combined toxic effects of nanoplastics and sulfonamide antibiotics on freshwater algae, finding that the pollutants together were more harmful than either one alone. The mixture reduced algae growth, damaged cell membranes, and increased oxidative stress. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains, this damage could cascade through ecosystems and eventually affect the quality of water and food that humans depend on.

Spatial distribution characteristics and migration of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and sediment in karst areas: The case of Yulong River in Guilin, Southwest China

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in surface water, sediment, and groundwater in the karst landscape of the Yulong River in Guilin, China. They found microplastic pollution across all water compartments, with living areas showing the highest contamination and tourism-related disposable plastics identified as a primary source. The study suggests that microplastics reach groundwater through hydraulic exchange with surface water in karst areas rather than through soil infiltration.

Decreased particle size enhances the aging behavior of microplastics during sewage sludge composting: Physicochemical properties and cadmium loading

Researchers investigated how particle size affects the aging behavior of PET microplastics during sewage sludge composting and their subsequent ability to accumulate cadmium. They found that smaller microplastics aged faster, with the smallest particles showing the greatest increases in surface area, oxidation, and cadmium loading. The study demonstrates that particle size plays a critical role in both the degradation rate of microplastics during composting and their capacity to adsorb heavy metal pollutants.

An Overlooked Entry Pathway of Microplastics into Agricultural Soils from Application of Sludge-Based Fertilizers

Researchers analyzed sludge-based fertilizers applied to agricultural soils and found high microplastic concentrations (hundreds to thousands per kilogram of dry weight) that were transferred to soils after application, identifying this as an important but overlooked pathway for terrestrial microplastic contamination.

Occurrence and removal of microplastics from wastewater treatment plants in a typical tourist city in China

Synthesis and Characterization of Superhydrophobic Epoxy Resin Coating with SiO2@CuO/HDTMS for Enhanced Self-Cleaning, Photocatalytic, and Corrosion-Resistant Properties

Researchers developed a superhydrophobic epoxy resin coating incorporating silica and copper oxide nanoparticles for corrosion protection of aluminum alloys. The coating demonstrated enhanced self-cleaning properties through both physical water repellency and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, offering a durable and eco-friendly approach to reducing microplastic-generating surface degradation.

Integrative models for environmental forecasting of phthalate migration from microplastics in aquaculture environments

Researchers studied how six common phthalate esters leach from plastic aquaculture tools made of PET, PP, and PE over 30 days. They found significant leaching of these chemicals, with turbulence and temperature being the strongest influencing factors, and developed kinetic models to predict phthalate migration under real-world conditions. The findings suggest that plastic tools used in aquaculture are a meaningful source of phthalate contamination in farmed seafood environments.

The bioaccumulation characteristics and combined toxicity effects of aged microplastics with adsorbed Hg(II) in oysters

Researchers investigated how mercury-adsorbed microplastics accumulate in oysters and affect their health. They found that aged tire microplastics showed accumulation levels three to six times higher than polyethylene microplastics, and that mercury was primarily delivered to the oysters through the microplastics as carriers via food pathways. Medium and high concentrations of these contaminated microplastics induced oxidative damage, immune dysfunction, and changes in gene expression in the oysters.

Microplastics in surface waters and sediments of the Wei River, in the northwest of China

Microplastics were measured in surface water and sediments across the Wei River basin in northwest China, finding water concentrations of 3.67–10.7 items/L and sediment concentrations of 360–1,320 items/kg, with fibers (50.1%) and small particles (<0.5 mm) dominant. The study documents widespread microplastic contamination in the largest tributary of the Yellow River, driven by urbanization and agricultural runoff.

Real-time and sensitive detection, recognition, and removal of nanoplastics in water based on a BaTiO3-PDMS liquid-solid TENG

The Safety and Quality of Staple Root and Tuber Crops: A Review on Hazards, Detection Methods, and Mitigation Strategies

This review systematically examined safety hazards, detection methods, and mitigation strategies for staple root and tuber crops including potatoes, cassava, and yams. Covered hazards included pesticides, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants like microplastics that can accumulate in these staple foods.

The conversion of metal ions to metals particles contributes the photoaging of microplastics in aquatic environments

Assessment of relationship between aging and contaminant-carryover for different filter layer of surgical mask under urban environmental stressors

Researchers exposed surgical mask layers to UV radiation and ozone to simulate urban environmental aging, finding that UV caused more severe degradation, that aged masks sorbed more organic pollutants such as the antibiotic tylosin and fungicide phenanthrene, and that hydrophobic interactions dominated contaminant uptake across all conditions.

Distribution of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Qin river in Beibu Gulf, China

Microplastics were detected throughout the surface water and sediments of China's Qin River flowing into the Beibu Gulf, with higher concentrations near urban and agricultural areas. The findings document plastic contamination in a major South China Sea tributary and point to land-based human activity as the primary source.

Microplastics in freshwater and wild fishes from Lijiang River in Guangxi, Southwest China

Microplastic contamination was characterized in freshwater and wild fish from the Lijiang River in Guangxi, southern China, a major tourist destination. Microplastics were found in both river water and fish tissues, raising concerns about exposure for local populations and tourists who consume fish from this internationally known waterway.

Photon-induced redox chemistry on pyrite promotes photoaging of polystyrene microplastics

Pyrite, a common mineral in lake and river sediments, was found to accelerate photoaging of polystyrene microplastics through redox reactions when exposed to sunlight, generating reactive oxygen species that oxidize the plastic surface. The finding identifies mineral-plastic interactions as an important but underappreciated driver of microplastic weathering in natural sediment environments.

Selective enrichment of nitrogen-metabolizing species in agricultural small water bodies: the potential regulation of additives from microplastics color

Colored microplastics released different chemical additives into agricultural pond water depending on their pigmentation, and these additive differences selectively influenced nitrogen-cycling microbial communities, suggesting that plastic color and its associated chemicals can reshape nutrient dynamics in small agricultural water bodies.

Metal-organic frameworks for targeted capture of Micro/Nanoplastics in aquatic systems: Mechanisms, innovations, and environmental applications

Highly Efficient Photothermal‐Catalytic Depolymerization of Polyester Fiber Enabled by a Phosphotungstate‐Based Palladium Single‐Atom Catalyst

A photothermal-catalytic process was developed for efficiently depolymerizing specific plastic types using light energy, converting them back to monomers or small molecules. This approach offers a sustainable pathway for chemical plastic recycling that reduces energy demand compared to conventional thermochemical methods.

Atmospheric microplastic deposition in Guilin karst wetlands: Sources and agricultural impact

Establishing a fatigue life equation linking microplastic strain and strain hardening of freeze-thawed rocks

Oxalic-activated minerals enhance the stabilization of polypropylene and polyamide microplastics in soil: Crucial roles of mineral dissolution coupled surface oxygen-functional groups

Researchers found that oxalic acid-activated minerals enhance the stabilization of polypropylene and polyamide microplastics in soil through mineral dissolution and surface oxygen-functional groups creating new adsorption pathways.

Comparison of microplastics pollution between rehabilitated and unrehabilitated quarries soil in karst area: Distribution, characteristics and risk