Papers

One hundred priority questions for advancing seagrass conservation in Europe

European researchers identified 100 key questions that need answering to better protect seagrass ecosystems, which are underwater meadows vital for carbon storage, biodiversity, and coastal protection. While not directly about microplastics, seagrass beds act as filters that can trap microplastic pollution and are themselves threatened by it. Protecting these ecosystems could play an important role in reducing microplastic contamination in coastal waters.

Impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on early-life health: a roadmap towards risk assessment

Researchers proposed a detailed risk assessment roadmap specifically for how micro- and nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and early childhood could harm fetal and infant development, noting that these tiny particles have already been detected in human placentas. The framework identifies critical gaps in dosing data, detection methods, and placental transfer research needed before reliable safety conclusions can be drawn.

Interlaboratory Comparison Reveals State of the Art in Microplastic Detection and Quantification Methods

This large international study compared how 84 laboratories around the world performed when identifying and measuring microplastics using five common detection methods. The results showed significant differences between labs, with spectroscopy-based methods generally outperforming heat-based techniques for accuracy. The findings highlight that standardized methods are urgently needed so that microplastic measurements in food, water, and the environment can be reliably compared across studies.

Numerical modeling of microplastic interaction with fine sediment under estuarine conditions

This study developed a numerical model to simulate how microplastics interact with fine sediment particles under estuary conditions. Researchers found that interactions with suspended sediment significantly influence where microplastics travel and accumulate in coastal waterways. The model provides a new tool for predicting microplastic transport patterns and identifying pollution hotspots in estuarine environments.

Perspective article: Multisectoral considerations to enable a circular economy for plastics

Researchers from the P-LEACH project explored how UV-weathered plastics release harmful chemicals and micro- and nanoplastics into water, and proposed a circular economy framework to address plastic pollution. They recommend simplifying the chemicals used in plastic production, designing products for recyclability, and fostering open dialogue between scientists, manufacturers, and regulators. The study underscores that tackling plastic pollution requires coordinated action across multiple sectors of society.

Biofilms on Plastics Slow Photo-Oxidation while Promoting Surface Degradation

Researchers studied how microbial biofilms on plastic bottles affect the breakdown of PET plastic under ultraviolet light and found that biofilms play a dual role. While they slowed down chemical photo-oxidation by shielding the surface from UV rays, they simultaneously made the plastic more brittle and rough, ultimately promoting physical fragmentation. The findings reveal that plastic aging in natural environments is more complex than laboratory studies on clean plastics suggest.

Development of a reliable preprocessing protocol for fluorescent micro- and nanoplastic analysis in human placental tissue

Researchers developed and optimized a laboratory protocol for preparing human placental tissue samples so that micro- and nanoplastics can be accurately detected using microscopy. They tested various enzyme and buffer combinations and found that some methods caused fluorescent dye to leach from test particles, potentially creating false positive readings. The study provides a reliable preprocessing method that will help improve the accuracy of future research measuring plastic particles in human tissues.

Floating macrolitter leaked from Europe into the ocean

Traditional Dimensions of Seabed Resource Management in the Context of Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific: Learning From the Socio-Ecological Interconnectivity Between Island Communities and the Ocean Realm

This study examines how traditional Pacific Island knowledge and customary marine management practices relate to deep-sea mining proposals in the region. Researchers found that local communities hold deep cultural and spiritual connections to the sea that existing legal frameworks do not fully protect. The study argues that traditional dimensions of seabed resource management should be better integrated into decision-making around deep-sea mining to ensure sustainable and equitable ocean governance.

Effects of microplastic particles and leaching additive on the life history and morphology of Daphnia magna

Researchers compared the chronic effects of flexible PVC microplastics containing the plasticizer DiNP versus rigid PVC without plasticizer on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. They found that flexible PVC increased body length and reduced offspring production, while rigid PVC and glass bead controls had no effect. The study demonstrates that the plasticizer additive leaching from microplastics, rather than the plastic particle itself, can be the primary driver of biological harm.

Hepatic transcriptomic and histopathological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, to copper and microplastic exposure

Researchers investigated how PVC microplastics interact with copper exposure in common carp over 14 days. They found that the microplastic particles acted as a vector for copper, increasing its accumulation in the liver and worsening tissue damage beyond what either pollutant caused alone. The study suggests that microplastics can amplify the toxic effects of heavy metals in freshwater fish.

Monitoring of microplastic pollution in the Arctic: recent developments in polymer identification, quality assurance and control, and data reporting

This review examines analytical methods for monitoring microplastic pollution in the Arctic, covering sampling, extraction, identification, and quality control procedures. The study highlights the particular challenges of microplastic research in Arctic environments, including contamination risks and analyte losses, and proposes a framework for harmonized data reporting to improve comparability across studies.

Coral reef benthic community changes in the Anthropocene: Biogeographic heterogeneity, overlooked configurations, and methodology

This meta-analysis of 523 articles found that coral reef communities are shifting toward alternative configurations beyond the traditional coral-to-algae narrative, with sponges, soft corals, and other organisms increasingly dominating degraded reefs. The study revealed strong biogeographic heterogeneity in these transitions, with different ocean regions experiencing distinct community shifts. Microplastic pollution is among the stressors contributing to coral reef degradation, and understanding these community transitions helps predict ecosystem-level impacts of combined anthropogenic pressures.

Microplastics in Beaches of the East Frisian Islands Spiekeroog and Kachelotplate

Researchers quantified microplastic particles on beaches of the East Frisian Islands in Germany, finding both granules and fibers but no fragments or polystyrene pellets. The highest concentrations of granules were found at the high water line and near a blue mussel bank, with overall numbers higher than those reported from the Belgian coast.

Investigating Exposure and Hazards of Micro- and Nanoplastics During Pregnancy and Early Life (AURORA Project): Protocol for an Interdisciplinary Study

This research protocol outlines an interdisciplinary study designed to investigate how micro- and nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and early life may affect human health. The AURORA Project aims to assess both the extent of plastic particle exposure and potential hazards during these critical developmental windows. The study represents an important step toward understanding whether early-life plastic exposure poses risks to mothers and their children.

Toward the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System

Researchers proposed a framework for an integrated marine debris observing system that would combine remote sensing, in situ measurements, and computer modeling to monitor plastic pollution globally. The study outlines how optical sensors, satellite imagery, and citizen science programs could work together to track debris sources, pathways, and accumulation patterns. The system aims to support policy decisions and operational cleanup efforts by providing reliable long-term data on the state of ocean plastic pollution.

Occurrence and backtracking of microplastic mass loads including tire wear particles in northern Atlantic air

Scientists measured airborne microplastic concentrations, including tire wear particles, in the atmosphere over the Norwegian coast and Arctic waters using specialized air sampling devices. They detected microplastics even in remote Arctic locations, with tire wear particles being the most abundant type found. Atmospheric transport modeling suggested these particles enter the marine atmosphere from both land and sea sources, indicating that airborne transport is a significant pathway for microplastic pollution reaching remote ocean regions.

Analysis of microplastics in the fjords of Tunu (East Greenland)

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the fjords of East Greenland, an area with very limited prior data on Arctic plastic pollution. They found microplastic concentrations ranging from 1 to 12 particles per liter, with the highest levels near the settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was overwhelmingly the dominant polymer type, accounting for an average of 96% of all particles detected.

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) in urban air: polymer composition, interactions and inhalation risk

Researchers characterized airborne micro- and nanoplastics in urban air using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry on size-fractionated aerosol samples. The study found total concentrations averaging 0.6 micrograms per cubic meter, with tire wear particles as a dominant source, highlighting an underestimated threat to urban air quality and human respiratory health.

High microplastic pollution in birds of urban waterbodies revealed by non-invasively collected faecal samples

Researchers analyzed bird droppings from urban freshwater habitats in Germany and found microplastic particles, mainly fibers, in 98% of samples across all species studied. The pollution levels were substantially higher than those reported in other freshwater bird studies, likely reflecting the heavy contamination of urban waterways. Since all the investigated species are at least partially migratory, the findings suggest birds may transport microplastics over long distances.

Plastic and natural inorganic microparticles do not differ in their effects on adult mussels (Mytilidae) from different geographic regions

Researchers compared the effects of plastic microparticles and natural inorganic particles on mussels from five geographic regions, finding no significant differences between particle types, suggesting that physical particle stress rather than plastic-specific chemistry drives observed effects.

Microplastic Mass Concentrations and Distribution in German Bight Waters by Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry/Thermochemolysis Reveal Potential Impact of Marine Coatings: Do Ships Leave Skid Marks?

A mass-based Py-GC/MS survey of microplastics in the German Bight (North Sea) found highly variable concentrations (2–1396 µg/m³) influenced by oceanographic conditions, with coastal samples showing packaging waste signatures and central areas revealing an unexpected signal consistent with marine antifouling paint.

Unraveling the Marine Microplastic Cycle: The First Simultaneous Data Set for Air, Sea Surface Microlayer, and Underlying Water

Researchers simultaneously sampled air, the sea surface microlayer, and underlying water in Swedish fjords to map microplastic distribution across the marine-atmospheric boundary for the first time. They found tire wear particles predominantly in the surface microlayer, while poly(methyl methacrylate) clusters dominated deeper water. The study shows that microplastic levels were higher in urban and industrial fjord areas compared to rural ones, and that polymer distribution patterns are influenced by both particle characteristics and environmental conditions.

Simultaneous Trace Identification and Quantification of Common Types of Microplastics in Environmental Samples by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method for simultaneous trace identification and quantification of common microplastic types in environmental samples, improving detection efficiency and enabling more accurate monitoring of multiple plastic polymers at once.