Papers

Health benefits and health risks of contaminated fish consumption: Current research outputs, research approaches, and perspectives

This review examines the health tradeoffs of eating fish, which provides valuable omega-3 fatty acids and protein but can also contain harmful contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and plastic waste. The authors found that contaminated fish consumption is linked to cancer, kidney damage, and neurological effects, particularly in vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children.

Microbial Biofungicides as a Substitute for Chemical Fungicides in the Control of Phytopathogens: Current Perspectives and Research Directions

This review discusses how microbial biofungicides -- natural organisms used to fight crop diseases -- could replace synthetic chemical fungicides that have known harmful side effects on human health and the environment. Researchers suggest combining smaller doses of chemical fungicides with biological alternatives as a practical step toward safer agriculture and reduced chemical contamination of food.

Paint particle pollution in aquatic environments: Current advances and analytical challenges

This review highlights paint particles as an overlooked but significant source of microplastic pollution in water environments, originating from marine vessels, buildings, and industrial activities. Paint particles carry toxic chemicals including heavy metals and biocides that can leach into water and accumulate in marine organisms, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health through seafood consumption.

Plastic waste management strategies toward zero waste: Status, perspectives and recommendations for Ethiopia

This review assesses Ethiopia's plastic waste crisis, finding that excessive plastic use has worsened environmental pollution, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health impacts. The study recommends strategies including banning single-use plastics, improving recycling infrastructure, and developing biodegradable alternatives. While focused on Ethiopia, the findings illustrate how developing countries face growing microplastic pollution from inadequate waste management systems.

Surgical face masks as a potential source for microplastic pollution in the COVID-19 scenario

Researchers investigated how disposable surgical face masks, widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, could become a significant new source of microplastic pollution. The study notes that masks made of polymeric materials can release microplastic fibers into aquatic environments where they may be ingested by fish and other organisms. The findings suggest that face mask waste deserves focused attention as a microplastic source, including better waste management systems.

What we need to know about PPE associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the marine environment

This review discusses how the surge in plastic-based personal protective equipment use during the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to marine plastic pollution. Researchers identified key research gaps regarding the occurrence, degradation, and ecological effects of PPE-derived plastics in ocean environments. The study proposes five priority research areas to better understand and mitigate the environmental impact of pandemic-related plastic waste.

Effects of operating conditions on removal of microplastics (PET, PP, PS) from wastewater by electrocoagulation systems and kinetics of chromium removal in the presence of microplastics

Abundance and Characterization of Microplastics in Main Urban Ditches Across the Bahir Dar City, Ethiopia

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in urban ditches across Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, examining both sediment and sewage water samples. They found 239 microplastic particles, with the majority being small transparent fragments under 0.5 mm, and identified polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, polystyrene, polyamide, and PVC as the most common polymer types. The study establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in East African urban waterways.

The future of sub-Saharan Africa’s biodiversity in the face of climate and societal change

This review assesses the conservation threats facing sub-Saharan Africa's biodiversity in the context of projected population growth, economic expansion, and climate change. Researchers highlight how environmental pollution, including emerging contaminants like microplastics, compounds existing threats to the continent's ecosystems.

Could Nanotechnology Help to End the Fight Against COVID-19? Review of Current Findings, Challenges and Future Perspectives

This review assessed the potential role of nanotechnology in combating COVID-19, covering nano-enabled diagnostics, drug delivery systems, and vaccines, while noting that most applications were still in early development stages and faced significant regulatory and safety challenges.

Microplastics in ASEAN region countries: A review on current status and perspectives

This review assessed microplastic research across ASEAN countries, finding that despite contributing heavily to ocean plastic waste, the region accounts for only about 5% of global microplastic studies, with major gaps in human health research.

Wastewater treatment plant performance assessment using time-function-based effluent quality index and multiple regression models: the case of Bahir Dar textile factory

Researchers evaluated the performance of a textile factory's wastewater treatment plant in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, finding that effluent levels for multiple parameters exceeded acceptable discharge limits. They developed multiple regression models to assess pollution loads, estimating the plant discharged between 493 and 655 kilograms of pollutants per day into a nearby river. The study highlights the need for improved operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems in the textile industry.

Sustainable management of drinking plastic straws is required to reduce plastic pollution: Are we using them more during COVID-19?

Researchers examined sustainable management approaches for single-use plastic drinking straws, finding that COVID-19 pandemic conditions increased plastic straw consumption alongside other pandemic-related plastic waste, underscoring the need for improved waste management policies.

Plastic and paint debris in marine protected areas of Peru

Researchers investigated microplastics, mesoplastics, and paint particles across multiple environmental compartments in two marine protected areas of Peru, revealing that even protected marine environments are contaminated with anthropogenic debris.

Recycling of Plastics as a Strategy to Reduce Life Cycle GHG Emission, Microplastics and Resource Depletion

This study quantified the environmental benefits of recycling widely consumed plastic polymers, demonstrating that increased plastic recycling significantly reduces life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, microplastic pollution, and resource depletion.

Current plastics pollution threats due to COVID-19 and its possible mitigation techniques: a waste-to-energy conversion via Pyrolysis

Researchers reviewed how the COVID-19 pandemic generated massive amounts of plastic medical waste — including masks and gloves — and found that pyrolysis (heating plastic without oxygen) can convert this waste into usable oil, reducing plastic pollution. This waste-to-energy approach offers a practical path for managing the surge of single-use medical plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills or the environment as microplastics.

Exploring biopolymer degradation: Environmental effects and future insights

This review examines how biopolymers degrade in the environment and evaluates their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. While biopolymers offer environmental benefits like reduced pollution, the study notes challenges including slower-than-expected degradation in natural settings, potential microplastic generation, and the need for better standardized testing and supportive policies.

Wastewater treatment plant effluent and microfiber pollution: focus on industry-specific wastewater

Researchers examined microfiber pollution from wastewater treatment plant effluent, finding that industry-specific wastewater from textile operations released significantly higher concentrations of synthetic microfibers compared to municipal sources.

Extraction and characterization of natural fibre from Ethiopian <i>Typha latifolia</i> leaf plant

Natural fibers were extracted from Ethiopian Typha latifolia leaves using manual, water-retting, and chemical methods, with characterization showing high cellulose content and properties suitable for use as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers in composite materials.

Occurrence of microplastics in water and sediment of a highly urbanized lake ecosystem in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Researchers sampled water and sediment from an urbanized lake in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and found microplastics predominantly consisting of polyethylene followed by PET, with small fragments and transparent particles most common. This study provides baseline data on freshwater microplastic pollution in an understudied East African ecosystem.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution driven by the COVID-19 pandemic along the shoreline of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Personal protective equipment including masks and gloves was monitored along the shoreline of Lake Tana in Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic, with substantial quantities of PPE waste documented accumulating along the freshwater shoreline. The study highlights that pandemic-driven plastic pollution is not limited to marine environments but also affects major African freshwater lakes.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl pollution in marine environments: a viewpoint about Africa

This viewpoint paper examines per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) pollution in African marine environments, highlighting a critical data gap and calling for targeted monitoring of these persistent contaminants across the continent.

Author comment: Plastic waste management strategies toward zero waste: Status, perspectives and recommendations for Ethiopia — R2/PR11

This author comment accompanies a review of plastic waste management strategies in Ethiopia, reinforcing recommendations for national bans on single-use plastics, circular economy investment, and adoption of international best practices toward zero waste.

A critical review on clay-based nanocomposite particles for application of wastewater treatment

This review evaluates clay-based nanocomposite materials including clay-metal, clay-polymer, and clay-carbon composites as adsorbents for removing various pollutants from water and wastewater. Clay nanocomposites offer high surface area, thermal stability, and selectivity, and are identified as more cost-effective than conventional treatment methods.