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Papers
33 resultsShowing papers from Cawthron Institute
ClearEffects of pristine microplastics and nanoplastics on soil invertebrates: A systematic review and meta-analysis of available data
About 49% of 1,061 biological endpoints were significantly affected by pristine micro- and nanoplastics across 56 studies on soil invertebrates, with polymers containing chloro and phenyl groups causing the most harm; concentrations above 1 g/kg in soil decreased earthworm growth and survival.
Differential responses of selectively bred mussels (Perna canaliculus) to heat stress—survival, immunology, gene expression and microbiome diversity
This study examined how selectively bred green-lipped mussels respond to heat stress, finding that genetic background significantly influenced survival rates, immune responses, and gene expression during heat challenges. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because environmental stressors like microplastic pollution can compound heat stress effects on shellfish. Understanding how marine organisms cope with stress helps predict how additional pressures from plastic pollution might affect seafood species.
An investigation into the stability and degradation of plastics in aquatic environments using a large-scale field-deployment study
Scientists deployed five types of plastic at marine sites and a wastewater treatment plant in New Zealand for up to 12 months to study how they break down in real conditions. The plastics degraded much more slowly in the natural environment than under artificial UV exposure in the lab, with most showing only minor surface changes. This means lab studies may overestimate how quickly plastics fragment into microplastics, and the long persistence of intact plastics in nature presents an ongoing pollution challenge.
Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives
Researchers surveyed United Nations delegates involved in developing the Global Plastics Treaty to understand how human health evidence is being considered in policy decisions. They found that most delegates support health-based measures and see scientific evidence as essential, but face challenges translating research into actionable policy. The study underscores the importance of making health research accessible and relevant to policymakers working on international plastic pollution agreements.
One Health on islands: Tractable ecosystems to explore the nexus between human, animal, terrestrial, and marine health
This study proposes that islands serve as ideal natural laboratories for exploring the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health under the One Health framework. Researchers argue that islands' discrete populations and well-studied ecosystems make them uniquely suited for understanding how contaminants like microplastics move through interconnected terrestrial and marine environments. The study highlights the potential for island-based research to untangle complex health relationships across biomes.
Characterization of the transcriptional effects of the plastic additive dibutyl phthalate alone and in combination with microplastic on the green-lipped mussel <i>Perna canaliculus</i>
Researchers studied how dibutyl phthalate, a common plastic additive, affects gene expression in green-lipped mussels both alone and in combination with microplastics. They found that the chemical additive altered transcriptional pathways related to stress response and metabolism, and that co-exposure with microplastics modified these effects. The study highlights that the chemical additives leaching from plastics may pose distinct biological risks to marine organisms beyond the particles themselves.
Disentangling the influence of microplastics and their chemical additives on a model detritivore system
Researchers disentangled the physical and chemical effects of microplastics on freshwater detritivores, finding that chemical additives leaching from plastics contributed more to negative impacts on organisms than the polymer particles themselves.
Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR9
Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.
Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR8
Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.
Decision: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR5
A survey of UN government delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty found broad recognition of mounting health risks from plastics, with delegates prioritizing pollution mitigation strategies and identifying key gaps in human health research needed to inform strong treaty language.
Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR3
A survey of UN government delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty found that most recognized escalating human health risks from plastic pollution across its lifecycle, and the study provides evidence-based recommendations for integrating health evidence into high-ambition treaty language.
Decision: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR10
Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.
Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR2
This survey of UN delegates engaged in Global Plastics Treaty negotiations found widespread recognition of plastics' lifecycle health risks and broad support for incorporating robust human health evidence into treaty text, with delegates identifying specific research priorities needed to fill current knowledge gaps.
Regulating chemicals globally is key to a successful plastics treaty
This review argued that a successful global plastics treaty must regulate the more than 16,000 chemicals used across the plastic life cycle, not just the plastics themselves, as thousands of these chemicals meet criteria for persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity yet remain largely unregulated.
Recommendation: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R0/PR4
A survey of UN delegates working on the Global Plastics Treaty found that policymakers broadly prioritize human health evidence but differ on preferred mitigation strategies, with the study offering recommendations for streamlining research to better inform treaty negotiations.
Review: Human health evidence in the global treaty to end plastic pollution: a survey of policy perspectives — R1/PR7
Researchers surveyed 27 UN delegates developing the Global Plastics Treaty about their views on human health evidence, preferred mitigation strategies, and research priorities. Human health was the top-ranked concern, reducing plastics production and eliminating harmful chemicals were the top mitigation strategies, and recycling was considered the least protective approach for health.
The role of emerging organic contaminants in the development of antimicrobial resistance
Researchers reviewed how emerging organic contaminants — including plastics, pharmaceuticals, and biocides found throughout the environment — can promote the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in microbes. The study argues that tackling antimicrobial resistance requires addressing not just antibiotic overuse but also the broader chemical pollution that shapes microbial communities.
Into the Plastisphere, Where Only the Generalists Thrive: Early Insights in Plastisphere Microbial Community Succession
Researchers tracked prokaryotic and fungal biofilm succession on polyethylene, nylon, and glass panels immersed in a New Zealand harbor for 2, 6, and 12 weeks, finding that microbial communities differed significantly from surrounding seawater regardless of substrate type. No substrate-specific communities were identified, suggesting microorganisms colonize plastics as attachment surfaces rather than for direct metabolic benefit from the plastic polymer.
Towards more ecologically relevant investigations of the impacts of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems
This review argues that microplastic research in freshwater ecosystems lacks ecological realism, calling for studies that account for realistic exposure concentrations, particle mixtures, and multi-species interactions rather than single-species laboratory tests.
Addressing Microplastic Pollution via the Global Plastic Treaty
This paper discusses the role of the global plastic treaty in addressing microplastic pollution, evaluating policy mechanisms, international governance challenges, and the scientific evidence needed to support binding reduction targets.
An Evaluation Framework for “Provenancing” to Enhance Te Tiriti o Waitangi Responsiveness in Environmental Science Research
This paper describes a Maori-centered evaluation framework ('TREF') developed for the New Zealand government-funded AIM2 microplastics research project, centered on the concept of 'provenancing' — tracking where environmental samples come from and building lasting relationships with Indigenous communities whose lands are sampled. The framework offers a model for how microplastic research can be conducted in ways that are responsive to Indigenous rights and values under the Treaty of Waitangi. It matters because community trust and culturally appropriate research design are increasingly recognized as essential to environmental science that affects Indigenous territories.
Towards Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for the Australasian Region of Oceania
This review identifies priority environmental quality research questions for the Australasian and Oceania region, highlighting threats to unique ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef from multiple stressors including microplastics, climate change, and chemical contamination.
System effects mapping: a tool for promoting collaborative community ecological action
This paper is not about microplastics — it describes a participatory action research method called System Effects Mapping used to build shared understanding among community stakeholders around urban waterway pollution.
Transdisciplinary science and the importance of Indigenous knowledge
This paper is not directly about microplastics — it is a conceptual article arguing that transdisciplinary science and Indigenous knowledge partnerships are essential for achieving transformational environmental sustainability outcomes, using pollution as one example of complex challenges requiring such approaches.