Papers

Microplastics: Occurrences, treatment methods, regulations and foreseen environmental impacts

This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution, covering where these particles are found, how they are treated and regulated, and what environmental impacts are anticipated. Researchers found that current wastewater treatment methods are often insufficient to fully remove microplastics, and regulatory frameworks remain inconsistent across countries. The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved treatment technologies and coordinated global policies to address this growing environmental challenge.

Recycled Plastics in Asphalt Mixtures: A Systematic Review of Mechanical Performance, Environmental Impact and Practical Implementation

This systematic review evaluates using recycled plastics in road asphalt as a way to reduce plastic waste. The research found that incorporating recycled plastic can actually improve road durability while diverting waste from landfills. This approach matters for microplastic reduction because it locks plastic into road surfaces rather than allowing it to break down freely in the environment.

A review on the synergistic efficacy of sonication-assisted water treatment process with special attention given to microplastics

Microplastic concentrations in cultured oysters in two seasons from two bays of Baja California, Mexico

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in cultured Pacific oysters from two bays in Baja California, Mexico, across winter and summer seasons. Microfibers were the most abundant particle type found in all samples, with higher concentrations observed during winter. The study suggests that seasonal and spatial factors influence microplastic accumulation in farmed shellfish, which is relevant given that oysters are consumed whole by humans.

Magnetic polymeric composites: potential for separating and degrading micro/nano plastics

Researchers reviewed how magnetic composite materials can be used to attract, capture, and chemically break down microplastics and nanoplastics in wastewater, finding that combining magnetic separation with advanced oxidation or photocatalysis offers one of the most promising approaches for removing these persistent plastic pollutants from water.

Harvesting the benefits of nutritional research to address global challenges in the 21st century

Researchers reviewed progress in aquaculture nutrition over the past 20 years, highlighting improvements in feed conversion efficiency and the expanded use of diverse feed ingredients. The study identifies ongoing challenges including the need for better understanding of nutrient requirements across aquaculture species and the importance of addressing global food security through continued nutritional research.

Hydrogels Classification According to the Physical or Chemical Interactions and as Stimuli-Sensitive Materials

This review classifies hydrogels based on their internal cross-linking mechanisms and their responsiveness to external stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, and enzymes. Researchers examined both physically cross-linked hydrogels, which form through reversible interactions, and chemically cross-linked hydrogels with permanent covalent bonds. The study highlights diverse biomedical applications including drug delivery, tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, and actuators.

Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios

Researchers compared microplastic interactions with fin whale populations in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez. The study found considerable microplastic abundance in surface water samples from both regions, suggesting that baleen whales that feed by filtering large volumes of seawater face significant exposure to microplastic contamination.

ZnO Semiconductor Nanoparticles and Their Application in Photocatalytic Degradation of Various Organic Dyes

Researchers synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using a green method with pepper plant extract and tested their ability to break down organic dyes in water under UV light. The nanoparticles achieved 100% elimination of methylene blue within 60 minutes and high degradation rates for other common dyes. The study demonstrates a sustainable approach to photocatalytic water treatment for removing organic pollutants.

A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches

Researchers coordinated a global sampling effort across 209 marine turtle nesting beaches in six ocean basins to assess microplastic contamination in beach sediments. They found microplastics present on 45% of beaches, with the Mediterranean showing the highest contamination rate at 80%. The study provides an open-access dataset to support ongoing monitoring of plastic pollution in critical nesting habitats.

Assessment of Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats after Chronic Exposure to Phosphate-Processing Wastewaters from Gafsa-Metlaoui Laundry in Tunisia

Researchers assessed liver toxicity in rats chronically exposed to phosphate-processing wastewaters from a mining region in Tunisia. The study found elevated levels of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and chromium in the wastewater, and demonstrated that chronic exposure led to significant liver damage, highlighting the health risks posed by uncontrolled discharge of industrial mining effluents.

First report of plastic contamination in batoids: Plastic ingestion by Haller's Round Ray (Urobatis halleri) in the Gulf of California

Researchers reported the first evidence of plastic contamination in batoids, documenting microplastic ingestion by Haller's Round Ray in the Gulf of California along with microplastic presence in bottom sediments of the region.

Mechanically Flexible, Large-Area Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Dendritic Au Films for Reproducible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection of Nanoplastics

Researchers developed flexible three-dimensional dendritic gold film substrates for detecting nanoplastics in water and food using surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The substrates demonstrated high reproducibility and stability, enabling sensitive detection of trace amounts of nanoplastic particles. The technology offers a promising new tool for monitoring nanoplastic contamination in environmental and food safety applications.

Honey Bees as Bioindicators of Air Pollution: A Narrative Review on Human Health Implications

This review explores the use of honey bees as bioindicators of air pollution, including airborne microplastics, within a One Health framework. Researchers found that bees accumulate environmental contaminants during foraging, making them effective biological monitors for tracking air quality and pollution exposure relevant to both ecosystem and human health.

A Synthesis of Provision and Impact in Seagrass Ecosystem Services in the Brazilian Southwest Atlantic

This synthesis reviewed seagrass ecosystem services along the Brazilian southwest Atlantic coast, screening over 30,000 search results to identify 394 relevant studies. The study found that while seagrasses provide crucial provisioning and supporting services including fisheries support and coastal protection, coastal urbanization and marine food harvesting are the primary drivers negatively impacting these ecosystems.

Potential human consumption risks from microplastics and non-synthetic microfibers in cultured oysters from a low-human-impact lagoon

3D Printer Waste Nanoparticles and Their Internalization in Human Colorectal Cells (HCT15), as in Vitro Cell Model of Nanoplastics Absorption

Marine debris in river margins: wet and dry weathering effects on the fragmentation and degradation of discarded plastic

Researchers evaluated how extended wet and dry weathering affects the fragmentation and degradation of common land-based debris items found in riparian zones—including cigarette filters, plastic bags, food containers, and medical masks. All materials fragmented into microplastics under both weathering regimes, with dry weathering often more effective at generating secondary microplastic particles, confirming riverbanks as significant microplastic generation zones.

Microplastics in the sediments of the Tijuana River Basin, Mexico

Crosslinked Chitosan Films Supplemented with Randia sp. Fruit Extract

Researchers developed chitosan films crosslinked with itaconic acid and supplemented with Randia capitata fruit extract, characterizing their mechanical and antimicrobial properties as a potential biodegradable healthcare material.

Sorption of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Microplastics

Laboratory and field tests of petroleum hydrocarbon sorption onto six types of microplastics found LDPE had the highest fuel oil sorption capacity, with field samples from Gulf of Mexico beaches showing 1660 to 35,258 mg TPH per kg microplastic, suggesting microplastics serve as significant hydrocarbon carriers.

Microplastics on sandy beaches of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Microplastics were found on all 21 sandy beach sites surveyed along the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, with pellets and fragments as the dominant types and higher concentrations near urban areas. The study provides baseline data on microplastic contamination along a lengthy stretch of Mexican Pacific coastline largely lacking previous environmental monitoring.

Microplastics in stormwater runoff in a semiarid region, Tijuana, Mexico

Microplastic pollution was documented in stormwater runoff in Tijuana, Mexico, a semi-arid border region, with concentrations reflecting both local land use patterns and proximity to the Pacific coast. The study highlights that microplastic-laden stormwater from urban areas in developing regions is a significant but understudied pathway to ocean pollution.

Clearance rates of sand-burrowed and laterally pressed unburrowed Pismo clam <i>Tivela stultorum</i> (Mawe 1823) in a laboratory open-flow system

Researchers studied the clearance rates of Pismo clams under sand-burrowed and free-standing conditions in a laboratory flow system, providing basic husbandry data to support conservation and aquaculture efforts for this protected species in Mexico.