Papers

Exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces sociality and brain oxytocin levels through the gut-brain axis in mice

Adolescent mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 10 weeks showed reduced social behavior and lower levels of oxytocin -- a hormone important for social bonding -- in a key brain region. The microplastics damaged the gut lining and altered gut bacteria, and when researchers blocked the nerve connection between the gut and brain, the social behavior problems improved. This provides strong evidence that microplastics can affect brain function and social behavior through the gut-brain axis.

Global face mask pollution: threats to the environment and wildlife, and potential solutions

Researchers reviewed the global face mask pollution crisis following COVID-19, estimating massive production volumes and finding that most disposal pathways generate secondary microplastic pollution or toxic emissions, and proposing countermeasures including biodegradable mask development and improved waste management policy.

Polystyrene exposure induces lamb gastrointestinal injury, digestive disorders and inflammation, decreasing daily gain, and meat quality

Lambs fed polystyrene microplastics daily for 60 days showed reduced growth, severe intestinal damage, liver and kidney swelling, and lower meat quality compared to unexposed animals. The microplastics disrupted digestion, triggered oxidative stress, and altered gut bacteria composition, with mid-sized particles (50-100 micrometers) causing the worst damage -- demonstrating direct health consequences of microplastic ingestion in livestock that could affect the food supply.

Toxicity of Ammonia Stress on the Physiological Homeostasis in the Gills of Litopenaeus vannamei under Seawater and Low-Salinity Conditions

This study examined how ammonia stress damages the gills of Pacific white shrimp raised in both seawater and low-salinity conditions. While not directly about microplastics, the findings are relevant because microplastics in aquaculture water can worsen ammonia toxicity, and the gill damage observed -- including disrupted ion balance and immune function -- highlights how environmental stressors compound threats to seafood safety.

Nanoplastic toxicity induces metabolic shifts in Populus × euramericana cv. '74/76' revealed by multi-omics analysis

Researchers used transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling to show that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in poplar tree roots, penetrate chloroplasts in leaves causing photosynthesis disruption, and trigger a metabolic shift from normal growth to defensive flavonoid production under severe exposure conditions.

Effects of cattle manure and sludge vermicompost on nutrient dynamics and yield in strawberry cultivation with distinct continuous cropping histories in a greenhouse

This study compared using composted cattle manure versus sewage sludge compost to improve strawberry growth in greenhouse conditions. While not about microplastics directly, sewage sludge is a known source of microplastic contamination in agricultural soil. The study showed cattle manure compost produced better results for fruit quality and yield, offering a potential alternative that could reduce microplastic inputs to farmland.

Coupling polyethylene microplastics with other pollutants: Exploring their combined effects on plant health and technologies for mitigating toxicity

This review summarizes how polyethylene microplastics interact with other common soil pollutants like heavy metals and antibiotics in agricultural fields. Microplastics can absorb these pollutants and carry them into plants, making the combined exposure more harmful than either pollutant alone. The findings raise concerns about the safety of crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil.

Evidence for the transportation of aggregated microplastics in the symplast pathway of oilseed rape roots and their impact on plant growth

Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics are absorbed by oilseed rape roots not as individual particles but as clumps, and they travel through the plant's living cell network into the root vascular system. The microplastics caused oxidative stress that affected photosynthesis and plant growth, though the plants activated defense mechanisms to partially cope. This study shows how microplastics can enter food crops through the roots, potentially introducing plastic particles into the food supply.

Toxicity effects and mechanism of micro/nanoplastics and loaded conventional pollutants on zooplankton: An overview

This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics harm zooplankton, the tiny animals at the base of aquatic food chains, through physical blockage, oxidative stress, gene disruption, and reproductive damage. The effects are worse when microplastics carry other pollutants like heavy metals or pesticides on their surfaces. Since zooplankton are eaten by fish that humans consume, damage to these organisms can transfer microplastic contamination up the food chain to people.

Release of microplastics from breastmilk storage bags and assessment of intake by infants: A preliminary study

Researchers tested six commercially available breastmilk storage bags and found they released large numbers of microplastic and submicron particles during simulated normal use. The particles were identified as plastics using spectroscopy analysis, raising questions about infant exposure through stored breastmilk. The study suggests that single-use plastic baby food packaging may be an overlooked source of microplastic ingestion for infants.

What have we known so far for fluorescence staining and quantification of microplastics: A tutorial review

This tutorial review summarizes methods for staining and counting microplastics using fluorescent dyes, covering the full workflow from sample collection to quantification. Researchers evaluated which dyes and procedures work best for different types of plastic polymers and environmental samples. The study provides practical guidance for researchers looking for faster and more accessible ways to measure microplastic contamination.

Enhanced adsorption and cytotoxicity of hydrothermally aged microplastics for volatile organic compounds in sludge

Risks of microplastics on germination and growth of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) depending on the type, concentration, and particle size

Researchers tested how different types, concentrations, and sizes of microplastics affect pepper seed germination and seedling growth. They found that most microplastic treatments inhibited germination and that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles were generally the most harmful to seedling development. The study also revealed that larger microplastic particles tended to cause more oxidative stress in the plants, suggesting particle size plays an important role in toxicity.

Dopamine alleviates cadmium stress in apple trees by recruiting beneficial microorganisms to enhance the physiological resilience revealed by high-throughput sequencing and soil metabolomics

Researchers found that applying dopamine to soil helped apple trees resist cadmium toxicity by reducing the accumulation of the heavy metal and harmful reactive oxygen species in the plants. The dopamine treatment also reshaped the soil microbial community, recruiting beneficial bacteria that further enhanced the trees' stress tolerance. The study suggests dopamine could serve as a practical tool for improving crop resilience in soils contaminated with heavy metals.

ROS-mediated photoaging pathways of nano- and micro-plastic particles under UV irradiation

Researchers investigated the role of reactive oxygen species in the photoaging of nano- and micro-plastic particles under UV irradiation. The study found that bare polystyrene nanoparticles generated hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen, while surface coatings and larger particle sizes reduced ROS generation. The findings help explain the mechanisms by which UV exposure breaks down plastic particles in aquatic environments.

Transport and transformation of microplastics and nanoplastics in the soil environment: A critical review

This critical review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics move through and transform within soil environments. Researchers discuss aggregation, sorption of contaminants, interactions with soil organisms, and degradation pathways that affect the fate of plastic particles in terrestrial systems. The study identifies major knowledge gaps in understanding subsurface plastic transport and calls for standardized methods to better assess the ecological and health risks of soil plastic pollution.

Black Lycium barbarum polysaccharide attenuates LPS-induced intestine damage via regulation gut microbiota

Researchers studied whether a polysaccharide from black Lycium barbarum could protect against intestinal damage caused by bacterial toxins in mice. They found that the supplement alleviated intestinal tissue damage and improved gut microbiota diversity by promoting beneficial bacteria. The study suggests that this plant-derived polysaccharide may help maintain intestinal health by modulating the gut microbial community.

Designing MOFs/CuCo-LDHs hybrid-based superhydrophobic sponge for speedy eliminating microplastics, dyes, and oils from high-salinity water

Adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater commercial fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Emphasis on physiological response and intestinal microbiome

Researchers exposed grass carp to different sizes and concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for up to 14 days, followed by a depuration period, and assessed physiological and intestinal microbiome effects. The study found that microplastics caused histological damage, oxidative stress, and shifts in gut microbial communities, with smaller particles and higher concentrations producing more severe effects.

The effects of diverse microplastics on adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) growth and physiologic properties

Researchers tested the effects of three types of microplastics at different concentrations on adzuki bean growth and found that all types caused some damage, with biodegradable polylactic acid having the strongest negative impact on plant biomass. Higher microplastic concentrations significantly reduced chlorophyll content and triggered antioxidant stress responses. The study suggests that even supposedly eco-friendly biodegradable plastics can harm crop plants when they accumulate in soil.

Polyvinyl chloride degradation by a bacterium isolated from the gut of insect larvae

Researchers isolated a PVC-degrading bacterium (Klebsiella sp. EMBL-1) from the gut of Spodoptera frugiperda insect larvae that had survived feeding on PVC film. Using genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses, the study identified genes and proteins potentially involved in PVC depolymerization, offering new insights into biological plastic degradation pathways.

Impact of progressively cumulative exposure of AgNPs on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and implication for eco-toxicological risk assessment

Researchers compared earthworm responses to silver nanoparticles delivered either all at once or progressively increasing doses over 28 days, finding that gradual exposure caused less tissue damage, lower bioaccumulation, and activated more detoxification pathways — suggesting that standard one-step laboratory toxicity tests may overestimate real-world ecological risk.

Effects of microplastics derived from biodegradable mulch film on different plant species growth and soil properties

Researchers studied how microplastics from biodegradable mulch film affect the growth of five different crop species in soil. They found that cabbages and strawberries were most sensitive, with reduced growth at higher microplastic concentrations, while other crops showed little effect. The findings suggest that even biodegradable plastics can break down into microplastics that may harm certain agricultural crops.

A Review of Seagrass Bed Pollution

This review summarizes the major threats facing seagrass ecosystems worldwide, including pollution from microplastics, heavy metals, and nutrient runoff from human activities. Researchers highlight how seagrass beds, which are critical habitats for marine biodiversity, are declining at an accelerating rate due to these combined stressors. The study identifies key research gaps and proposes future directions for understanding and protecting these vulnerable coastal ecosystems.