Papers

Temporal evolution of plastic additive contents over the last decades in two major European rivers (Rhone and Rhine) from sediment cores analyses

Researchers analyzed sediment cores from the Rhone and Rhine rivers to track how plastic chemical additives have accumulated in freshwater sediments over recent decades. The study found increasing concentrations of phthalates and organophosphate esters over time, providing a historical record of plastic-related chemical pollution in two of Europe's most important river systems.

Microplastic leachates inhibit small-scale self-organization in mussel beds

Researchers found that chemical leachates from plastic pellets collected in the intertidal zone disrupted the ability of mussels to form self-organized spatial patterns and produce byssal threads. The study suggests that plastic pollution may undermine the natural self-organization processes that help mussel beds maintain ecosystem resilience, representing a previously unrecognized threat to intertidal habitat stability.

Intraspecific genetic lineages of a marine mussel show behavioural divergence when exposed to microplastic leachates

Researchers investigated how microplastic leachates affect two genetic lineages of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and found that the lineages responded differently. Atlantic specimens moved significantly less than Mediterranean individuals when exposed to leachates from beached microplastics, while no differences were observed with virgin plastic leachates. The study demonstrates that intraspecific genetic diversity can influence how organisms respond to plastic pollution, a factor often overlooked in toxicology research.

The Neglected Role of Intraspecific Variation in Plastic Pollution Research

Researchers argued that plastic pollution research has neglected intraspecific variation (genetic and phenotypic diversity within species), warning that this oversight may lead to underestimation of plastic impacts on biodiversity and less effective management strategies.

Effects of Aluminium Contamination on the Nervous System of Freshwater Aquatic Vertebrates: A Review

This review compiled scientific evidence on how aluminium contamination affects the nervous system of freshwater aquatic vertebrates, finding that aluminium is neurotoxic, accumulates in neural tissue, causes oxidative stress, and disrupts acetylcholinesterase activity and neurotransmitter levels.

Transport of microplastic debris in estuaries

The effect of the mineral matrix during thermal analysis of polymers: Implications for microplastics characterization

Researchers tested how mineral particles in natural sediments — like clays and iron oxides — interfere with a thermal analysis method (Rock-Eval) used to identify and measure microplastics, finding that minerals can speed up, slow down, or fractionate polymer breakdown. Despite these distortions, plastic quantities can still be accurately measured, validating the method for real-world sediment samples.

Intraspecific variations in oyster (Magallana gigas) ploidy does not affect physiological responses to microplastic pollution

Researchers compared diploid and triploid Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas) for their physiological responses to microplastic pollution, finding that ploidy does not affect ingestion rates or heart rate response, but that microplastic leachates significantly impaired heart rate regardless of genetic variation.

Biochemical basis of resistance to multiple contaminations in the native and invasive populations of Dreissena polymorpha

This study compared native and invasive populations of the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha in their biochemical tolerance to multiple simultaneous stressors including microplastics, examining how antioxidant and detoxification mechanisms differ between populations.

Evaluating settling velocities of microplastics-sediment mixtures under laboratory conditions 

This laboratory study investigated how microplastics behave when mixed with natural sediment particles and allowed to settle in water, finding that the combined aggregates settle at different rates than either material alone. Smaller microplastics were particularly prone to forming flocs with sediment, which can accelerate their sinking and burial in riverbeds and lake bottoms. Understanding these settling dynamics is important for predicting where microplastics accumulate in aquatic environments and how they interact with the food chain.

A Standardized Morpho-Functional Classification of the Planet’s Humipedons

Researchers updated and expanded a standardized morpho-functional classification system for humipedons (topsoil organic layers), translating it into multiple languages to enable consistent global comparisons of soil ecosystem function and structure, which has implications for understanding how soils interact with environmental pollutants.

The effect of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic ingestion in two co-occurring mussel species in South Africa

A comparison of two mussel species coexisting on South African shores found that Mytilus galloprovincialis contained more than three times the microplastic load of Perna perna, with microbeads and polyethylene dominant in both species. Importantly, the two genetic lineages of P. perna did not differ in their microplastic uptake, suggesting that species identity — likely linked to differences in feeding behavior or physiology — matters more than genetic variation within a species for predicting seafood microplastic contamination.

Transcriptome wide analyses reveal intraspecific diversity in thermal stress responses of a dominant habitat‐forming species

Researchers examined transcriptome-wide diversity in how coral species respond to thermal stress, revealing intraspecific genetic variation that may influence resilience to warming oceans. The findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity within coral populations for predicting reef responses to climate change.

Detection of Adsorbed Chlordecone on Microplastics in Marine Sediments in Guadeloupe: A Preliminary Study

Researchers conducted a preliminary study detecting the organochlorine pesticide chlordecone adsorbed onto microplastics in marine sediments from Guadeloupe, where the pesticide was heavily used in banana cultivation from 1972 to 1993. The study found that microplastics in contaminated sediments can carry legacy pollutants, potentially increasing their bioavailability to marine organisms.

Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Biodegradable, PLA-Based Exfoliant Microbeads via Droplet Microfluidics for Sustainable Cosmetics

Biodegradable microbeads made from polylactic acid (PLA) were fabricated using droplet microfluidics and shown to degrade significantly faster than conventional plastic microbeads in both aqueous and soil environments. This work directly addresses the microplastic pollution problem in cosmetics by providing a viable, scalable, biodegradable alternative to the polyethylene microbeads that have been banned in many countries.

Tide-dominated estuaries as gateways and filters of plastic pollution to the Ocean: insights from the PLASTINEST project

The ANR PLASTINEST project investigated how tide-dominated estuaries act as both gateways and filters for plastic pollution reaching the ocean, using field measurements, physical experiments, and numerical modeling to understand the trapping and transport dynamics of microplastics in macrotidal estuarine environments.

The sustainability of phytomass-derived materials: thermodynamical aspects, life cycle analysis and research perspectives

This review applies a multiscale thermodynamic and life cycle analysis framework to evaluate the sustainability of phytomass-derived lignocellulose materials across applications including paper, insulation, construction wood, information and communication technologies, and biobased textiles, identifying research priorities for improving biomass resource efficiency.

International pellet watch: Global monitoring of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in plastic resin pellets

Scientists analyzed plastic resin pellets from 65 beaches in 27 countries and found flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs) in 75% of samples, at concentrations up to 46 nanograms per gram of plastic. This global survey demonstrates that plastic pellets act as worldwide carriers of toxic flame retardants in the marine environment.

Theoretical Principles and Perspectives of Hyperspectral Imaging Applied to Sediment Core Analysis

This review examines the theoretical principles and practical applications of hyperspectral imaging for sediment core analysis, covering sensor design, data acquisition, and processing considerations. Researchers found that hyperspectral imaging enables rapid, spatially resolved, non-destructive characterization of sediment cores, offering advantages over traditional point-measurement methods for geological and environmental reconstruction.

Toxicity of acute or repeated exposures to particles from pyrotechnic smokes in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells 3D culture

Researchers examined the toxicity of particles from pyrotechnic smokes — including hexachloroethane-based obscuring smokes and coloured signaling smokes — in 3D cultures of normal human bronchial epithelial cells following acute and repeated exposures, building on prior findings of oxidative potential and adaptive responses in small airway epithelial cells.

The relative effects of interspecific and intraspecific diversity on microplastic trapping in coastal biogenic habitats

Researchers used field transplant experiments and hydrodynamic simulations to assess how interspecific and intraspecific diversity in the macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and F. guiryi affect microplastic trapping in coastal habitats, finding that while individual F. vesiculosus trapped more microplastics than F. guiryi, canopy density reversed this pattern such that F. guiryi canopies accumulated more microplastics overall.

Organ-oriented proteogenomics functional atlas of three aquatic invertebrate sentinel species

Researchers created organ-level proteomic atlases for three aquatic invertebrate sentinel species used in environmental monitoring, identifying thousands of proteins across hepatopancreas, gills, and hemolymph that provide a valuable resource for ecotoxicological studies of pollution impacts.

Seasonal changes in beach resilience along an urbanized barrier island

Researchers developed a Coastal Resilience Index using aerial photogrammetry to assess beach width, dune height, and vegetation cover along an urbanized barrier island. The index revealed how coastal development has degraded natural beach resilience to storms. Monitoring beach resilience helps inform coastal management decisions to protect both ecosystems and human infrastructure.

Sensitivity of Legionella pneumophila to phthalates and their substitutes

Researchers tested how phthalates — plastic-softening chemicals used in manufacturing — affect the behavior of Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, finding that two compounds altered the microbe's movement, biofilm formation, and antibiotic response at environmentally realistic concentrations. The findings suggest plastic-derived chemicals in water systems could influence how dangerous waterborne pathogens behave.