Papers

admetSAR3.0: a comprehensive platform for exploration, prediction and optimization of chemical ADMET properties

This paper describes admetSAR3.0, an updated software platform for predicting how chemicals are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body, as well as their toxicity. While not specifically about microplastics, the tool can assess the safety of chemicals found in plastics, including plastic additives and breakdown products. The platform now covers 119 endpoints and includes environmental and cosmetic risk assessments.

Research on the Migration and Adsorption Mechanism Applied to Microplastics in Porous Media: A Review

This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics move through soil, sediment, and rock. Understanding how these tiny particles travel through the ground is important because it affects whether they reach our drinking water sources. The review found that particle size, shape, and environmental conditions all influence how far microplastics can spread underground.

Microplastics in different municipal solid waste treatment and disposal systems: Do they pose environmental risks?

This review summarizes how microplastics behave in different waste treatment systems, including landfills, composting facilities, and incinerators. The researchers found that all of these systems can release microplastics into surrounding soil, water, and air, posing ecological risks. The findings highlight that even our waste management methods are contributing to microplastic pollution, which can ultimately affect human exposure.

Occurrence and fate of microplastics from a water source to two different drinking water treatment plants in a megacity in eastern China

Researchers tracked microplastics through two drinking water treatment plants in a major Chinese city and found that treatment removed 73-83% of microplastics from the water. However, some microplastics were still present in the treated drinking water, and chlorine disinfection actually increased polystyrene levels. The smallest particles (2-5 micrometers) were the hardest to remove, which is a concern because smaller particles may be more easily absorbed by the human body.

Mechanism and characterization of microplastic aging process: A review

This review explains how microplastics age and break down in the environment through sunlight, heat, and chemical reactions, and why this aging process matters. As microplastics weather, their surfaces change in ways that make them better at absorbing toxic pollutants and more harmful to living organisms. Understanding these aging processes is important because the microplastics people encounter in food and water have typically been weathered, meaning they may be more dangerous than the fresh plastics used in most lab studies.

Efficient degradation and mineralization of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics by the synergy of sulfate and hydroxyl radicals in a heterogeneous electro-Fenton-activated persulfate oxidation system

Researchers developed a new electrochemical system that broke down over 91% of PET microplastics (the type found in water bottles and food packaging) in water within 12 hours. This cleanup technology works by generating powerful chemical radicals that attack the plastic structure, offering a promising approach for removing microplastics from water before they can enter drinking water systems or accumulate in food chains.

Effect of polyethylene, polyamide, and polylactic acid microplastics on Cr accumulation and toxicity to cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in hydroponics

Researchers tested how three types of microplastics affect chromium (a toxic heavy metal) uptake in cucumber plants grown in water. Polyethylene microplastics increased chromium absorption in roots by up to 40%, while polyamide microplastics actually reduced chromium uptake and helped the plants grow better. This matters because microplastics in farm soil could change how much toxic metals end up in the food we eat, depending on the type of plastic involved.

Occurrence, sources, and ecological risk of microplastics in groundwater: Impacts by agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition

Researchers measured microplastic levels in groundwater beneath Shanghai and found concentrations ranging from 3 to 99 particles per liter, with agricultural activity and atmospheric deposition identified as primary sources. The study used multiple risk indices to show that some areas had concerning levels of contamination. Since groundwater is a major drinking water source for many communities, this finding highlights a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in humans.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in a Soil–Plant System from an Open Dumpsite and the Associated Health Risks through Multiple Routes

Researchers studied heavy metal contamination in soil and plants at a municipal waste dump site, screening native plant species for their ability to absorb and accumulate metals. They found that certain plants showed strong potential as hyperaccumulators that could be used for bioremediation of contaminated land. The study also assessed health risks to nearby populations from exposure through ingestion, skin contact, and inhalation of contaminated soil and plant material.

SERS-Based Microneedle Biosensor for In Situ and Sensitive Detection of Tyrosinase

This study developed a microneedle biosensor for detecting tyrosinase, a melanoma biomarker, directly in human skin using Raman spectroscopy. While not related to microplastics, this type of minimally invasive biosensor technology could potentially be adapted to detect microplastic-related biomarkers in the body. The advancement of in-body sensing platforms is relevant to future monitoring of microplastic exposure and its health effects.

The effects of size and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics on stratum corneum model membranes: An experimental and computational study

Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and surface modifications interact with the outermost layer of human skin, the stratum corneum. Using both experiments and computer simulations, they found that particle size and surface chemistry significantly affected how nanoplastics disrupted skin barrier membranes. The study provides early evidence that nanoplastics could potentially compromise the skin's protective barrier, which is relevant to understanding dermal exposure risks.

Transgenerational neurotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics induced by oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

Researchers exposed the roundworm C. elegans to polystyrene microplastics and tracked the effects across five generations. They found that microplastic exposure caused nerve damage and oxidative stress that persisted in offspring even when those generations were not directly exposed, suggesting microplastics can have lasting effects passed down through generations.

High-efficiency microplastic removal in water treatment based on short flow control of hydrocyclone: Mechanism and performance

Researchers developed an improved mini-hydrocyclone device that removes over 98% of microplastics from water, a 34% improvement over conventional designs. The device uses tiny overflow channels to prevent small plastic particles from escaping during the separation process. This technology could be scaled up for industrial water treatment, helping to remove microplastics before treated water reaches the environment or drinking water supplies.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment

This review examines how discarded personal protective equipment from the COVID-19 pandemic has become a new source of microplastic and microfiber pollution. Researchers found that single-use masks, gloves, and other PPE break down into tiny plastic particles that contaminate water, soil, and air. The study highlights the environmental trade-off of pandemic safety measures and calls for better waste management strategies for healthcare materials.

A review of atmospheric microplastics pollution: In-depth sighting of sources, analytical methods, physiognomies, transport and risks

This review provides an in-depth analysis of atmospheric microplastic pollution, examining sources, detection methods, physical characteristics, transport mechanisms, and health risks. Researchers found that indoor environments tend to contain higher concentrations of airborne microplastics than outdoor settings, and that current detection methods are limited in their ability to capture the smallest particles. The study emphasizes the need for standardized sampling procedures and more research into the health effects of inhaling microplastic particles.

An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan

Researchers developed a biodegradable food packaging film made from natural materials including chitosan and resveratrol that kills bacteria and prevents food spoilage. Unlike conventional plastic packaging that breaks down into microplastics, this film is made entirely from biological materials and poses no microplastic contamination risk. This type of eco-friendly alternative could help reduce the microplastics that enter the food supply through traditional plastic packaging.

Revealing Microplastic risks in stratified water columns of the East China Sea offshore

This study mapped microplastic distribution across different depth layers in the East China Sea and assessed their potential toxicity to marine organisms. Significant differences in microplastic characteristics were found between water layers, with certain depths posing higher ecological risks. Since the East China Sea is an important fishing ground, understanding how microplastics distribute through the water column helps assess risks to seafood safety and human health.

Interactions between the co-contamination system of oxcarbazepine-polypropylene microplastics and Chlorella sp. FACHB-9: Toxic effects and biodegradation

Researchers studied the combined effects of the pharmaceutical oxcarbazepine and polypropylene microplastics on a freshwater algae species. They found that co-exposure caused significantly more damage than either pollutant alone, reducing algal growth by nearly 39 percent and disrupting photosynthesis and energy metabolism. Encouragingly, the algae were able to degrade over 86 percent of the pharmaceutical even in the presence of microplastics, suggesting potential for bioremediation.

Further negative effect of fibrous microplastics to the bioaccumulation and toxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane on zebrafish

Researchers investigated how fibrous microplastics from PET plastic interact with a common flame retardant chemical called DBDPE in zebrafish over 28 days. They found that microplastics significantly increased the amount of the flame retardant that accumulated in fish tissue and slowed its elimination from the body. The study suggests that microplastics may act as carriers for other toxic chemicals, amplifying their harmful effects on aquatic organisms.

Microplastic Removal from Water Using Biomass‐Based Carbon: A Review of Recent Advances

This review evaluates the potential of carbon materials derived from biomass, such as agricultural waste and wood, for removing microplastics from water. Researchers found that these materials offer advantages including low cost, abundant raw material sources, and effective removal capabilities. The study highlights biomass-derived carbon as a promising sustainable technology for addressing microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.

Microbial metabolism in wormcast affected the perturbation on soil organic matter by microplastics under decabromodiphenyl ethane stress

Researchers examined how microplastics combined with a brominated flame retardant affect soil health through earthworm activity. They found that microplastics altered the microbial communities in earthworm castings, which in turn changed how soil organic matter was processed. The study suggests that co-pollution from microplastics and flame retardants can disrupt important soil ecosystem functions that depend on earthworm-microbe interactions.

Microplastics affect the removal of dye in textile wastewater: Adsorption capacity and its effect on coagulation behavior

Metal leaching accompanied with natural photo-aging behavior of e-waste plastic derived microplastics in aquatic environment

Researchers studied how microplastics derived from electronic waste release metals into water as they age under sunlight over 112 days. They found that the aging process significantly increased the leaching of harmful metals from these e-waste plastics. The findings highlight a previously underappreciated pathway by which electronic waste contributes to water pollution through the gradual release of toxic metal additives from degrading plastic particles.

Unveiling the impacts of biodegradable microplastics on cadmium toxicity, translocation, transformation, and metabolome in lettuce

Researchers studied how biodegradable microplastics interact with cadmium contamination in lettuce and found that the combination worsened the toxic effects on plant growth compared to cadmium alone. The biodegradable plastics increased cadmium accumulation in the edible parts of the lettuce and altered how the metal was distributed within plant cells. The findings raise concerns about using biodegradable plastic mulch in soils already contaminated with heavy metals, as it may increase the amount of toxic metals that end up in food crops.