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Papers
164 resultsShowing papers from Aalborg University
ClearPeople need freshwater biodiversity
This paper catalogs nine essential services that freshwater biodiversity provides to people, from food and clean water to climate regulation and cultural value. While not directly about microplastics, freshwater ecosystems are increasingly threatened by microplastic pollution, which can harm the aquatic organisms that provide these critical benefits to human communities.
Micro- and nano-plastics, intestinal inflammation, and inflammatory bowel disease: A review of the literature
This review summarizes the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Studies show these tiny plastic particles can trigger immune responses in the gut, alter the gut microbiome, and worsen intestinal inflammation, though more research using standardized methods is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Assessment of microplastic pollution and polymer risk in the sediment compartment of the Limfjord, Denmark
Scientists measured microplastic contamination across a large Danish fjord and found plastic particles at every location sampled, with concentrations up to 4,288 particles per kilogram of sediment. They applied a Polymer Hazard Index showing that certain plastic types like polyacrylonitrile and ABS pose especially high risks. The study estimates the fjord's surface sediments hold thousands of kilograms of microplastics, with potential consequences for the commercial shellfish species living there.
Every breath you take: High concentration of breathable microplastics in indoor environments
Researchers measured airborne microplastics inside homes and offices using Raman spectroscopy and found concentrations ranging from 58 to 684 particles per cubic meter, with most particles small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs. A standard surgical face mask blocked about 85% of airborne microplastics overall but was less effective (58%) for the smallest breathable particles. Without protection, people may inhale over 3,400 microplastic particles per day from indoor air alone.
Vertical distribution of microplastics in an agricultural soil after long-term treatment with sewage sludge and mineral fertiliser
After 24 years of use, researchers found that sewage sludge applied as fertilizer deposited significantly more microplastics in farm soil than mineral fertilizer, with substantial amounts migrating deeper than the plow layer -- down to 70 cm. Textile-related plastic fibers were especially common in sludge-treated soil, and smaller fragments moved deeper over time. This shows that decades of applying treated sewage to farmland creates lasting microplastic contamination throughout the soil profile.
Fibrinaloid Microclots and Atrial Fibrillation
This review explores whether tiny, abnormal blood clots called fibrinaloid microclots might contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. Known risk factors for atrial fibrillation, including infections and air pollution by particulates, are also known to trigger these microclots. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because airborne microplastic particles are a form of particulate pollution that could potentially contribute to microclot formation and cardiovascular problems.
Characterizing the multidimensionality of microplastics across environmental compartments
Researchers characterized the size, shape, polymer type, volume, and mass of over 60,000 individual microplastic particles collected from various aquatic environments including surface water, sediments, and organisms. They found that particle size distributions follow predictable mathematical patterns that differ by environmental compartment and polymer type. The findings provide a framework for more realistic risk assessments by capturing the full diversity of microplastic characteristics relevant to toxicology.
Microplastic pollution in drinking water
This review examines what is known about microplastic contamination in both tap and bottled drinking water around the world. Researchers found that while microplastics have been detected in drinking water at many locations, the reported concentrations vary enormously, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about relative risk. The study highlights the urgent need for standardized sampling and analysis methods to produce reliable and comparable data on microplastics in the water we drink.
Shapes of Hyperspectral Imaged Microplastics
This study developed a standardized classification system for the shapes of microplastics found using hyperspectral imaging, proposing nine clear categories including fiber, rod, sphere, and others. When five experts tested the system on over 11,000 microplastic particles from various environments, the categories proved well-defined and distinguishable. Better shape classification matters because particle shape affects how microplastics interact with living organisms, including how easily they can be inhaled or ingested by humans.
Drinking plastics? – Quantification and qualification of microplastics in drinking water distribution systems by µFTIR and Py-GCMS
Researchers used two advanced analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water distribution systems in Denmark. They found low but measurable concentrations of microplastic particles, primarily polyethylene and polyester, and emphasize the importance of using rigorous, standardized methods to produce reliable data on microplastic levels in tap water.
Downward migrating microplastics in lake sediments are a tricky indicator for the onset of the Anthropocene
Researchers studying lake sediment cores in northeastern Europe found that microplastics had migrated downward through sediment layers over time, appearing in layers that predate the era of plastic production. This means microplastics cannot be used as a reliable geological marker for the start of the modern era (Anthropocene), because the particles move through sediment rather than staying in place. The finding also highlights that microplastics can travel deeper into soil and sediment than previously assumed, potentially reaching groundwater.
Py–GC–MS analysis for microplastics: Unlocking matrix challenges and sample recovery when analyzing wastewater for polypropylene and polystyrene
This study tested a common lab method for detecting microplastics in wastewater and found that while the analytical technique itself was reliable, the sample preparation steps caused significant loss of plastic material. This means some microplastic contamination studies may be underestimating the true levels in wastewater. Accurate measurement methods are important because wastewater is a major pathway through which microplastics reach drinking water and the environment.
Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin
Researchers used a breathing thermal manikin to simulate human exposure to airborne microplastics inside three apartments and found that every sample contained microplastic particles. Polyester and polyamide fibers from textiles were the most common types detected. The study estimates that people inhale meaningful quantities of microplastics indoors, identifying a significant but understudied route of human exposure.
Biofilms on Plastics Slow Photo-Oxidation while Promoting Surface Degradation
Researchers studied how microbial biofilms on plastic bottles affect the breakdown of PET plastic under ultraviolet light and found that biofilms play a dual role. While they slowed down chemical photo-oxidation by shielding the surface from UV rays, they simultaneously made the plastic more brittle and rough, ultimately promoting physical fragmentation. The findings reveal that plastic aging in natural environments is more complex than laboratory studies on clean plastics suggest.
Microplastics and tyre wear particles in urban runoff from different urban surfaces
Researchers measured microplastics and tire wear particles in stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and rooftops in Sweden. They found that road runoff carried the highest concentrations by far, with large variations between rainfall events. The findings highlight urban roads as a major source of microplastic pollution entering nearby waterways through stormwater.
Permeable pavements: A possible sink for tyre wear particles and other microplastics?
Researchers sampled approximately 100 kg of particulate material from seven roads and parking lots to analyze microplastic content including tire wear particles. The study found that tire wear constituted the dominant fraction of microplastics at 0.09% of dry mass, with polypropylene as the most common non-tire plastic type, and that permeable pavements may act as sinks trapping these particles before they reach waterways.
Abundance and distribution of microplastics in surface waters of the Kattegat/ Skagerrak (Denmark)
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters of the Kattegat/Skagerrak area near Denmark using a specialized pump-filter device capable of capturing particles as small as 10 micrometers. They found concentrations ranging from 11 to 87 particles per cubic meter, with 88 percent of the microplastics being smaller than 300 micrometers. The study demonstrates that standard monitoring nets miss the vast majority of marine microplastics due to their inability to capture smaller particles.
Treating wastewater for microplastics to a level on par with nearby marine waters
Researchers studied microplastic removal at one of Sweden's most advanced wastewater treatment plants and found that it achieved a 99.98% removal rate, bringing discharge concentrations down to levels comparable to the surrounding marine waters. The mechanical pre-treatment stage was responsible for the largest share of removal, with activated sludge acting as the main collection point for captured particles. The study demonstrates that well-designed modern treatment plants do not have to be significant sources of microplastic pollution.
Point-source tracking of microplastics in sewerage systems. Finding the culprit
Researchers traced microplastic pollution back to specific sources within sewerage systems by sampling wastewater from hospitals, food processing facilities, and domestic drains. They found that each source had a distinct microplastic fingerprint in terms of polymer type, size, and concentration. The study demonstrates that targeted source tracking within sewer networks could help identify and reduce the largest contributors of microplastic pollution before it reaches treatment plants.
Effect of vacuum UV and UV-C treatment on degradation and ecotoxicity of tire wear microrubber leachates
Researchers tested UV light treatments on leachates from tire wear particles and found that a combined vacuum UV and UV-C approach effectively broke down toxic compounds including certain PAHs and chemical additives by up to 90%. The treatment also reduced the potential ecological toxicity and genotoxicity of the leachates, suggesting UV technology could help mitigate the environmental impact of tire-derived pollution.
Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastics in a wastewater treatment plant compared to an advanced MBR technology: Full-scale pilot plant
Researchers compared microplastic removal efficiency between a standard wastewater treatment plant and an advanced membrane bioreactor (MBR) system and found MBR technology achieved 99.7% removal — far outperforming conventional treatment — suggesting upgraded filtration systems are critical to keeping microplastics out of waterways.
It matters how we measure - Quantification of microplastics in drinking water by μFTIR and μRaman
Researchers compared two different spectroscopy methods for measuring microplastics in drinking water from a Danish waterworks and found significantly different results depending on which technique was used. The infrared method showed higher removal efficiency than the Raman method, largely because each technique detects different size ranges of particles. The study highlights that how we measure microplastics matters enormously, and standardized methods are needed for reliable drinking water assessments.
Spatial distribution of small microplastics in the Norwegian Coastal Current
Researchers mapped microplastic concentrations at multiple depths along the Norwegian Coastal Current, a major pathway carrying pollutants toward the Arctic. They found that the smallest microplastics, those under 50 micrometers, made up over 80% of all detected particles and were found at concentrations up to four orders of magnitude higher than larger microplastics, underscoring the importance of measuring these very small particles in ocean monitoring.
Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on cell growth, intracellular products and oxidative stress of Scenedesmus sp.
Researchers exposed freshwater microalgae to PET microplastics, a common plastic found in beverage bottles and textiles. Higher concentrations of PET particles significantly reduced algal growth and disrupted the cells' internal production of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The study suggests that PET microplastic pollution in wastewater could harm the tiny organisms that form the foundation of aquatic food webs.