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Papers
144 resultsShowing papers from Stockholm University
ClearNanoplastic concentrations across the North Atlantic
Scientists measured nanoplastics (plastic particles smaller than a micrometer) across the entire North Atlantic Ocean for the first time. They found these tiny particles throughout the water column, with estimated amounts in the surface layer alone potentially reaching 27 million tonnes. This mass rivals or exceeds previous estimates for all larger plastics in the entire Atlantic, showing that nanoplastic pollution is far more extensive than previously thought.
Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries
Scientists updated the planetary boundaries framework and found that six of nine critical Earth system limits have been crossed, including chemical pollution and climate change. This matters for human health because these boundary violations -- driven partly by plastic and chemical pollution -- signal that the planet's ability to support safe living conditions is being seriously compromised.
Microplastics in aquatic systems: A comprehensive review of its distribution, environmental interactions, and health risks
This review summarizes how microplastics accumulate in oceans, rivers, and lakes, where they absorb toxic chemicals like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and carry them up through the food chain. An estimated 5.25 trillion plastic particles float in global oceans, releasing dissolved carbon that disrupts microbial ecosystems, with ultimate risks to human health through seafood consumption and drinking water.
Weathering Plastics as a Planetary Boundary Threat: Exposure, Fate, and Hazards
This paper argues that weathering plastics in the environment now meet all three criteria for a planetary boundary threat: they are found everywhere on Earth, the pollution is essentially irreversible, and emerging evidence shows they can disrupt vital ecosystems. As plastics break down into smaller micro and nanoplastics, they release toxic chemicals and become more bioavailable to organisms. The authors conclude that plastic pollution has reached a scale that could threaten fundamental Earth system processes.
Direct radiative effects of airborne microplastics
Researchers calculated for the first time how airborne microplastics might affect Earth's climate by absorbing and scattering sunlight, similar to dust particles. At current levels, the climate effect is small compared to other air pollutants, but plastic production has been growing rapidly for decades. As more microplastics accumulate in the atmosphere, their influence on climate could become more significant over time.
Canopy Accumulation: Are Seagrass Meadows a Sink of Microplastics?
This meta-analysis investigates whether seagrass meadows accumulate more microplastics than surrounding bare sediments. The findings show that while microplastics are nearly everywhere in coastal sediments, seagrass beds do not concentrate them at higher levels than other areas. However, the widespread contamination is still concerning because many fish species depend on seagrass habitats, creating a pathway for plastics to enter the food chain.
Climate change influence on the levels and trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and chemicals of emerging Arctic concern (CEACs) in the Arctic physical environment – a review
This review examined how climate change is reshaping the movement and distribution of persistent organic pollutants and emerging contaminants across Arctic environments, including air, ice, permafrost, and water. Researchers found that melting permafrost, retreating sea ice, and changing precipitation patterns are releasing stored contaminants and altering how chemicals circulate through the Arctic. The study identifies microplastics as an emerging Arctic contamination concern that needs more research attention.
Size-dependent deleterious effects of nano- and microplastics on sperm motility
In a mouse study, nano- and microplastics of four different sizes all impaired sperm movement quality, with the smallest particles (25-30 nanometers) causing the most damage. The tiny particles were able to penetrate into testicular cells, while larger particles could not. This research adds to growing evidence that microplastic exposure at environmentally realistic levels could contribute to declining male fertility, with nanoplastics posing the greatest risk due to their ability to enter reproductive tissues.
Moving from symptom management to upstream plastics prevention: The fallacy of plastic cleanup technology
This paper argues that plastic cleanup technologies, while helpful at a local scale, cannot solve the global plastic pollution crisis and may distract from more effective solutions. The authors present evidence that reducing plastic production upstream is far more efficient and economical than trying to remove plastic from the environment after it has been released. The findings are important for human health because preventing plastic pollution at the source would reduce the microplastics that end up in food, water, and air.
A growing plastic smog, now estimated to be over 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the world’s oceans—Urgent solutions required
Researchers analyzed ocean plastic data from over 11,000 sampling stations worldwide spanning 1979 to 2019. They estimated that approximately 82 to 358 trillion plastic particles are now floating in the world's oceans, and found a rapid acceleration in plastic pollution since 2005. The study underscores the urgent need for international policy interventions, as current levels suggest existing efforts have not been sufficient to slow the growing plastic burden.
The high persistence of PFAS is sufficient for their management as a chemical class
Researchers argue that the extreme environmental persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is reason enough to regulate them as a single chemical class and phase out all non-essential uses. Because PFAS contain perfluoroalkyl groups that resist virtually all forms of environmental and biological breakdown, their continued release leads to irreversibly increasing concentrations in the environment. The study warns that once harmful effects are confirmed, reversing PFAS contamination will be extremely difficult and costly for society.
Fate and Effects of Macro- and Microplastics in Coastal Wetlands
Researchers compiled data from 112 studies to evaluate how macro- and microplastics accumulate in and affect coastal wetlands including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. They found that plastic concentrations in wetland sediments and marine animals were roughly 200 times higher than in the water column, indicating these ecosystems act as major plastic sinks. The study warns that plastic accumulation can alter sediment properties, harm wildlife, and disrupt the carbon storage function of these critical habitats.
Addressing chemical pollution in biodiversity research
This paper argues that chemical pollution, including microplastics, deserves far more attention in biodiversity research alongside climate change and habitat loss. Evidence shows that anthropogenic chemicals are a growing threat to ecosystems worldwide, yet pollution is often left out of biodiversity studies. The authors call for interdisciplinary collaboration between ecologists and environmental chemists to better understand and combat pollution-driven biodiversity decline.
Marine Natural Products: A Source of Novel Anticancer Drugs
This review explores marine natural products as potential sources for new anticancer drugs, highlighting compounds derived from marine plants, algae, bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates. Researchers found that marine organisms produce diverse bioactive metabolites with unique chemical structures that show promise against cancer cells. The study underscores the ocean as a largely untapped reservoir of compounds that could lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
Reducing Uncertainty and Confronting Ignorance about the Possible Impacts of Weathering Plastic in the Marine Environment
This paper argues that weathering of plastic in the ocean is poorly understood but critically important, as it generates microplastics, nanoplastics, and releases chemical additives over time. Researchers highlight that biofilms growing on ocean plastic affect how it weathers, sinks, and interacts with marine life, yet this process has been underinvestigated. The study calls for laboratory experiments, field monitoring, and modeling to reduce uncertainty about the hazards of aging plastic debris in marine environments.
Human impacts and their interactions in the Baltic Sea region
This comprehensive assessment cataloged the many human-caused pressures on the Baltic Sea region, from climate change and agricultural runoff to shipping, chemical contamination, and microplastic pollution. Researchers found that climate change acts as an overarching force that amplifies or modifies nearly all other environmental stressors in this heavily populated coastal area. The study emphasizes that understanding how these multiple pressures interact is essential for effective environmental management.
Radical changes are needed for transformations to a good Anthropocene
This paper argues that achieving a sustainable future requires radical changes to financial, legal, political, and governance systems, not just incremental improvements. The researchers present five key principles involving fundamental shifts in how societies think about growth, efficiency, government, shared resources, and justice. The study emphasizes that these transformations must happen together across neighborhoods, cities, and regions to stay within planetary boundaries.
Disentangling the Impacts of PAHs, Microplastics, and Sediment Resuspension on Algal Physiology: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Researchers used statistical modeling to separate the individual and combined effects of microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and sediment disturbance on algae health. They found that PAHs had the strongest direct negative effect on algal physiology, while microplastics primarily acted indirectly by influencing how other stressors were distributed. The study demonstrates the importance of studying pollutants in combination rather than isolation to understand real-world ecological impacts.
Strategies for grouping per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to protect human and environmental health
Researchers reviewed various strategies for grouping the more than 4,700 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the global market to inform regulatory and risk assessment actions. The most precautionary approach suggests restricting all PFAS based on their extreme environmental persistence alone, while the least precautionary requires detailed toxicological data for grouping. The study highlights that no single grouping strategy will be universally accepted, and the appropriate approach depends on the regulatory purpose.
Microplastics from face mask impairs sperm motility
Researchers fed mice microplastics derived from face masks for 21 days and found that while overall body weight and sperm counts were unaffected, sperm motility was significantly impaired. Gene expression analysis revealed disruptions in pathways related to sperm development, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the testes. The findings suggest that microplastics shed from disposable face masks could pose risks to male reproductive health.
Microplastic pollution in waters of the Antarctic coastal environment of Potter Cove (25 de Mayo Island/King George Island, South Shetlands)
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive microplastic survey of Potter Cove, Antarctica, finding MPs in 100% of samples — dominated by synthetic microfibers — with concentrations higher near the Carlini research station, confirming local human activity as the primary source in this remote polar environment.
Microplastics pollution in the rivers of a metropolitan city and its estimated dependency on surrounding developed land
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in four rivers across Hong Kong and found that rivers in urbanized areas had significantly higher concentrations of plastic particles than the rural river. The most polluted river contained over 53 plastic particles per liter of water, and contamination levels correlated with the proportion of developed land in surrounding areas. The study suggests that urban development and population density are key drivers of microplastic pollution in city waterways.
Rapid Physicochemical Changes in Microplastic Induced by Biofilm Formation
Researchers studied how biofilm formation rapidly changes the physical and chemical properties of microplastics over a two-week period. The study found significant two-way interactions between microbial communities and plastic surfaces, with biofilm colonization altering surface properties of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, while the type of polymer influenced which microbial communities developed.
Assessing and managing environmental hazards of polymers: historical development, science advances and policy options
Researchers critically reviewed how polymer environmental safety regulations, largely unchanged since the 1990s, fail to keep pace with scientific understanding of plastic pollution. They identified four key areas needing regulatory attention, including better transparency about polymer identities, improved understanding of environmental fate across size categories, and more comprehensive hazard assessments. The study suggests that current regulatory frameworks worldwide need significant updates to adequately manage the environmental risks posed by polymers.