Papers

Effects of exposure to micro/nanoplastics of polystyrene on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and anxiety-like behavior in mice: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examined 24 studies on how polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics affect the brains of mice. The findings consistently showed that exposure led to increased oxidative stress, brain inflammation, and anxiety-like behavior. Maternal exposure also caused brain-related harm in offspring, suggesting these tiny plastic particles could pose real risks to the nervous system.

Beyond surface: Unveiling ecological and economic ramifications of microplastic pollution in the oceans

This review examines the ecological and economic damage caused by microplastic pollution in the world's oceans, where 400 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated annually. The paper argues that international legislation and a global plastics treaty are essential to shift toward a circular plastics economy and prevent further harm to marine ecosystems. Without decisive action, microplastic pollution will continue to threaten both ocean health and the communities that depend on marine resources.

Sex-based differences in toxicity after exposure to microplastics or nanoplastics in aquatic and terrestrial organisms: A systematic review

This systematic review found consistent sex-based differences in how organisms respond to micro- and nanoplastic exposure, with females often showing greater reproductive and hormonal vulnerability. These findings suggest that microplastic health risk assessments should account for biological sex as a variable, which has important implications for understanding human exposure risks.

Implications of climate change on water quality and sanitation in climate hotspot locations: A case study in Indonesia

This review assesses water quality challenges in Indonesia, where 70% of rivers are heavily polluted and only 10% of rainfall reaches groundwater. Water availability has dropped sharply, with a supply deficit of 5.5 cubic hectometers per year. While focused on broader water quality issues including industrial and domestic waste, the findings illustrate how inadequate water infrastructure in climate-vulnerable regions leaves populations exposed to emerging contaminants like microplastics.

Heavy metals and microplastics in the stomach contents of two fish species: Trachurus trachurus and Zeus faber along the North and Central Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Scientists examined the stomachs of two popular commercial fish species along the Moroccan Atlantic coast and found microplastics in 46% of the fish, mostly in the form of fibers made from polyamide, polystyrene, and acrylic. Heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and zinc were also detected in 97% of samples, though levels stayed below regulatory limits. While the contamination risk from microplastics was generally low, the study flagged potential health concerns for children who frequently eat these fish.

Implication of nanotechnology to reduce the environmental risks of waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

This review examines how nanotechnology can be applied to manage the environmental risks from waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic, including personal protective equipment and medical waste. Researchers explore solutions such as antiviral surface coatings and nanoparticle-based disinfection to reduce both infection spread and plastic pollution. The study highlights the connection between pandemic waste, microplastic generation, and the need for innovative waste management approaches.

Disposal Behavior of Used Masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Moroccan Community: Potential Environmental Impact

Researchers surveyed face mask disposal behavior in two major Moroccan regions during the COVID-19 pandemic and estimated the volume of mask waste generated. They found that over five million masks per day, equivalent to roughly 40,000 kg, were being discarded in the studied regions alone. The study highlights the significant environmental risk posed by pandemic-related plastic waste, which can break down into microplastics in both land and marine environments.

Towards Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions Agriculture in North Africa through Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Systematic Review

This systematic review found that climate-smart agriculture practices in North Africa, including conservation tillage, agroforestry, and improved water management, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining crop productivity. However, adoption remains limited due to lack of localized research, policy gaps, and insufficient financial incentives for farmers in the region.

Porous activated carbons derived from waste Moroccan pine cones for high-performance adsorption of bisphenol A from water

Researchers converted waste pine cones from Morocco into highly porous activated carbon materials with very large surface areas, and showed these materials can effectively remove bisphenol A (BPA) — a harmful plastic-associated chemical — from water, offering a low-cost, renewable water purification option.

Marine plastic pollution in Morocco: state of the knowledge on origin, occurrence, fate, and management

Researchers reviewed the state of marine plastic pollution in Morocco, identifying fishing, tourism, and maritime trade as major sources of coastal plastic inputs and finding that data gaps, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and weak enforcement of disposal laws are the primary barriers to addressing the problem.

Innovative whey protein isolate-based biopolymer film with glycerol for sustainable food packaging applications

Researchers developed a whey protein isolate-based biodegradable film plasticized with glycerol as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging, demonstrating comparable barrier properties and mechanical performance without generating persistent microplastic residues.

Effects of exposure to micro/nanoplastics of polystyrene on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and anxiety-like behavior in mice

Thermogravimetric Analysis of Rigid PVC and Animal-Origin Bio-Composite: Experimental Study and Comparative Analysis

Researchers used thermogravimetric analysis to compare the thermal degradation behavior of rigid PVC with an animal-origin biocomposite material, evaluating the biocomposite as a more sustainable alternative to conventional PVC in industrial applications.

Microplastic ingestion by Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) in the North and central Moroccan Atlantic coast between Larache (35°30′N) and Boujdour (26°30′N)

Researchers found that Atlantic horse mackerel along the Moroccan Atlantic coast had ingested polyamide, acrylic, and polystyrene microplastics, mapping the spatial distribution of contamination across a 900 km stretch of coastline.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature on Coastal Sediment Pollution

Ingestion of microplastics by pelagic fish from the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast

Researchers found microplastics in the stomachs of three small pelagic fish species caught along the Moroccan Central Atlantic coast, confirming plastic ingestion in commercially important species in a region where marine litter is predominantly plastic. The study adds to growing evidence of microplastic contamination in North African Atlantic fisheries.

Study of the Effect of Accelerated Aging by Sea Water on the Mechanical and Chemical Properties of High Density Polyethylene Bottles

Researchers subjected high-density polyethylene bottle samples to accelerated seawater aging at two temperatures, finding that immersion caused a loss of ductility and a transition from ductile to brittle failure behavior, with FTIR analysis confirming increasing crystallinity and SEM revealing progressive surface degradation over the aging period.

Evaluation of the Effects of Three Chemical Fertilizers on <i>Artemia salina</i>

Researchers tested the toxicity of three common agricultural fertilizers on brine shrimp (Artemia salina) as part of ecotoxicological screening. All three fertilizers caused lethal effects that increased with concentration. Brine shrimp toxicity testing provides a standardized way to assess the environmental risks of agricultural chemicals before they are widely applied.

Modeling and Simulations of Moving Droplets in Relation to SARS-CoV-19 Generated by Respiratory System

THE SEAFLOOR MARINE DEBRIS ON THE NORTH AND THE CENTRAL PART OFTHE MOROCCAN ATLANTIC WATERS FROM TANGIER (35° N) TO SIDI IFNI (29° N): COMPOSITION, ABUNDANCE, SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, SOURCES AND MOVEMENT

Researchers used trawl surveys to map marine debris on the seafloor along 1,300 km of Morocco's Atlantic coast, documenting the composition, abundance, and distribution of debris from bottom trawling surveys. Plastic waste dominated the debris, with findings providing baseline data on seafloor plastic pollution in a heavily fished and under-studied region.