Papers

Unraveling the micro- and nanoplastic predicament: A human-centric insight

This review summarizes what is currently known about micro- and nanoplastic exposure in humans, covering how particles circulate in the environment and accumulate in over 15 different human organs and tissues. The authors analyzed data from 91 toxicity studies and evaluated whether the plastic types and sizes used in experiments reflect real-world human exposure. The review highlights that while evidence of human plastic accumulation is growing, more research with environmentally realistic conditions is needed to truly understand health risks.

Insects at the crossroads of microplastics pollution: Mechanistic insights, ecological risks, and research frontiers

This review of existing research found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are harming insects by causing stress in their bodies and affecting their ability to digest food, think clearly, and reproduce. Insects also break down larger plastic pieces into even more microplastics, making the pollution problem worse. This matters because insects are crucial for pollinating our food crops and keeping ecosystems healthy, so plastic pollution could threaten our food supply.

Human health risk attributed to consumption of seafood and recreation swimming in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka: An assessment on lagoon water and inhabitant oysters (Crassostrea cucullata Born, 1778)

Researchers assessed microbiological water quality and oyster contamination across Negombo Lagoon in Sri Lanka, finding that the northern zone exceeded safe thresholds for both swimming and seafood consumption — with high local oyster consumption rates making this a significant public health risk.

Characterizing planar SERS substrates: unraveling the link between physical characteristics and performance metrics

Researchers systematically reviewed how the physical characteristics of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates relate to their sensing performance. They found that while enhancement factor, sensitivity, and reproducibility are the key performance metrics, there is no standardized way to connect substrate design features to these outcomes. The study calls for better characterization standards to make it easier to compare and optimize SERS platforms for applications including environmental pollutant detection.

An opto-acousto-fluidic microchip for efficient Raman spectroscopy of microparticles in aqueous environment

Researchers developed a novel microchip that combines microfluidics with acoustic trapping and Raman spectroscopy to analyze microparticles in water. The device uses sound waves to hold particles in place while laser-based chemical analysis identifies their composition in real time. The technology could improve the speed and accuracy of detecting microplastics in environmental water samples.

Commercially important mangrove crabs are more susceptible to microplastic contamination than other brachyuran species

Researchers studied microplastic contamination in four species of brachyuran crabs from mangrove habitats in Malaysia's Setiu Wetlands. The study found that commercially important mud crabs (Scylla olivacea) accumulated significantly more microplastics than other species due to their carnivorous feeding behavior, with higher contamination levels during dry seasons when reduced water circulation limited pollutant dispersal.

Influence of microplastics on triclosan bioaccumulation and metabolomics variation in Tilapia fish tissues

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics significantly altered triclosan bioaccumulation and metabolomic profiles in tilapia tissues, with the gut showing the highest triclosan concentrations and the liver exhibiting the most disrupted metabolic pathways after co-exposure.

Microplastics (≤ 10 μm) bioaccumulation in marine sponges along the Moroccan Mediterranean coast: Insights into species-specific distribution and potential bioindication

Researchers found that marine sponges along the Moroccan Mediterranean coast bioaccumulate small microplastics (10 micrometers or less), with species-specific differences in accumulation patterns, suggesting certain sponge species could serve as bioindicators for microplastic pollution monitoring.

Mueller-Gabor holographic microscopy

Researchers introduced a Mueller-Gabor holographic microscopy method that leverages in-line Gabor holography for volumetric polarization information extraction. The study presents a novel imaging approach for comprehensively characterizing samples, with potential applications in identifying and analyzing microscopic particles including microplastics.

Revisiting the challenges of ozone depletion in life cycle assessment

Researchers reviewed 15 environmental assessment methods for measuring the harm caused by ozone depletion and found that most are outdated and incomplete. Better methods are urgently needed, especially as climate change and UV radiation increasingly interact to affect human health, food supplies, and water quality.

Black carbon particles in human breast milk: assessing infant’s exposure

Researchers detected black carbon particles in all eight human breast milk samples tested in this pilot study, marking the first time these pollutants have been identified in breast milk. The particle levels were strongly correlated with recent maternal exposure to ambient air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. The findings raise important questions about infant exposure to environmental pollutants through breastfeeding, though the study emphasizes that breast milk remains the recommended source of infant nutrition.

Recent technological innovations in mycelium materials as leather substitutes: a patent review

This patent review examined recent innovations in mycelium-based leather substitutes made from filamentous fungi, covering fabrication methods, post-processing techniques, and their potential as sustainable alternatives to animal and plastic-based leathers.

Advancing Raman imaging in opto-acousto-fluidic microchips

This paper presents advances in integrating Raman imaging with opto-acousto-fluidic microchip systems, improving signal collection efficiency and reducing measurement time for chemical imaging of particles in flow, with applications for real-time microplastic identification in water samples.

Assessing Plastic Pollution in Kenyan Mangroves: Distribution, Sources, and Social Impact in Gazi Bay

How Do They Do It? – Understanding the Success of Marine Invasive Species

This review examines the ecological strategies that allow marine invasive species to successfully establish in new environments, covering competitive ability, stress tolerance, and reproductive flexibility. Understanding invasion success in a changing ocean is relevant to microplastic research because plastic debris can serve as a transport vector for invasive species through hull fouling and plastic rafting.

A Study of High-Frequency Noise for Microplastics Classification Using Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning

This study developed a machine learning approach to classify microplastics using Raman spectroscopy data with high-frequency noise, demonstrating that noise-robust models can accurately identify plastic polymer types for environmental monitoring applications.

Effect of extrusion and fused filament fabrication processing parameters of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) on the crystallinity and mechanical properties

Deciphering the role of nonylphenol adsorption in soil by microplastics with different polarities and ageing processes

Photochemical and soil-based aging of polypropylene and polyamide microplastics both promoted formation of C-O and carbonyl groups, enhancing nonylphenol adsorption in soil by up to severalfold, with implications for co-transport of this endocrine-disrupting chemical.

Enhancing groundwater recharge in drinking water protection zones in Flanders (Belgium): A novel approach to assess stormwater managed aquifer recharge potential

Researchers developed a model to estimate how much stormwater runoff in Flanders, Belgium could be directed underground to recharge drinking water aquifers, finding it could supplement natural recharge by an average of 17%. The study suggests urban stormwater harvesting is an underutilized tool for protecting drinking water supplies, though water quality risks need further investigation.

Revisiting the challenges of ozone depletion in Life Cycle Assessment

This review revisits the challenges of quantifying ozone depletion impacts in life cycle assessment (LCA), covering the interconnected effects of UV-B radiation on water quality, agriculture, human health, and biodiversity. The review highlights gaps in current LCA methods for capturing diverse environmental consequences of stratospheric ozone depletion.

Protecting public health and the environment: towards a general ban on cellulose acetate cigarette filters in the European Union

This paper reviewed evidence on cellulose acetate cigarette filters, finding that they encourage smoking, are inhaled more deeply, and are a significant source of persistent plastic pollution, supporting calls for a general ban on cellulose acetate filters.

Critical water quality limits for aquatic freshwater biodiversity 

This review summarizes existing research on how pollution affects freshwater animals like fish, frogs, and other water creatures. Scientists found that many types of pollution—including nutrients from fertilizers, metals, plastics, and chemicals like PFAS—can harm or kill these animals, but we still don't know the safe limits for many pollutants. This matters because polluted water that harms wildlife often affects the water we drink and use, so protecting freshwater animals helps protect human health too.

Combined risks of microplastics, trace metals, and antimicrobial resistance in the Nhue–Day River Basin, Vietnam

Researchers investigated the Nhue-Day River basin in Vietnam — a heavily industrialized and agricultural watershed — and found microplastics across all sampled sites acting as carriers for trace metals like lead, chromium, and arsenic, with fishponds showing 6.5 times higher microplastic levels than rivers. Antibiotic resistance genes were also detected near industrial discharge points, though a direct link to microplastics was less clear. The study provides an important baseline for a region where contaminated water is used directly for irrigation and fish farming, raising food safety concerns.

Studying the concentration of polymers in blended microplastics using 2D and 3D Raman mapping

Scientists developed a 3D Raman mapping approach to measure the composition of "blended" microplastics — particles made from mixtures of different polymers rather than a single plastic type. Because blended plastics are extremely common in real-world pollution, the new technique provides a more accurate picture of what microplastic particles are actually made of, which is critical for assessing their chemical risks and environmental persistence.