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Papers
384 resultsShowing papers from University of Bayreuth
ClearEffect of micro- and nanoplastic particles on human macrophages
This study is the first to visualize polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles inside primary human immune cells (macrophages) from actual blood donors, showing that the particles increase cell death and generate harmful reactive oxygen species. The findings provide direct evidence that human immune cells react to plastic particles in ways that could contribute to inflammation and health problems.
Nominally identical microplastic models differ greatly in their particle-cell interactions
Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastic beads from eight different manufacturers -- despite being labeled as identical -- had significantly different surface electrical charges, which dramatically changed how the particles stuck to and were absorbed by cells. This means that many microplastic toxicity studies may not be directly comparable, and surface charge should be measured and reported to make research on microplastic health effects more reliable.
Microplastics accumulate fungal pathogens in terrestrial ecosystems
Microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems serve as selective microhabitats that accumulate distinct fungal communities, including opportunistic human pathogens such as cryptococcal and Phoma-like species, making plastic waste a persistent reservoir and potential vector for fungal infections in soil environments.
Assessing the Behavior of Microplastics in Fluvial Systems: Infiltration and Retention Dynamics in Streambed Sediments
Scientists used laboratory river-bed simulations to study how microplastics move from surface water down into streambed sediments. Smaller particles (1 micrometer) penetrated deeper into the sediment than larger ones, and higher water flow pushed more particles downward. This research helps explain how microplastics accumulate in river beds, which serve as both drinking water sources and habitats for aquatic organisms.
Strategy towards producing relevant and reliable data for the hazard assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural soils
This paper outlines a strategy for producing better scientific data on the hazards of micro and nanoplastics in agricultural soils. Current research suffers from a lack of standardized testing methods, unrealistic experimental conditions, and inconsistent materials, making it hard to draw reliable conclusions. The authors provide specific recommendations for more environmentally relevant experiments that could support meaningful regulations to protect soil ecosystems and food safety.
The complexity of micro- and nanoplastic research in the genus Daphnia – A systematic review of study variability and a meta-analysis of immobilization rates
This meta-analysis examines how micro- and nanoplastics affect Daphnia, a tiny water creature widely used to test the toxicity of pollutants. The research found that plastics can harm Daphnia survival and reproduction, which matters because these organisms are at the base of freshwater food chains that ultimately connect to human water and food sources.
Nano- and microplastics: a comprehensive review on their exposure routes, translocation, and fate in humans
This comprehensive review traces the journey of nano- and microplastics through the human body, covering how they enter through breathing, eating, drinking, and skin contact. Once inside, the smallest particles can cross the gut and lung barriers, enter the bloodstream, and accumulate in organs including the liver, kidneys, and placenta. The review highlights significant knowledge gaps about long-term health effects but notes that the evidence for internal accumulation in humans is growing.
Effects of dissolved organic matter on the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastic particles to Daphnia - a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis pools data from 13 studies to examine whether dissolved organic matter in water can reduce the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastics on water fleas. The findings suggest that certain natural substances in water may lessen plastic particle toxicity, offering insight into how environmental conditions influence the real-world risks of microplastic pollution.
Increasing microplastic concentrations have nonlinear impacts on the physiology of reef-building corals
Researchers exposed two species of reef-building corals to different concentrations of a realistic microplastic mixture for 12 weeks and found that higher concentrations caused reduced growth, tissue death, and disrupted photosynthesis. The effects followed nonlinear patterns, meaning even moderate increases in microplastic levels could trigger disproportionate damage. Coral reef health matters for human communities because reefs support fisheries and protect coastlines.
Interlaboratory Comparison Reveals State of the Art in Microplastic Detection and Quantification Methods
This large international study compared how 84 laboratories around the world performed when identifying and measuring microplastics using five common detection methods. The results showed significant differences between labs, with spectroscopy-based methods generally outperforming heat-based techniques for accuracy. The findings highlight that standardized methods are urgently needed so that microplastic measurements in food, water, and the environment can be reliably compared across studies.
The Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx) 2.0
This paper describes an update to the Toxicity of Microplastics Explorer (ToMEx), a public database of microplastic toxicity studies used by researchers worldwide for risk assessment. The updated database roughly doubled in size, yet key trends held steady: smaller particles tend to be more toxic, and there is still a lack of dose-response data needed to set safe exposure limits. This tool is important because it helps scientists and regulators determine what levels of microplastic contamination might actually harm human health and ecosystems.
Numerical modeling of microplastic interaction with fine sediment under estuarine conditions
This study developed a numerical model to simulate how microplastics interact with fine sediment particles under estuary conditions. Researchers found that interactions with suspended sediment significantly influence where microplastics travel and accumulate in coastal waterways. The model provides a new tool for predicting microplastic transport patterns and identifying pollution hotspots in estuarine environments.
Uptake and translocation of nanoplastics in mono and dicot vegetables
Scientists exposed four different vegetable crops to fluorescent nanoplastics and tracked where the particles ended up in the plants. Nanoplastics were absorbed through the roots and transported to the stems and leaves of all plants tested, including tomatoes, radishes, and leafy greens. This confirms that food crops can take up nanoplastics from contaminated soil and deliver them to the parts of the plant that people eat.
Desorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Microplastics in Human Gastrointestinal Fluid Simulants─Implications for Exposure Assessment
Scientists used a lab model of the human digestive system to study how cancer-causing chemicals called PAHs are released from microplastics as they pass through the gut. They found that 21-29% of the chemicals absorbed onto microplastics were released during digestion, with the most release happening in the intestines. However, the overall contribution of microplastic-carried PAHs to total dietary intake was very low, suggesting that for most people, microplastics are not a major source of PAH exposure through food.
Plastiphily is linked to generic virulence traits of important human pathogenic fungi
A study of soil near human dwellings found that microplastics selectively attract and concentrate dangerous fungal pathogens, including species that cause serious human infections. The microplastic surfaces essentially act as tiny habitats where disease-causing fungi accumulate and may develop enhanced survival traits. This suggests that the trillions of microplastic particles in soil could be amplifying the spread of fungal infections, adding a new dimension to microplastic health risks.
Crafting a Scientific Framework to Mitigate Microplastic Impact on Ecosystems
This study proposes a seven-step global framework for addressing microplastic pollution, from initial research and detection through to predicting and carrying out cleanup of contaminated areas. The authors note that 79% of all plastic ever produced has ended up in landfills or the environment, where it breaks down into microplastics that have been found in human and animal bodies worldwide. The framework aims to provide a coordinated global approach to systematically reduce microplastic contamination and its effects on ecosystems and human health.
Size dependent uptake and trophic transfer of polystyrene microplastics in unicellular freshwater eukaryotes
Researchers demonstrated that single-celled freshwater organisms can take in polystyrene microplastics and pass them up the food chain through predator-prey interactions. The size of the microplastic determined which organisms could ingest it, and some particles remained inside cells for up to 14 days. This is important because it shows microplastics enter the food web at the very lowest level, meaning contamination can accumulate through every step up to fish and eventually to humans.
Retention of microplastics by biofilms and their ingestion by protists in rivers
Researchers found that biofilms (thin layers of microorganisms) growing on surfaces in rivers trap microplastics at concentrations up to 10 times higher than the surrounding water. Single-celled organisms living in these biofilms then eat the concentrated microplastics, and their intake increases with higher pollution levels. This means biofilms act as microplastic concentrators in rivers, creating hotspots where organisms are exposed to much higher levels than the water alone would suggest.
Multigenerational toxicity of microplastics derived from two types of agricultural mulching films to Folsomia candida
This study tested whether microplastics from agricultural plastic mulch films affected springtail reproduction over five generations. Surprisingly, neither biodegradable nor conventional plastic microplastics caused significant harm to survival or reproduction at environmentally relevant levels. While reassuring for soil invertebrates, the study only looked at one species, and other organisms may respond differently to these common agricultural contaminants.
Airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition across the Weser River catchment
Researchers measured airborne microplastic concentrations and deposition rates across the Weser River catchment in Germany, sampling urban, suburban, and rural locations. They found that microplastics were present in the atmosphere at all sites, with higher concentrations near wastewater treatment plants and urban areas. The study estimates that atmospheric deposition is a meaningful pathway for microplastic contamination of river systems.
Organic fertilizer as a vehicle for the entry of microplastic into the environment
Researchers analyzed organic fertilizers produced from biowaste composting and fermentation and found microplastic particles in all samples tested. The contamination likely enters the fertilizer through improperly sorted household waste that includes plastic packaging and other synthetic materials. The study identifies organic fertilizer application as a previously overlooked pathway for introducing microplastics into agricultural soils, which could have implications for soil health and food safety.
Chronic poly(l-lactide) (PLA)- microplastic ingestion affects social behavior of juvenile European perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Researchers fed juvenile perch a biodegradable plastic (PLA) for six months and found it significantly altered their social behavior, making them more reactive to other fish. While PLA did not affect growth or gene expression, it reduced locomotion and predator responses. The study suggests even biodegradable plastics can have behavioral toxicity in aquatic animals.
Tackling the Challenge of Extracting Microplastics from Soils: A Protocol to Purify Soil Samples for Spectroscopic Analysis
Researchers developed a new laboratory method for extracting microplastics from soil samples so they can be identified using infrared spectroscopy. The protocol combines freeze-drying, sieving, density separation, and enzymatic digestion to remove more than 99.9% of mineral material and 77% of organic matter. Testing confirmed the method preserves common plastic types like polyethylene and polyamide, though biodegradable polylactic acid showed some degradation during processing.
Environmental exposure enhances the internalization of microplastic particles into cells
Researchers discovered that microplastic particles exposed to natural environmental conditions are taken up by cells at significantly higher rates than pristine, lab-fresh plastic particles. The study suggests that environmental weathering changes the surface properties of microplastics in ways that make them more likely to be absorbed into living tissue, which has important implications for understanding real-world exposure.