Papers

Removal of Antibiotics by Biochars: A Critical Review

This review analyzes how biochars, which are carbon-rich materials made from organic waste, can remove antibiotics from water. While not directly about microplastics, the research is relevant because both antibiotics and microplastics are emerging water contaminants, and microplastics can carry antibiotic residues that promote drug-resistant bacteria. Better water treatment methods that address multiple contaminants could help reduce human exposure to both pollutants.

Elaboration and Characterization of Bioactive Films Obtained from the Incorporation of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid into a Matrix of Sodium Alginate

This study found that incorporating cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) into sodium alginate biopolymer films improved thermal resistance and bioactive properties but reduced tensile strength and microstructural homogeneity at higher concentrations. The 0.5% CNSL inclusion level provided the best balance of mechanical and barrier properties. Alginate-based biofilms represent a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging that generates microplastic pollution as it degrades.

Microplastic pollution in Southern Atlantic marine waters: Review of current trends, sources, and perspectives

This review examines the current state of microplastic pollution research in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, where contamination levels are among the highest found globally. Researchers found that despite the severity of pollution, relatively few studies have been conducted in this region, and there is still no consensus on standardized sampling methods. The study calls for more research on microplastic distribution, chemical interactions, and potential risks to both marine ecosystems and human health.

Interactive effects of microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene on two species of marine invertebrates

Researchers found that low-density polyethylene microplastics alone did not cause toxicity to sea urchin embryos or mysids, but their interaction with benzo[a]pyrene modified the pollutant's bioavailability and toxicity in marine invertebrates at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Organic contamination of beached plastic pellets in the South Atlantic: Risk assessments can benefit by considering spatial gradients

PAH and PCB concentrations were measured on microplastic pellets collected along 39 km of Brazilian South Atlantic coastline, finding total PAH concentrations of 1,454–6,002 ng/g (frequently exceeding EPA sediment threshold effect levels) with a north-to-south spatial gradient. The study demonstrates significant organic pollutant loading on coastal plastic pellets and recommends spatially targeted risk assessments.

A Review about the Mycoremediation of Soil Impacted by War-like Activities: Challenges and Gaps

This review examines the potential of mycoremediation, using fungi to clean up soils contaminated by war-related activities such as military training and shooting ranges. Researchers found that while fungi have shown success in removing metals, explosives, and other war-derived pollutants in lab settings, real-world applications in conflict zones remain extremely limited. The study identifies scaling up from laboratory to field conditions as the primary challenge for this emerging remediation approach.

Pollutants in the South Atlantic Ocean: Sources, Knowledge Gaps and Perspectives for the Decade of Ocean Science

This regional review summarized major pollution issues in the South Atlantic Ocean — including microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, and oil — identifying critical knowledge gaps and priority research questions that emerged from workshops planning the UN Decade of Ocean Science activities for the region.

A Synthesis of Provision and Impact in Seagrass Ecosystem Services in the Brazilian Southwest Atlantic

This synthesis reviewed seagrass ecosystem services along the Brazilian southwest Atlantic coast, screening over 30,000 search results to identify 394 relevant studies. The study found that while seagrasses provide crucial provisioning and supporting services including fisheries support and coastal protection, coastal urbanization and marine food harvesting are the primary drivers negatively impacting these ecosystems.

Bioaccessibility of Trace Metals and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Microplastic

Researchers measured the bioaccessibility of trace metals and rare earth elements adsorbed onto beach microplastics using simulated digestive fluid conditions. Metals were released from microplastic surfaces under stomach acid conditions, indicating that plastic ingestion can deliver these contaminants to digestive systems of marine organisms and humans.

Difficulties in Comparison Among Different Microplastic Studies: The Inconsistency of Results and Lack of Guide Values

This commentary examines the inconsistency of results across microplastic studies, arguing that differences in sampling methods, size thresholds, polymer identification protocols, and reporting formats make it nearly impossible to compare findings across studies or establish guide values for environmental management.

Plastic pellets make Excirolana armata more aggressive: Intraspecific interactions and isopod mortality differences between populations

Exposure to plastic pellet leachates made the intertidal isopod Excirolana armata significantly more aggressive in intraspecific interactions, suggesting that chemical contamination from microplastics can alter animal behavior and potentially affect population dynamics.

The flourishing and vulnerabilities of zoantharians on Southwestern Atlantic reefs

A survey of zoantharians in Southwestern Atlantic reefs found that nutrient excess and organic pollution are driving hard coral habitat degradation and enabling zoantharian dominance, with microplastic pollution identified as an additional stressor threatening reef health in the region.

Climate change and microplastic effects on conidial fungal assemblages associated with leaf litter in an Amazonian stream

In an Amazonian stream, climate change and microplastic pollution are not independent threats — they interact and compound each other's damage to aquatic ecosystems. A microcosm experiment found that warming temperatures (simulating climate change) and microplastic exposure together suppressed the reproductive output of aquatic fungi beyond what either stressor caused alone, potentially reducing the ability of these ecosystems to break down leaf litter. Since fungal decomposition is the foundation of nutrient cycling in tropical forest streams, these combined effects could have cascading consequences for one of Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems.

Estratégias de produção mais limpa aplicadas à uma indústria de cosméticos

Despite its title referencing cleaner production strategies in cosmetics manufacturing, this paper is written in Portuguese and examines environmental efficiency improvements in a small Brazilian hair conditioner factory — not microplastic pollution. It proposes process modifications to reduce waste and emissions and is not directly relevant to microplastics or human health.

<scp>MICROMar</scp> Project: The Largest Standardized Assessment of Microplastic Pollution Across Southwestern Atlantic Coastal Ecosystems

Coastal Ocean Observing and Modeling Systems in Brazil: Initiatives and Future Perspectives

This overview described Brazilian coastal ocean observing and modeling initiatives involving universities, companies, and federal agencies, identifying opportunities to expand existing ocean physics infrastructure to include biogeochemistry and marine biodiversity monitoring in support of sustainable Blue Economy development.

Virgin Plastic Pellets May Cause Toxic Effects to Embryos of the Sand Dollar Mellita quinquiesperforata: a Preliminary Study

Researchers found that virgin plastic pellets made of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene caused toxic effects on embryos of the sand dollar Mellita quinquiesperforata, suggesting that plastic additives may play a role in embryotoxicity.

Seaweeds and Corals from the Brazilian Coast: Review on Biotechnological Potential and Environmental Aspects

This is a biotechnology review covering the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential of Brazilian seaweeds and corals, noting as context that microplastic bioaccumulation in these organisms poses environmental risks; it is not primarily a microplastics research paper.

Plastic Pellets Make Excirolana Armata More Aggressive: Intraspecific Interactions and Isopod Mortality Differences between Populations

Litter Reduction during Beach Closure in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Quantifying the Impact of Users on Beach Litter Generation

Researchers found that closing urban beaches during COVID-19 lockdowns in northeastern Brazil reduced beach litter by 49% overall and locally discarded litter by 88%, demonstrating that direct human presence is the primary driver of beach litter accumulation.

Plastic pellets make Excirolana armata more aggressive: Intraspecific interactions and mortality in field and laboratory ecotoxicological assays

Researchers found that exposure to beach-stranded plastic pellets increased mortality and aggressive intraspecific behavior in the marine isopod Excirolana armata, with effects observed even at low pellet densities in both field and laboratory settings.

Microplastic distribution and elemental signatures in mangrove and beach sediments of a tropical bay: implications for pollutant vectoring

Emerging contaminants – general aspects: sources, substances involved, and quantification

This review covers a range of emerging environmental contaminants — including microplastics in water bodies, pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and medical-use metals — discussing their sources, harmful effects, and detection methods. It provides useful context for understanding how microplastics fit into the broader landscape of modern chemical pollution threatening human and ecosystem health.

Microplastic ingestion by fish from beaches with different characteristics in a tropical bay