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Papers
91 resultsShowing papers from University of Southern Denmark
ClearIs microplastic an oxidative stressor? Evidence from a meta-analysis on bivalves
Microplastics induce time-dependent oxidative stress in bivalves, with antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, SOD) increasing during short-term exposure but declining after long-term exposure, while glutathione levels and catalase activity remained elevated throughout and may serve as reliable biomarkers of sublethal microplastic effects.
Nano/micro-plastic, an invisible threat getting into the brain
This editorial highlights growing evidence that nano- and microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier through the bloodstream and nasal passages, triggering neuroinflammation and potentially contributing to brain disorders. The authors call for urgent multidisciplinary research to understand the pathways by which these plastic particles reach the brain and what long-term neurological damage they may cause.
Environmental occurrence, fate, impact, and potential solution of tire microplastics: Similarities and differences with tire wear particles
This review examines tire microplastics, one of the most abundant types of microplastics in the environment, which come from tire wear on roads, recycled tire rubber, and tire repair dust. These particles carry a complex mix of chemicals including heavy metals and organic pollutants that can harm aquatic and soil organisms. Since tire microplastics end up in waterways and soil near roads, they represent a significant but often overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.
When microplastics meet microalgae: Unveiling the dynamic formation of aggregates and their impact on toxicity and environmental health
Researchers studied what happens when microplastics and algae meet in water, finding that algae colonize plastic surfaces and form clumps that absorb more toxic metals like copper than bare microplastics alone. This matters for human health because these microplastic-algae clumps can concentrate pollutants in aquatic food chains that eventually lead to the seafood on our plates.
Tracing and trapping micro- and nanoplastics: Untapped mitigation potential of aquatic plants?
Researchers used fluorescently labeled polystyrene particles to trace microplastic and nanoplastic uptake in three aquatic plant species, finding that nanoplastics concentrated primarily in roots via apoplastic transport with bioconcentration factors up to 306, suggesting floating plants like water hyacinth may be useful for removing plastic from contaminated water.
Physiological response of mussel to rayon microfibers and PCB's exposure: Overlooked semi-synthetic micropollutant?
Researchers found that rayon microfibers — semi-synthetic plastic-like fibers common in marine environments — made the toxic effects of PCBs (a type of industrial chemical pollutant) worse in mussels, damaging their immune and digestive systems and disrupting their gut bacteria in ways that didn't fully recover. This suggests rayon fibers deserve the same regulatory attention as conventional microplastics.
Cutting Boards: An Overlooked Source of Microplastics in Human Food?
Scientists found that plastic cutting boards release significant amounts of microplastics into food during everyday chopping. Polypropylene boards shed more particles than polyethylene, and chopping vegetables produced even more microplastics than chopping on empty boards. The researchers estimated that a person could be exposed to 7 to 50 grams of microplastic per year just from cutting board use, making kitchen tools a surprisingly large source of dietary plastic exposure.
Micro- and nanoplastics: A new cardiovascular risk factor?
This review examines the growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may pose risks to the heart and blood vessels. Studies in animals and cell cultures show that these tiny plastic particles can enter the bloodstream, trigger inflammation, promote blood clotting, and damage blood vessel walls. While human data is still limited, the review suggests that micro- and nanoplastic exposure should be considered a potential new risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Majority of potable water microplastics are smaller than the 20 μm EU methodology limit for consumable water quality
Researchers tested ten brands of bottled water and found that 98% of the microplastic particles were smaller than 20 micrometers, which is below the detection limit set by EU drinking water regulations. This means current testing methods miss the vast majority of microplastics in drinking water. The smallest particles are also the most concerning for health because they are more likely to pass through the gut lining and enter the bloodstream.
Swim in Plastics: Clean Nanoplastics Cause Minimal Mortality but Alter Neurobehavioral and Molecular Rhythms in Fish
This zebrafish study found that even clean nanoplastics with no added chemicals caused changes in behavior and disrupted the body's internal clock at the molecular level, despite not causing death. Different surface charges on the nanoplastics triggered different effects, with positively charged particles being the most disruptive. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can affect brain function and biological rhythms at exposure levels that might appear safe based on survival alone.
Low particle concentrations of nanoplastics impair the gut health of medaka
Researchers exposed Japanese medaka fish to low concentrations of nanoplastics for three months and observed significant damage to gut health, including tissue injury, impaired digestive enzymes, weakened immunity, and disrupted gut bacteria. Even at particle concentrations considered environmentally realistic, the nanoplastics caused measurable harm and increased mortality. The study suggests that long-term exposure to low levels of nanoplastics may pose greater risks to fish health than previously assumed.
A Review of Microplastics in Table Salt, Drinking Water, and Air: Direct Human Exposure
This review examined 46 studies on microplastics found in table salt, drinking water, and air to estimate total human exposure. Researchers found that inhalation, particularly of indoor air, is the largest source of microplastic exposure, with estimates reaching up to 30 million particles per person per year. The study calls for urgent research into the potential health effects of this lifetime inevitable exposure to microplastics.
Combined toxic effects of nanoplastics and norfloxacin on mussel: Leveraging biochemical parameters and gut microbiota
Researchers exposed mussels to nanoplastics and the antibiotic norfloxacin, both alone and together, and found that the combination caused greater biochemical stress than either pollutant alone. Nanoplastics appeared to carry the antibiotic into mussel tissues, increasing its bioavailability and impact on gut microbiota. The findings suggest that nanoplastics can amplify the toxicity of other contaminants in marine organisms.
Toxicity mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics in marine mussels revealed by high-coverage quantitative metabolomics using chemical isotope labeling liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Scientists used an advanced metabolomics technique to study how polystyrene microplastics affect marine mussels at the molecular level, identifying nearly 3,600 metabolic compounds. The study found that microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations disrupted amino acid metabolism, leading to oxidative stress and immune system effects. Encouragingly, after a week-long recovery period, the mussels largely returned to normal, suggesting these toxic effects may be reversible.
Still Arctic?—The changing Barents Sea
Researchers reviewed the current state of the Barents Sea, one of the Arctic regions experiencing the most dramatic climate and ecosystem changes. The study documents rising temperatures, shrinking sea ice, and shifts in marine species distribution over recent decades. The findings indicate that the Barents Sea is transitioning away from its traditional Arctic character, with implications for fisheries, biodiversity, and pollution patterns including microplastic transport.
The “Microplastome” – A Holistic Perspective to Capture the Real-World Ecology of Microplastics
This paper introduces the concept of the "microplastome," a framework for studying microplastics along with everything attached to them, including absorbed chemicals and colonizing microbes, as a unified system. The authors argue that current research too often looks at microplastics in isolation, when in reality the attached pollutants and bacteria may be just as important for understanding health effects. This more complete approach could lead to better risk assessments of how microplastic pollution actually affects ecosystems and human health.
Marine mussel metabolism under stress: Dual effects of nanoplastics and coastal hypoxia
This study examined how nanoplastics and low oxygen levels together affect marine mussels, finding that both stressors disrupted the animals' internal balance and energy metabolism. The combination of nanoplastics and oxygen-depleted water was more harmful than either stressor alone, damaging cellular defenses against oxidative stress. Since mussels are widely consumed as seafood, these findings raise questions about the safety of shellfish harvested from polluted, oxygen-poor coastal waters.
Key mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) toxicity across taxonomic groups
This review examines the key ways micro- and nanoplastics cause biological harm across different types of organisms, from bacteria to humans. Researchers identified several common toxicity mechanisms including cell membrane damage, reactive oxygen species generation, DNA damage, and disruption of cellular structures like lysosomes and mitochondria. The study found that toxicity depends heavily on particle size, surface characteristics, and polymer type, and that human cell studies provide especially valuable insights into potential health risks.
Micro(nano)plastics in the fish gastrointestinal tract: A mini review and relevance to One Health perspective
Researchers reviewed how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in fish digestive systems and enter the broader food web, highlighting that the fish gut acts as a critical pathway for these particles — and the chemicals stuck to them — to travel from the environment into the human food supply.
Time to integrate “One Health Approach” into nanoplastic research
This commentary argues that nanoplastic research needs to adopt a "One Health" framework that considers the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems as deeply interconnected rather than studying each in isolation. Applying this approach could lead to more comprehensive and actionable findings about how nanoplastics affect living systems across scales.
Toward the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System
Researchers proposed a framework for an integrated marine debris observing system that would combine remote sensing, in situ measurements, and computer modeling to monitor plastic pollution globally. The study outlines how optical sensors, satellite imagery, and citizen science programs could work together to track debris sources, pathways, and accumulation patterns. The system aims to support policy decisions and operational cleanup efforts by providing reliable long-term data on the state of ocean plastic pollution.
The power of green: Harnessing phytoremediation to combat micro/nanoplastics
This review explores how plants and plant-based systems can be used to capture and remove micro- and nanoplastics from contaminated soil and water environments. Researchers found that certain plant species can absorb, trap, or break down plastic particles through their root systems and associated microorganisms. The study suggests that phytoremediation, or using plants to clean up pollution, could become a scalable and environmentally friendly strategy for tackling plastic contamination.
Exploring Microbial-Based Green Nanobiotechnology for Wastewater Remediation: A Sustainable Strategy
This review examines how microbial-based green nanotechnology can serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Researchers found that nanoparticles synthesized using microorganisms offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly approach to removing a broad range of water contaminants. The study compares the performance of these green nanomaterials against traditional treatment methods across factors like reusability, efficiency, and scalability.
Network analysis reveals significant joint effects of microplastics and tetracycline on the gut than the gill microbiome of marine medaka
Researchers used network analysis to study the joint effects of polystyrene microplastics and the antibiotic tetracycline on the gut and gill microbiomes of marine medaka fish over 30 days. The study found that combined exposure had more profound effects on the gut than the gill microbiome, reducing the complexity and stability of gut microbial networks.