Papers

Exploring the ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics on freshwater fish: A critical review

This review examines how microplastics affect freshwater fish, which often mistake the tiny particles for food. Once ingested, microplastics do not stay in the gut -- they enter the bloodstream and spread to the gills, liver, brain, heart, and reproductive organs, causing hormonal, immune, neurological, and reproductive problems. Because microplastics build up in the food chain, the contamination of fish has broader implications for other animals and for people who eat freshwater fish.

Tricks and tracks of prevalence, occurrences, treatment technologies, and challenges of mixtures of emerging contaminants in the environment: With special emphasis on microplastic

This review examines how microplastics interact with other emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals in soil and water, often acting as carriers that transport these pollutants into ecosystems. The combined exposure to microplastics and these toxic substances can cause cancer-promoting, hormone-disrupting, and birth-defect-causing effects in living organisms, including humans.

Climate change exacerbates microplastic pollution: Environmental behavior and human health risks

Microplastics, their abundance, and distribution in water and sediments in North Chennai, India: An assessment of pollution risk and human health impacts

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in water and sediment samples from North Chennai, India, finding contamination at all sampling sites. Landfills, densely populated areas, and tourist spots had the highest concentrations, with pollution risk levels ranging from low to extremely high. The presence of microplastics in lake water used for drinking purposes is a concern for human health in the region.

2024 roadmap on membrane desalination technology at the water-energy nexus

This roadmap review covers the latest advances in membrane technology for turning seawater and brackish water into drinking water. While the paper focuses on desalination engineering, it notes that membrane filtration is also being explored as a way to remove microplastics from water supplies, which is relevant to reducing human exposure through drinking water.

Key insights into microplastic pollution in agricultural soils: A comprehensive review of worldwide trends, sources, distribution, characteristics and analytical approaches

Unveiling the presence of micro and nanoplastics in human biological matrices: A systematic review covering the latest five years from 2020 to 2025

This systematic review covering 2020-2025 confirmed the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in human blood, placenta, lungs, liver, kidneys, and other biological matrices. The findings demonstrate that plastic particles are accumulating in human tissues through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, raising urgent questions about long-term health consequences.

Alps at risk: High-mountain lakes as reservoirs of persistent and emerging contaminants

Researchers reviewed contamination of high-mountain lakes in the Alps and found these remote lakes contain persistent organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics despite being far from direct human activity. The pollutants arrive through atmospheric transport and snowmelt, making even the most isolated water bodies vulnerable. These findings are concerning because mountain lakes feed rivers that supply drinking water to millions of people in Europe.

Quantification of nanoplastic uptake and distribution in the root, stem and leaves of the edible herb Lepidum sativum

Scientists confirmed that 100-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics can be absorbed by the roots of the edible herb garden cress and travel up through the stem into the leaves. At high concentrations, the nanoplastics significantly reduced germination, plant weight, and root growth, though environmentally realistic levels did not cause visible harm. This finding raises food safety concerns because nanoplastics in agricultural soil could end up in the edible parts of plants that people consume.

Unveiling microplastic pollution: Evaluating the role of Sinotaia quadrata (Caenogastropoda, Viviparidae) as a monitoring tool in freshwater ecosystems

Researchers evaluated whether the invasive freshwater snail Sinotaia quadrata could serve as a reliable monitoring tool for tracking microplastic pollution in waterways affected by human activity. The types and characteristics of microplastics found in the snails closely matched what was detected in the surrounding water and sediment. The study suggests that these snails could be a practical and cost-effective way to assess microplastic contamination levels in freshwater ecosystems.

Exploring the effect of microparticles on bivalves: Exposure of Mytilus galloprovincialis and Ruditapes philippinarum to both microplastics and silt

Researchers exposed mussels and clams to polyethylene microplastics, natural silt particles, and a combination of both, finding that the mixture caused significantly worse mortality and oxidative stress than either substance alone. Clams were more sensitive to microplastic exposure than mussels, while mussels retained more microplastics in their tissues. The study reveals that the combined presence of natural sediment particles and microplastics in coastal waters creates synergistic harmful effects on filter-feeding shellfish that are greater than the sum of individual exposures.

Environmental fate, toxicological impact, and advanced treatment approaches: Atrazine degradation and emphasises on circular economy strategy

Researchers reviewed how atrazine — a widely used weedkiller that persists long in soil and water — harms aquatic ecosystems, disrupts hormones in animals, and poses cancer risks to humans, while examining chemical, biological, and microbial methods for breaking it down. The study highlights circular economy approaches and life cycle analysis as promising frameworks for reducing atrazine's long-term environmental footprint.

Development of plastic-degrading microbial consortia by induced selection in microcosms

Scientists used a technique called induced selection to develop communities of microorganisms capable of breaking down common plastics, including polyethylene and polystyrene. Over several rounds of enrichment in lab microcosms, the microbial groups that thrived showed measurable ability to degrade these plastics. The study suggests that harnessing naturally occurring soil microbes could offer a sustainable approach to reducing plastic pollution in the environment.

Influence of water chemistry and contaminant occurrence on the oxidative stress ecology of Cottus gobio in a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps)

Researchers examined oxidative stress in a freshwater fish species living in a high-mountain lake in the Italian Alps, analyzing how water chemistry and contaminant levels affected the fish's health. They found seasonal variations in stress biomarkers that correlated with changes in water conditions and the presence of persistent pollutants including microplastics. The study provides insights into how even remote mountain ecosystems are experiencing measurable biological effects from environmental contamination.

Assessment of the sustainability of the European agri-food sector in the context of the circular economy

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Ulvan Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida

Researchers investigated the biological activity of ulvan polysaccharides extracted from the seaweed Ulva rigida, testing them against cancer cell lines and zebrafish embryos. The study found that ulvan showed cytotoxic effects on human colon cancer cells in vitro, but the in vivo zebrafish assays revealed potential toxicity at higher concentrations, suggesting further safety evaluation is needed before therapeutic applications.

Micro plastics mapping in the agricultural sector of Cyprus

Researchers mapped microplastic pollution across agricultural areas in Cyprus, identifying key hotspots and sources of contamination. They found that plastic mulch films, irrigation systems, and fertilizer applications were major contributors to microplastic accumulation in farmland soils. The study emphasizes the need for targeted policies to reduce plastic use in Mediterranean agriculture and protect both soil health and food safety.

Pharmaceuticals and micro(nano)plastics in the environment: Sorption and analytical challenges

This review examines how pharmaceutical residues and micro- and nanoplastics interact in water environments, finding that microplastics can adsorb medications and alter their environmental behavior. Factors like plastic type, surface area, and biological film growth all influence these interactions, but very few studies have been conducted under real-world conditions. The authors highlight persistent analytical challenges and the need for field-based research to understand actual risks.

Sustainable analytical approaches for microplastics in wastewater, sludge, and landfills: Challenges, fate, and green chemistry perspectives

Researchers reviewed how microplastics travel through wastewater, sewage sludge, and landfills into soils and food crops, where they accumulate alongside heavy metals and pharmaceuticals, raising food safety concerns. The study calls for greener analytical methods and standardized reporting to better track and compare microplastic contamination across studies.

Pollination under attack: First insights from Türkiye Plain reveal microplastics in bees from both urban and rural areas

Researchers found microplastics inside honeybees from both urban and rural areas in Turkey, with urban bees carrying significantly higher concentrations — mostly PET plastic fibers — raising concern that microplastic contamination could threaten pollinator health and the agricultural pollination services bees provide.

A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches

Researchers coordinated a global sampling effort across 209 marine turtle nesting beaches in six ocean basins to assess microplastic contamination in beach sediments. They found microplastics present on 45% of beaches, with the Mediterranean showing the highest contamination rate at 80%. The study provides an open-access dataset to support ongoing monitoring of plastic pollution in critical nesting habitats.

Polystyrene nanoplastics and wastewater displayed antagonistic toxic effects due to the sorption of wastewater micropollutants

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics and wastewater micropollutants had antagonistic toxic effects when combined, because the nanoplastics sorbed positively charged pollutants through electrostatic interactions, reducing their bioavailability to aquatic organisms.

Effect of agricultural microplastic and mesoplastic in the vermicomposting process: Response of Eisenia fetida and quality of the vermicomposts obtained

Researchers found that agricultural plastic waste in vermicomposting reduced earthworm survival by 10% and body weight by 15%, altered nutrient content of the resulting compost, and induced oxidative stress regardless of plastic particle size or UV pretreatment.

Overview of global status of plastic presence in marine vertebrates

A review of 112 studies on plastic ingestion by marine vertebrates (sea turtles, cetaceans, fish) found widespread occurrence across species and ocean regions, with methodological inconsistencies preventing reliable global comparisons and underscoring the need for standardized protocols.