Papers

Alteration of shoaling behavior and dysbiosis in the gut of medaka (Oryzias latipes) exposed to 2-μm polystyrene microplastics

Scientists exposed small freshwater fish (medaka) to fine polystyrene microplastics and found that the fish stopped schooling together -- a key social behavior -- during the exposure period, though the behavior recovered after exposure ended. The microplastics also disrupted the fish's gut bacteria, reducing beneficial species that produce short-chain fatty acids known to influence brain function through the gut-brain connection. This suggests microplastics may alter animal behavior by disrupting the gut microbiome.

Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs

Researchers conducted the first standardized cross-national survey of plastic debris in 38 lakes and reservoirs, finding plastic in every water body sampled and showing that densely populated urban lakes and large reservoirs with long water-retention times accumulate plastic at concentrations rivaling the most polluted ocean garbage patches.

Estimation of the age of polyethylene microplastics collected from oceans: Application to the western North Pacific Ocean

Scientists developed a method to estimate how long polyethylene microplastics have been floating in the ocean by measuring their chemical degradation level and matching it to UV exposure data. They applied this technique to samples from the western North Pacific and estimated ages ranging from months to years. Knowing the age of ocean microplastics helps researchers trace where plastic pollution originates and how far ocean currents carry it.

Phase and sulfur vacancy engineering in cadmium sulfide for boosting hydrogen production from catalytic plastic waste photoconversion

Investigation of pulmonary toxicity evaluation on mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics: The potential protective role of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine

Researchers investigated lung damage in mice exposed to inhaled polystyrene nanoplastics and tested whether the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine could offer protection. They found that nanoplastics caused significant lung inflammation, tissue damage, and oxidative stress, but N-acetylcysteine treatment helped reduce these harmful effects. The study suggests that oxidative stress is a key mechanism behind nanoplastic-induced lung injury and points to potential protective strategies.

Size-dependent deleterious effects of nano- and microplastics on sperm motility

In a mouse study, nano- and microplastics of four different sizes all impaired sperm movement quality, with the smallest particles (25-30 nanometers) causing the most damage. The tiny particles were able to penetrate into testicular cells, while larger particles could not. This research adds to growing evidence that microplastic exposure at environmentally realistic levels could contribute to declining male fertility, with nanoplastics posing the greatest risk due to their ability to enter reproductive tissues.

Aquatic microplastics research in the ASEAN region: Analysis of challenges and priorities

This systematic review analyzes the state of microplastic research across Southeast Asian countries and identifies gaps in how studies are conducted. The researchers found inconsistent methods being used across the region, making it hard to compare results or understand the true scale of contamination. Standardizing how microplastics are measured is important because it will give us a clearer picture of how much plastic pollution people in the region are exposed to.

Photo-oxidative Degradation and Biodegradation of Poly(ether-<i>block</i>-amide) Multiblock Copolymers

This study examined how poly(ether-block-amide) copolymers, used in many consumer products, break down under UV light and in seawater. The researchers found that UV exposure accelerated the subsequent biodegradation of these plastics, with nylon-containing versions breaking down faster. Understanding how different plastics degrade is important for predicting what types of microplastic and nanoplastic fragments will end up in the environment and potentially in the food chain.

Brookite TiO2 as an active photocatalyst for photoconversion of plastic wastes to acetic acid and simultaneous hydrogen production: Comparison with anatase and rutile

Researchers found that a specific form of titanium dioxide called brookite can use sunlight to simultaneously break down PET plastic waste and produce hydrogen fuel. The process converts microplastics in water into acetic acid (vinegar), offering a way to both clean up plastic pollution and generate clean energy. This technology could eventually help address microplastic contamination in water while producing a useful byproduct.

Fragmentation of expanded polystyrene to microplastics by wharf roach Ligia spp.

Researchers discovered that wharf roaches, common coastal crustaceans found throughout the Pacific region, actively graze on expanded polystyrene and fragment it into microplastics as small as 2 micrometers. In field surveys along Japanese coastlines, these animals were found to ingest polystyrene more frequently than other types of plastic. The study reveals a previously unrecognized biological pathway by which large plastic debris gets broken down into microplastics in coastal environments.

Impact of high-pressure columbite phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on catalytic photoconversion of plastic waste and simultaneous hydrogen (H2) production

Abundance and potential sources of floating polystyrene foam macro- and microplastics around Japan

Researchers surveyed floating polystyrene foam debris in waters around Japan over seven years using ship-based observations and net sampling. They found that concentrations were consistently higher in the Sea of Japan than in the Pacific Ocean south of Japan, likely due to ocean current patterns and transboundary transport. The study provides baseline data on polystyrene foam distribution that can help track pollution sources and inform cleanup efforts.

Microplastic pollution in the gastrointestinal tract of giant river catfish Sperata seenghala (Sykes, 1839) from the Meghna River, Bangladesh

Researchers examined the digestive tracts of giant river catfish from the Meghna River in Bangladesh and found microplastics in 90 percent of the fish sampled. The most common particles were polypropylene-polyethylene fragments smaller than 100 micrometers, with the highest contamination near densely populated areas. The findings add to growing evidence that freshwater fish in South Asian rivers are widely contaminated with microplastics.

Small microplastic ingestion by the calanoid Centropages furcatus in the Gulf of Thailand

Researchers analyzed small microplastics ingested by the copepod Centropages furcatus in the Gulf of Thailand and found plastic particles in every sample examined. The average ingestion rate was among the highest recorded for this type of zooplankton, with polypropylene fragments smaller than 50 micrometers being the most common. The findings suggest that these tiny organisms could transfer significant amounts of microplastics up through the marine food chain.

Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution around Si Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across different monsoon seasons and found that seasonal weather patterns strongly influence microplastic abundance and distribution. Evidence suggests that UV exposure during dry seasons fragments plastic waste on land, which is then washed into the ocean by heavy rains during the wet season. The findings highlight how tropical climate cycles drive microplastic contamination in Southeast Asian coral reef areas.

An inshore–offshore sorting system revealed from global classification of ocean litter

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.

Investigation of indoor microplastics in settled indoor house dust in single‐person residential buildings in Japan

Researchers collected house dust from single-person households across four regions of Japan and analyzed it for microplastic content using infrared spectroscopy. The study investigated how building materials, flooring, and wall types influence the types and amounts of microplastics found indoors. The findings help fill a significant knowledge gap about indoor microplastic exposure in Japanese homes and could inform strategies to reduce household plastic particle exposure.

Uptake and depuration kinetics of microplastics with different polymer types and particle sizes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Researchers studied the uptake and depuration kinetics of microplastics with different polymer types and sizes in Japanese medaka fish. They found that smaller particles accumulated more readily in fish tissues and were retained longer than larger ones, with particle distribution varying by organ. The study provides important quantitative data on how microplastic characteristics influence their accumulation and clearance in fish, which is relevant to understanding food chain transfer.

Comparative evaluation of the carbonyl index of microplastics around the Japan coast

Researchers evaluated the carbonyl index of nearly 3,000 polyethylene and polypropylene microplastic particles collected from coastal waters around Japan. The study found that the degree of weathering, as measured by the carbonyl index, varied by geographic location but showed no significant differences based on particle color or shape, providing insight into how microplastics degrade in marine environments.

Microplastics from face mask impairs sperm motility

Researchers fed mice microplastics derived from face masks for 21 days and found that while overall body weight and sperm counts were unaffected, sperm motility was significantly impaired. Gene expression analysis revealed disruptions in pathways related to sperm development, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the testes. The findings suggest that microplastics shed from disposable face masks could pose risks to male reproductive health.

Hydrolyzable and biocompatible aliphatic polycarbonates with ether-functionalized side chains attached via amide linkers

Researchers developed new biodegradable polycarbonate plastics with water-attracting side chains that break down almost completely in body-like conditions within 30 days. These materials showed good biocompatibility in cell tests, suggesting they could be useful for medical implants or devices that need to safely dissolve inside the body over time.

The benefits and negative impacts of citizen science applications to water as experienced by participants and communities

Researchers surveyed participants in citizen science water monitoring projects to understand both the benefits and challenges of public involvement in scientific research. They found that while citizen science projects generate valuable data and increase public awareness of water issues, participants also reported frustrations with technology, data quality concerns, and unclear communication from project organizers. The study offers recommendations for improving citizen science program design to enhance both scientific outcomes and participant satisfaction.

Spectral analysis of environmental microplastic polyethylene (PE) using average spectra

Researchers analyzed the spectral properties of polyethylene microplastics collected from Tokyo Bay's surface waters. The study found that the shape, color, and weathering history of microplastic particles all affect their spectral signatures, and suggests that using oxidized polyethylene as a reference standard may improve the accuracy of identifying environmental microplastics.