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Papers
52 resultsShowing papers from Nanjing University of Science and Technology
ClearA comprehensive review on the source, ingestion route, attachment and toxicity of microplastics/nanoplastics in human systems
This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics enter the human body through eating, breathing, and skin contact, then spread to organs throughout all nine major body systems. The particles cause harm mainly through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted metabolism, with the digestive and respiratory systems being most affected since they are the primary entry points.
Interactions of Micro- and Nanoplastics with Biomolecules: From Public Health to Protein Corona Effect and Beyond
This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics interact with biological molecules in the body, including cell membranes and proteins. These particles can cause membranes to thicken and form pores, and they attract a coating of proteins (called a protein corona) that changes how the body responds to them, potentially increasing inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of hormone systems.
Municipal solid waste management challenges in developing regions: A comprehensive review and future perspectives for Asia and Africa
Researchers reviewed a decade of municipal solid waste challenges in developing countries across Asia and Africa, finding that inadequate infrastructure, cultural barriers, and poor policy enforcement are driving waste crises. The study recommends source-level sorting, improved landfill practices, and stronger community involvement rather than focusing solely on recycling.
Utilization of sewage sludge to manage saline–alkali soil and increase crop production: Is it safe or not?
This review examines whether using treated sewage sludge to improve salty, alkaline farmland soils is safe for crops and human health. While sludge adds beneficial nutrients and organic matter that help plants grow in these difficult soils, it can also introduce heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants. The authors stress that careful monitoring and treatment standards are needed to prevent these pollutants from entering the food supply.
Identification and Visualization of Polystyrene Microplastics/Nanoplastics in Flavored Yogurt by Raman Imaging
Researchers developed a method using Raman imaging to detect and measure polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in flavored yogurt, identifying particles as small as 1 to 10 micrometers. Polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene were all found in commercial yogurt samples, highlighting that microplastic contamination in everyday foods is measurable and raises questions about cumulative dietary exposure.
Deciphering the inhibition mechanisms of microplastics on the full-stage sludge anaerobic digestion via enrichment to anaerobic microbes and toxicity of released compounds
This study found that microplastics in sewage sludge significantly interfere with the waste treatment process by reducing the activity of key microorganisms needed to break down waste. More than half of the negative effect came from toxic chemicals released when microplastic particles rub against sludge, and the disrupted treatment also increased the risk of spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Hydroxylase-like Biomimetic Nanozyme Synthesized <i>via</i> a Urea-Mediated MOF Pyrolytic Reconstruction Strategy for Non-“<i>o</i>-Phenol hydroxyl”-Dependent Dopamine Electrochemical Sensing
Scientists developed a new sensor that can specifically detect dopamine, an important brain chemical, using a specially designed nanomaterial that mimics the behavior of a natural enzyme. The sensor can distinguish dopamine from similar molecules and was tested on living cells exposed to microplastics. This tool could help researchers better study how microplastic exposure affects brain chemistry.
The impact of microplastic and sulfanilamide co-exposure on soil microbiota
This study investigated what happens when microplastics and the antibiotic sulfanilamide are present together in soil, finding that the combination significantly altered soil microbial communities compared to either pollutant alone. Both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics interacted with the antibiotic to change bacterial diversity and soil chemistry. The results show that microplastics and antibiotics in agricultural soil can have compounding effects on soil health, potentially affecting the crops grown in it.
Optimize lettuce washing methods to reduce the risk of microplastics ingestion: The evidence from microplastics residues on the surface of lettuce leaves and in the lettuce washing wastewater
Researchers tested different methods for washing lettuce to remove microplastic particles that settle on leaves from the air, comparing water rinsing, ultrasonic cleaning, and edible detergent washing. They found that ultrasonic cleaning was most effective at removing microplastics from leaf surfaces, while simple water rinsing left significant residues behind. The study provides practical guidance for reducing microplastic ingestion from leafy vegetables.
Enhanced propagation of intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in municipal wastewater by microplastics
Researchers investigated how microplastics in municipal wastewater can carry and promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, including those found both inside and outside bacterial cells. They found that microplastics adsorbed both types of resistance genes and enhanced their transfer between bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. The study reveals that microplastics in wastewater systems may act as an underappreciated accelerator of antibiotic resistance spread.
Probabilistic risk assessment of microplastics in Tai Lake, China
Researchers assessed the ecological risk of microplastic pollution across Tai Lake in China, finding concentrations ranging from zero to over 18 particles per liter in the lake and much higher in connected rivers. Using toxicity data, they determined that some areas pose moderate to high risk to aquatic life. Since Tai Lake is an important freshwater resource, this contamination raises concerns about microplastics entering drinking water and fish consumed by local communities.
The Application of Metal–Organic Frameworks in Water Treatment and Their Large-Scale Preparation: A Review
This review examines metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), highly porous materials being developed for water treatment that can remove pollutants including microplastics through filtration and catalytic breakdown. MOFs have exceptional surface area and can be tailored to target specific contaminants, making them promising for advanced water purification. The challenge remains scaling up MOF production for real-world water treatment use, which could help reduce human exposure to microplastics in drinking water.
Cerebral neurotoxicity of amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics in mice and the protective effects of functional food Camellia pollen
In a mouse study, amino-modified polystyrene nanoplastics crossed the blood-brain barrier and accumulated in brain tissue, activating genes associated with Alzheimer's disease. The nanoplastics damaged the protective barrier around the brain, triggered harmful processes in neurons, and promoted the formation of a protein linked to brain degeneration. The research also found that Camellia pollen, a natural food product, could partially protect the brain from this nanoplastic-induced damage.
Endocrine disrupting effect and reproductive toxicity of the separate exposure and co-exposure of nano-polystyrene and diethylstilbestrol to zebrafish
Researchers exposed zebrafish to nano-polystyrene and the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol separately and together, finding that combined exposure caused additive disruption of sex hormones and vitellogenin, a dramatic drop in egg production from 1,031 to 306, and a 65% embryo abnormality rate — substantially worse than either pollutant alone.
Physiological responses and molecular mechanism of Chlorella sorokiniana to surgical mask exudates in wastewater
Researchers studied how chemical compounds leaching from surgical masks in wastewater affect the growth of the microalga Chlorella sorokiniana. They found that even at environmentally realistic concentrations, surgical mask exudates inhibited algal growth by disrupting photosynthesis and causing oxidative stress. The study highlights an overlooked consequence of pandemic-related plastic waste on wastewater treatment systems that rely on microalgae.
Reductive soil disinfestation influences microbial aging of low-density polyethylene and polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics and microbial communities in plastispheres
Researchers examined how a soil treatment method called reductive soil disinfestation affects the breakdown of conventional and biodegradable microplastics in agricultural soil. They found that the treatment slowed the degradation of conventional polyethylene microplastics but accelerated the breakdown of biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate plastics. The study reveals that soil management practices can significantly influence how long different types of microplastics persist in farmland.
Species sensitivity distributions of microplastics based on toxicity endpoints and particle characteristics: Implications of assessing ecological risk in Tai Lake
Researchers used species sensitivity distributions to assess the ecological risk of microplastics in Tai Lake, China, finding that fiber-shaped particles and PVC plastics posed the greatest threat. Fish were identified as the most sensitive group compared to crustaceans and mollusks, and particles in the 100 to 1,000 micrometer range showed the highest toxicity. The study provides a framework for evaluating which types and sizes of microplastics pose the greatest ecological concern in freshwater lakes.
Visible-light-sensitive microrobots using H2O as fuel for highly efficient capture and precise detection of nanoplastics
Researchers developed a cage-like microrobot powered by visible light and water that captures nanoplastics from solution within two minutes and detects them at low concentrations using surface-enhanced Raman scattering, with the robot recoverable via magnet for reuse.
Polymer type and aging drive the selective enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes and pathogens in microplastics biofilms
Researchers compared how microorganisms colonize conventional polypropylene versus biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics in a wetland environment. They found that while biodegradable PLA attracted fewer total microbes, it actually enriched a higher proportion of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and resistance genes, especially after environmental aging. The findings raise important questions about whether biodegradable plastics may pose unexpected risks as carriers of antibiotic resistance in aquatic ecosystems.
Microplastics in Tai lake food web: Trophic transfer and human health risk assessment
Researchers modeled the flow of microplastics through the entire food web of Tai Lake, China, and estimated the amount that ultimately reaches humans who eat seafood from the lake. They found that microplastics accumulate at each level of the food chain, with top predators and human consumers receiving the highest concentrations. The study provides a quantitative framework for assessing human health risks from microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems that support fishing and tourism industries.
Mechanism Involved in Polyvinyl Chloride Nanoplastics Induced Anaerobic Granular Sludge Disintegration: Microbial Interaction Energy, EPS Molecular Structure, and Metabolism Functions
Researchers investigated why polyvinyl chloride nanoplastics cause anaerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment to break apart. They found that the nanoplastics weakened microbial interactions, altered the structure of key biological compounds, and disrupted metabolic functions essential for sludge stability. The study matters because sludge disintegration reduces wastewater treatment efficiency, potentially allowing more pollutants to enter the environment.
An ethyl cellulose-coated bacterial cellulose based hydrophobic and degradable straw-like materials towards drinking straws
Researchers developed a microplastic-free drinking straw by coating bacterial cellulose with ethyl cellulose, achieving strong mechanical performance (66.82 MPa bending strength), water-repellent surfaces, and complete soil biodegradation within 20 days — outperforming conventional polylactic acid straws on both durability and environmental decomposition.
Biodegradable microplastics aging processes accelerated by returning straw in paddy soil
Researchers examined how returning straw to flooded paddy soil accelerates the aging and degradation of biodegradable microplastics over a 180-day incubation period. They found that the straw return strategy altered microbial communities in ways that sped up the physical and chemical breakdown of the plastic particles. The study provides important context for understanding how common agricultural practices influence the environmental fate of biodegradable plastics in soil.
The abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commonly consumed shellfish in the Jiangsu coastal region of China
Researchers measured microplastic abundance and characteristics in three commercially consumed shellfish species from Jiangsu, China, finding MPs in all species with clams containing the highest concentrations and fibers from fishing gear and textiles as the dominant type, estimating annual human intake from shellfish consumption.