Papers

4 results
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Article Tier 2

Novel integrated workflow for microplastics extraction, quantification, and characterization in organic fertilizing residuals using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR)

Researchers developed a reliable method for extracting and measuring microplastics in organic fertilizers like compost and biosolids that are spread on farm fields. The technique successfully detected 19 different plastic types down to very small sizes in fertilizer samples from Quebec, Canada. This is important because organic fertilizers are a major but often unmeasured source of microplastics entering agricultural soil, which can then reach crops and the food supply.

2025 Chemosphere 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in fish from the St. Lawrence River and Estuary: Roles of semisynthetic polymers, passive uptake, and wastewater inputs

Researchers measured microplastics in four fish species and water from the St. Lawrence River and Estuary, finding that semisynthetic polymers like rayon were commonly present — often overlooked in standard monitoring — and wastewater treatment plant effluents were a key input source.

2025 Environmental Research
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in St. Lawrence River sediments

Researchers found polyethylene microbeads in sediments of the St. Lawrence River at concentrations that increased downstream toward the heavily populated Quebec City area. The study is one of the first to document microplastics in the sediments of a major North American freshwater system and confirms that urban wastewater is a primary source.

2014 Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 554 citations
Article Tier 2

Hemocyte Health Status Based on Four Biomarkers to Assess Recovery Capacity in American Lobster (Homarus americanus) after Exposure to Marine Diesel and Diluted Bitumen

Researchers assessed hemocyte health in American lobsters exposed to marine diesel and diluted bitumen (dilbit) using four biomarkers, finding that standard industry measures were insufficient to capture immunotoxic effects and that lobsters exposed to dilbit showed more persistent immune impairment than those exposed to marine diesel.

2021 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8 citations