We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
274 resultsShowing papers from University of Exeter
ClearMicroplastics in Antarctica - A plastic legacy in the Antarctic snow?
Microplastics were found in snow from some of the most remote places on Earth, including Union Glacier and the South Pole in Antarctica. Using advanced detection methods capable of identifying particles as small as 11 micrometers, researchers found that 95% of the microplastics were smaller than 50 micrometers, suggesting previous studies in Antarctica likely underestimated contamination levels. The dominant plastic types -- polyamide, PET, and polyethylene -- point to a global atmospheric transport of plastic pollution.
Microplastic-stressor responses are rarely synergistic in freshwater fishes: A meta-analysis
A meta-analysis of 838 responses from 36 studies found that combined microplastic-stressor effects on freshwater fish are predominantly antagonistic (48%) or additive (34%), with synergistic effects least frequent at only 17%. This means that addressing either microplastic pollution or co-occurring stressors individually is likely to produce positive outcomes, rather than both needing to be resolved simultaneously.
Microplastics in commercial marine fish species in the UK – A case study in the River Thames and the River Stour (East Anglia) estuaries
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three commercially important fish species from UK estuaries, finding that over 41% of fish had ingested at least one microplastic particle. Larger and heavier fish were more contaminated, and the results highlight that humans who eat these common fish species are likely being exposed to microplastics through their diet.
Co-contaminant risks in water reuse and biosolids application for agriculture
This review highlights that treated wastewater and biosolids used in farming contain a complex mixture of pollutants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria that enter soil and can be taken up by crops. The combined effects of these pollutants may be greater than the sum of their individual risks, underscoring the need for better safety assessments of recycled water and waste used in food production.
Impacts of non-petroleum and petroleum-based microfibers on aquatic organisms: a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis compared the toxic effects of petroleum-based and non-petroleum microfibers on aquatic organisms. Surprisingly, natural fibers like cotton and viscose also caused significant biological harm, not just synthetic ones like polyester and nylon. This means that even "natural" textiles shed fibers that can damage aquatic ecosystems, complicating the assumption that non-synthetic clothing is automatically safer for the environment.
Deep dive into the chronic toxicity of tyre particle mixtures and their leachates
Researchers tested the toxicity of tire tread microparticles — shed from vehicle tires at roughly 1.4 kg per car per year — on water fleas (Daphnia magna) over 21 days and found the particles were nearly 10 times more toxic than chemical leachates from the same tires alone. Chemical analysis identified zinc, titanium, and 54 organic compounds shared across five major tire brands, with many classified as very toxic to aquatic life.
Are we working towards global research priorities for management and conservation of sea turtles?
A systematic review of 605 sea turtle research articles from 2014-2015 found that 59% substantively addressed the 20 key conservation questions identified in 2010, though progress was uneven across topics with biases in focal species and geographic scope. The authors recommend new prioritization exercises with greater engagement from social sciences and a wider pool of contributors.
Factors Determining the Susceptibility of Fish to Effects of Human Pharmaceuticals
This review explores what makes certain fish species more vulnerable to the effects of human pharmaceutical drugs found in waterways. Factors include water temperature, drug concentration, and the fish's own biology such as metabolism and gene expression. While focused on pharmaceuticals rather than microplastics, the findings are relevant because microplastics can carry adsorbed drug residues into aquatic food chains.
Marine mammals and microplastics: A systematic review and call for standardisation
Microplastics were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of marine mammals in all but one of 30 studies reviewed, with 0-88 particles per animal, and were detected in pinniped scat in 8 of 10 studies, though considerable methodological inconsistencies make cross-study comparisons difficult.
Microplastics pollution in the Surma River, Bangladesh: A rising hazard to upstream water quality and aquatic life
This first-ever assessment of microplastic pollution in Bangladesh's Surma River found contamination in water, sediment, fish, crustaceans, and bivalves, with concentrations ranging widely across six sampling sites. Microplastics smaller than 200 micrometers were the most common, and areas near urban centers showed the worst water quality, highlighting how plastic waste from human activity enters waterways and accumulates in organisms people eat.
UV sources and plastic composition influence microplastic surface degradation: Implications for plastic weathering studies
This study tested how different UV light sources change the surface of common microplastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The results show that sunlight and lab UV lights weather plastics differently, changing their surface roughness and chemical makeup -- which matters because these surface changes affect how microplastics transport pollutants and interact with living organisms in the environment.
Advanced polystyrene nanoplastic remediation through electro-Fenton process: Degradation mechanisms and pathways
Researchers developed a new method using an electro-Fenton process with a copper-cobalt catalyst to break down polystyrene nanoplastics in water, achieving nearly 95% removal efficiency. The system generates powerful molecules called hydroxyl radicals that chemically decompose the plastic particles. While this is a laboratory-scale study, it demonstrates a promising technology that could help remove nanoplastics from drinking water and wastewater.
Interactions of microplastic debris throughout the marine ecosystem
Researchers synthesized evidence on how microplastics function as dynamic mixtures of polymers, additives, and adsorbed organic contaminants — forming an 'ecocorona' — and reviewed how chronic exposure reduces feeding, depletes energy reserves, impairs fecundity, and may alter ecosystem processes including carbon flux to the deep ocean.
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
Researchers exposed lugworms to sediment containing 5% microplastic pre-loaded with pollutants and plastic additives, confirming that ingested microplastic transfers chemicals into gut tissue — with nonylphenol uptake from PVC reducing immune cell function by over 60% and triclosan from PVC causing sediment-engineering impairment and mortality exceeding 55%.
Hydrogen sulfide supplementation as a potential treatment for primary mitochondrial diseases
Researchers reviewed how hydrogen sulfide — a natural signaling molecule in the body — could potentially treat rare inherited mitochondrial diseases by boosting energy production and protecting cells, offering a possible new therapeutic direction where few options currently exist.
There's something in the air: A review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere
This review compiled data from 124 studies to provide a comprehensive picture of microplastics in the atmosphere, including ambient air, deposited particles, dust, and snow. Researchers found microplastics are widespread in the air we breathe, with fibers being the most common shape detected. The study suggests that atmospheric transport is an important but understudied pathway for spreading microplastic contamination across environments.
Investigation and analysis of microplastics in sewage sludge and biosolids: A case study from one wastewater treatment works in the UK
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sewage sludge and biosolids at a UK wastewater treatment plant and found significant quantities of microplastics persisting through the treatment process. Since millions of tonnes of biosolids are applied to farmland annually in the UK, this represents a major pathway for microplastic pollution entering agricultural soils. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment methods to reduce microplastic transfer from wastewater to the terrestrial environment.
Investigating microplastic trophic transfer in marine top predators
Researchers investigated whether microplastics can transfer through the food chain by analyzing the scat of captive grey seals and the wild mackerel they were fed. They found microplastics in about half of the seal scat samples and a third of the fish, with similar particle types in both. The study suggests that trophic transfer is a plausible route for microplastics to move up marine food chains to top predators.
Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms
Researchers developed and tested methods for extracting microplastics from seawater samples rich in biological material and from the tissues of marine organisms. They found that enzymatic digestion was the most effective and least destructive approach for isolating microplastics from biological samples, outperforming acid and alkaline treatments. The study provides improved laboratory protocols that will help scientists more accurately measure microplastic contamination in marine environments and wildlife.
Intrinsic Peroxidase-like Activity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Mediates Oxidative Stress
Scientists discovered that polystyrene nanoplastics have a built-in enzyme-like ability to generate harmful reactive oxygen species, similar to how the body's own peroxidase enzymes work. This activity increased with the nanoplastics' size and aromatic chemical structure. The finding provides a new explanation for why nanoplastics cause oxidative stress in living things, which is a key mechanism behind potential health damage from plastic particle exposure.
Oceanic Hitchhikers – Assessing Pathogen Risks from Marine Microplastic
This review examines the emerging concern that microplastics in the ocean could serve as vehicles for transporting harmful bacteria, particularly into shellfish destined for human consumption. Researchers synthesized current knowledge about the distinct microbial communities that form on plastic debris and how microplastics are taken up by bivalves like mussels and oysters. The study highlights significant knowledge gaps around whether microplastic-associated pathogens represent a meaningful food safety risk.
The presence of microplastics in commercial salts from different countries
Researchers analyzed 17 commercial salt brands from eight countries and found microplastic particles in all but one, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 particles per kilogram. The most common plastics were polypropylene and polyethylene, appearing mainly as fragments. While the estimated human intake from salt alone appears minimal, the study confirms that microplastics have infiltrated yet another everyday food product.
Marine mammal conservation: over the horizon
This review examines the conservation status of marine mammals, which play important ecological roles and serve as indicators of ocean health. The researchers found that at least 25% of marine mammal species are classified as threatened, facing risks from climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution, and maritime development. The study outlines research priorities and conservation strategies needed to protect at-risk species while building on recent recovery successes.
Uptake and Retention of Microplastics by the Shore Crab <i>Carcinus maenas</i>
Researchers discovered that shore crabs can take up microplastics not only by eating them but also by breathing them in across their gills, a route that had not been well studied before. Microspheres that entered through the gills were retained in the body for up to 21 days, significantly longer than particles that were ingested orally. The study reveals that gill ventilation may be an underappreciated but important route of microplastic exposure for marine crustaceans.