Papers

Microplastics in retail shellfish from a seafood market in eastern Thailand: Occurrence and risks to human food safety

Researchers tested three popular types of shellfish sold at a Thai seafood market and found microplastics in all of them, with polystyrene and polyethylene being the most common plastic types. They estimated that Thai consumers could ingest up to about 1,178 microplastic particles per year just from shellfish. The health risk assessment rated the contamination at moderate to high concern levels.

Abundance, characteristics, and potential human intake of microplastic contamination in tap water: A study of water supply treatment plants in Rayong Province, Thailand

Microplastic occurrence in surface sediments from coastal mangroves in Eastern Thailand: Abundance, characteristics, and ecological risk implications

Chitosan Biopolymer and Its Nanocomposites: Emerging Material as Adsorbent in Wastewater Treatment

This review examines chitosan biopolymer and its nanocomposites as emerging adsorbent materials for wastewater treatment, highlighting their high adsorption capacity and surface charge for efficiently removing various pollutants from contaminated water.

Preliminary investigation of microplastic contamination in river snails (<i>Filopaludina martensi</i>) in Eastern Thailand and evaluation of human exposure

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in river snails from local markets in eastern Thailand and found an average abundance of approximately 89 particles per gram of wet tissue. The predominant microplastics were fibers and fragments smaller than 1 millimeter, primarily made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study estimates that regular consumption of river snails could result in meaningful human intake of microplastics, raising food safety concerns.

Microplastic pollution in surface seawater and beach sand from the shore of Rayong province, Thailand: Distribution, characterization, and ecological risk assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in beach sand and seawater along Rayong province, Thailand, finding average concentrations of 339 particles per kilogram in sand and 1,781 particles per cubic meter in seawater, with polyethylene as the most common polymer type.

Thiamethoxam soil contaminations reduce fertility of soil-dwelling beetles, Aethina tumida

Researchers found that field-realistic neonicotinoid (thiamethoxam) soil contamination reduced the fertility of soil-dwelling beetles by approximately half on average, providing evidence that environmental pollutants contribute to insect population declines.

Interactions between phytoplankton species and micro/nano‐plastics and heavy metal contamination

This review examined the interactions between micro- and nanoplastics and heavy metals in the context of phytoplankton ecotoxicology, analyzing how combined pollutant stress affects marine primary producers. The combined toxicity was often greater than individual effects, with MPs acting as carriers that alter heavy metal bioavailability to phytoplankton.

Microplastics in <i>Saccostrea commercialis</i> oysters and surrounding water habitats in Rayong, Thailand: Pollution status and risk assessment

This study examined microplastic contamination in oysters (Saccostrea commercialis) and coastal water in Rayong, Thailand, identifying the dominant polymer types and assessing potential human health risks from seafood consumption in this brackish water habitat.

Phase Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Super-Tough PLLA/TPE/EMA-GMA Ternary Blends

Researchers developed super-tough polylactic acid (PLLA) blends by melt blending with biodegradable thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE) and EMA-GMA copolymer as a compatibilizer to overcome PLA's inherent brittleness. The ternary blends achieved significantly improved impact strength and ductility compared to neat PLLA while maintaining other key thermal and mechanical properties.

Effect of advanced oxidation process for chemical structure changes of polyethylene microplastics

Biodegradation of plastic wastes under semi-aerobic condition with active methane oxidation activities and nutrient supply

Researchers tested biodegradation of plastic wastes under semi-aerobic landfill conditions, finding that polymer type and landfill conditions strongly influenced degradation rates and the generation of microplastic fragments. The study contributes to understanding how managed disposal sites affect long-term plastic persistence.

Obstacle Trenches for Enhanced Microplastic Trapping in 3D-Printed Microfluidics

Capturing microplastic particles from flowing water is challenging because fast currents carry them past collection devices before they can settle. This study tested 3D-printed microfluidic chips fitted with small "obstacle trenches" upstream of collection wells, finding that these flow-slowing structures doubled microplastic trapping efficiency compared to chips without them. The work advances the development of miniaturized, low-cost devices for detecting and quantifying microplastics in water samples, potentially making environmental monitoring more accessible.

Development of Eco-Friendly Silane-Treated Rice Flour/PBS Biocomposites with ENR-50 as a Compatibilizer: A Study on Phase Morphology, Properties and Biodegradation

Despite its title referencing biodegradable packaging, this paper studies the material properties of biocomposite films made from polybutylene succinate (PBS) and rice flour for use as food packaging — not microplastic pollution or health impacts. It examines how different filler amounts and compatibilizers affect mechanical and biodegradation properties and is only indirectly relevant to microplastics as an effort to replace conventional plastic packaging.

Sustainable Manufacturing of Intelligent Connectors: Optimizing Recycled Polymeric Compositions for Smart Technology and Robotics

Researchers evaluated the mechanical performance and environmental impact of polymeric compounds for intelligent connectors in robotics and smart technologies, formulating blends of virgin plastic and recycled material containing Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCPs) via injection molding. The study identified optimal recycled material formulations that balanced environmental benefits with the mechanical effectiveness required for smart technology applications.

Design and Testing of 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices for Microplastic Monitoring

Researchers designed and tested a stereolithography 3D-printed microfluidic device with impedance spectroscopy electrodes for detecting microplastic particles in drinking water, demonstrating a low-cost fabrication approach for continuous microplastic monitoring systems.

Effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads using the emulsion polymerization process for acrylamide/acrylic acid copolymers

Researchers examined the effect of surfactant concentration on the synthesis of hydrogel microbeads as biodegradable replacements for the plastic microbeads commonly used in personal care and cosmetic products, optimising formulation parameters to produce spherical particles with properties suitable for exfoliant applications.

Measuring the effects of diethyl phthalate microplastics on marine algae growth using dielectric spectroscopy

Researchers developed a dielectric spectroscopy-based sensing method using a custom transmission-line probe on a printed circuit board to monitor the effects of diethyl phthalate (DEP) microplastics on the growth of marine algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa). Exposure to increasing DEP concentrations over 6 days progressively suppressed algal growth rates and chlorophyll content, with the reflection coefficient at 740 MHz providing a linear indicator of growth inhibition.

Pharmaceuticals and Agro-Chemicals in Groundwater of Hyderabad, India

A study of groundwater in Hyderabad, India detected pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals (agro-chemicals) at multiple sampling sites. The presence of these organic micropollutants in drinking water sources raises public health concerns, particularly in water-scarce regions where groundwater is heavily relied upon.

Preliminary Study of Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics on Beach Sediment along the Coast of Rayong Province, Thailand

Microplastic contamination was found in beach sediment at three sites in Rayong Province, Thailand, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. The study provides baseline contamination data for this East Asian coastal region.

Microparticle filtration ability of pervious concrete mixed with recycled synthetic fibers

Modeling of pyrolysis reactions of polypropylene using a six-lump model and simulation of pyrolysis process using Aspen

Researchers developed a mathematical model for the pyrolysis of polypropylene — a major component of plastic waste — and simulated the industrial process using chemical engineering software. This modeling supports developing efficient systems to convert waste plastic into useful fuels and chemicals.

Conversion of lignocellulose residue obtained from biorefinery stream to electricity by microbial fuel cell

This review explores using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) to generate electricity from the organic waste left over after lignocellulose biorefinery processes. While focused on bioenergy, the circular economy approach discussed is relevant to reducing industrial waste streams that could otherwise contribute to environmental pollution.

Effect of Coir Fiber and Inorganic Filler Hybridization on Innegra Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Composites: Physical and Mechanical Properties

Researchers produced hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with coir fiber, fly ash, titanium carbide nanoparticles, and Innegra fabrics and evaluated their physical and mechanical properties. The combination of fillers influenced tensile, flexural, and shear strength, offering insights for designing lightweight structural composite materials.