Papers

Plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems: Current knowledge on impacts of micro and nano fragments on invertebrates

This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect soil-dwelling invertebrates like earthworms and insects, finding that effects vary widely depending on plastic type, shape, concentration, and exposure time. While no broad conclusions could be drawn, the documented sublethal effects on soil organisms could disrupt the soil ecosystems that support the crops humans depend on for food.

Comparative microplastic analysis in urban waters using μ-FTIR and Py-GC-MS: A case study in Amsterdam

Researchers compared two analytical methods for measuring microplastics in Amsterdam's canal water and found good agreement between them, with concentrations ranging from 16 to 107 particles per cubic meter. Microplastic levels were higher in the city center than in suburban areas, and seasonal differences were observed, providing a clearer picture of urban freshwater contamination that can ultimately reach drinking water sources.

Regulatory assessment of nano-enabled health products in public health interest. Position of the scientific advisory board of the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products

The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines reviewed the regulatory landscape for health products containing nanomaterials, including drugs and medical devices. They found that the enormous diversity of nanomaterials and their unique properties create significant challenges for consistent regulatory assessment across countries. The report recommends international harmonization of regulatory practices to better evaluate the risk-benefit balance of nano-enabled health products.

The urgency of building soils for Middle Eastern and North African countries: Economic, environmental, and health solutions

This review examines soil degradation across the Middle East and North Africa and proposes using constructed soils made from waste materials as a restoration strategy. While focused on soil rehabilitation rather than microplastics specifically, the approach is relevant because waste materials used in soil construction may contain microplastics, and degraded soils are more vulnerable to microplastic contamination. The review highlights the interconnected challenges of waste management, soil health, and food security in arid regions.

Microplastic assessment in remote and high mountain lakes of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in eight remote, high-altitude lakes in the mountains of northern Pakistan, finding plastic particles in both water and sediment at all locations. Despite the lakes being far from major population centers, microplastics were present at measurable levels, likely transported by wind and water from lower elevations. The contamination of these pristine mountain lakes is concerning because they serve as water sources for local communities.

A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments

This study is the first to investigate synthetic fiber contamination in both indoor and outdoor air, finding that indoor environments contained significantly higher concentrations of fibers than outdoor settings. Researchers identified that most airborne fibers were synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, with indoor levels ranging from 1 to 60 fibers per cubic meter. The findings suggest that people may be inhaling substantial amounts of microplastic fibers simply by spending time indoors.

Environmental microplastic interact with heavy metal in polluted soil from mine site in the North of Tunisia: Effects on heavy metal accumulation, growth, photosynthetic activities, and biochemical responses of alfalfa plants (Medicago saliva L.)

This study tested how microplastics interact with heavy metals in contaminated mine soil and affect alfalfa plant growth in Tunisia. Adding microplastics to polluted soil increased the amount of heavy metals absorbed by the plants and triggered oxidative stress, causing more damage than either pollutant alone. This is concerning for human health because crops grown in microplastic-contaminated soil near mining areas may accumulate higher levels of toxic metals.

Microplastic accumulation in sewer sediments and its potential entering the environment via combined sewer overflows: a study case in Paris

Researchers measured microplastic levels in sewer sediments in Paris and found extremely high concentrations, similar in composition to raw wastewater. During heavy rain events, these contaminated sediments get flushed into rivers through sewer overflows, releasing large amounts of microplastics into the environment. The study reveals that urban sewer systems are a significant hidden reservoir of microplastic pollution that can rapidly contaminate waterways used for recreation and drinking water.

Assessing the presence of microplastic particles in Tunisian agriculture soils and their potential toxicity effects using Eisenia andrei as bioindicator

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in Tunisian agricultural soils under different farming practices, including organic farming, greenhouses, mulching, and wastewater irrigation. They found that earthworms readily ingested the microplastics, with particles from mulched and wastewater-irrigated soils causing significant oxidative stress in the worms. The study provides new evidence that agricultural microplastics pose a real threat to soil-dwelling organisms and terrestrial ecosystems.

Toxicity assessment of animal manure composts containing environmental microplastics by using earthworms Eisenia andrei

Researchers found microplastics in animal manure compost from both cow and sheep farms, confirming that using manure as fertilizer introduces plastic particles into agricultural soil. When earthworms were exposed to these contaminated composts, they showed signs of oxidative stress and cellular damage. Since manure composting is a widespread farming practice, this represents a significant pathway for microplastics to enter the soil where food crops are grown.

Interactive effects of environmental microplastics and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the earthworm Eisenia andrei

Researchers studied the combined effects of environmental microplastics and the herbicide 2,4-D on earthworms over 14 days. They found that microplastics increased the bioaccumulation of the herbicide in earthworm tissues, and co-exposure caused greater genotoxic damage and oxidative stress than either pollutant alone. The findings highlight the potential for microplastics to amplify the ecological risks of pesticides in agricultural soils.

Small-Size Microplastics in Urban Stormwater Runoff are Efficiently Trapped in a Bioretention Cell

Researchers conducted a two-year field study showing that bioretention cells, a type of green stormwater infrastructure, effectively captured microplastics as small as 25 micrometers from urban runoff. The system retained over 80 percent of small microplastics, with fibers and fragments being the most commonly trapped types. The findings suggest that existing urban green infrastructure can serve double duty as a practical tool for reducing microplastic pollution in waterways.

Uptake, tissue distribution and toxicological effects of environmental microplastics in early juvenile fish Dicentrarchus labrax

Researchers investigated the uptake, tissue distribution, and toxic effects of environmentally relevant microplastic mixtures on juvenile diamond-back terrapin turtles. They found that the smallest microplastic particles accumulated in various tissues including the gut, liver, and blood, and caused measurable physiological stress responses. The study provides early evidence that environmental microplastics can be absorbed and distributed throughout the bodies of marine reptiles during vulnerable early life stages.

Autophagic event and metabolomic disorders unveil cellular toxicity of environmental microplastics on marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor

Researchers investigated the cellular toxicity of environmental microplastics collected from Mediterranean beaches on the marine polychaete Hediste diversicolor, focusing on autophagy and metabolic responses. The study found that exposure to various polymer types (PE, PP, LDPE, HDPE, and others) triggered autophagic events and disrupted metabolic pathways. The findings suggest that environmental microplastics induce complex cellular stress responses in benthic organisms through multiple interconnected pathways.

First report on the presence of small microplastics (≤ 3 μm) in tissue of the commercial fish Serranus scriba (Linnaeus. 1758) from Tunisian coasts and associated cellular alterations

Researchers provided the first report of small microplastics (3 micrometers or smaller) in both the gastrointestinal tract and muscle tissue of the commercial fish Serranus scriba from Tunisian coasts. The study identified polymer types using Raman microspectroscopy and found associated cellular alterations, raising concerns about microplastic contamination in Mediterranean fish consumed by humans.

Coarse microplastic accumulation patterns in agricultural soils during two decades of different urban composts application

Researchers analyzed 21 years of soil samples from fields treated with three different types of urban waste compost to track how microplastics accumulate over time. They found that all compost types introduced microplastics into the soil, with distinct patterns depending on the compost source, and that certain plastic types persisted and built up over decades. The study suggests that long-term compost application is a significant pathway for microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils.

Metabolomic disorders unveil hepatotoxicity of environmental microplastics in wild fish Serranus scriba (Linnaeus 1758)

Researchers analyzed wild painted comber fish from three coastal regions in Tunisia and found small environmental microplastics (3 micrometers and smaller) accumulated in their liver tissue. Using metabolomic analysis, they identified disruptions in liver metabolism linked to microplastic presence, with the severity varying by regional pollution levels. The study provides field-based evidence that environmental microplastics can cause metabolic disorders in the livers of wild fish populations.

Sequential combination of micro-FTIR imaging spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC/MS for microplastic quantification. Application to river sediments

Researchers developed a protocol combining micro-FTIR imaging and pyrolysis-GC/MS for sequential microplastic analysis in river sediments. While both methods showed consistent total mass concentrations across sites, they found discrepancies in polymer proportions due to each method's specific limitations, providing practical recommendations for comparing results across different analytical approaches.

Anthropogenic particles in the stomach contents and liver of the freshwater fish Squalius cephalus

Stomachs and livers of chub (Squalius cephalus) from the Parisian river system were analyzed for anthropogenic particles by Raman spectroscopy, with 25% of fish having ingested at least one particle (half plastic, half synthetic dye) and a subset of particles detected in liver tissue. The study provides rare evidence of anthropogenic particle translocation from the gut to secondary organs in wild freshwater fish from an urban river.

One Health on islands: Tractable ecosystems to explore the nexus between human, animal, terrestrial, and marine health

This study proposes that islands serve as ideal natural laboratories for exploring the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health under the One Health framework. Researchers argue that islands' discrete populations and well-studied ecosystems make them uniquely suited for understanding how contaminants like microplastics move through interconnected terrestrial and marine environments. The study highlights the potential for island-based research to untangle complex health relationships across biomes.

Microplastics in air: Are we breathing it in?

Uptake, accumulation and associated cellular alterations of environmental samples of microplastics in the seaworm Hediste diversicolor

Hediste diversicolor seaworms exposed to environmental microplastic mixtures collected from Tunisian beaches accumulated PE, PP, LDPE, and HDPE particles in their tissues and showed cellular damage including lipid peroxidation and lysosomal membrane destabilization at environmentally relevant concentrations.

Identification and analysis of microplastics: a systematic review of methods and techniques

Quantification of Microplastics by Pyrolysis Coupled with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry in Sediments: Challenges and Implications

Researchers identified challenges in quantifying microplastics by pyrolysis-GC/MS in sediment samples, finding that incomplete matrix removal during purification can generate interfering pyrolysis products that lead to overestimation of microplastic concentrations.