Papers

Composting as a Sustainable Solution for Organic Solid Waste Management: Current Practices and Potential Improvements

This systematic review of composting practices finds that technological advances like microbial inoculants and in-vessel systems have improved efficiency, but managing contaminants such as heavy metals and microplastics in compost remains a significant challenge. The presence of microplastics in organic waste streams threatens compost quality and can introduce plastic pollution into agricultural soils.

Sorption of PAHs onto microplastics in Romanian surface waters and sediments: Environmental toxicity and human health risk with emphasis on pediatric exposure

Researchers studied how microplastics in two Romanian rivers absorb cancer-causing chemicals called PAHs and found significantly higher concentrations of these chemicals on the plastic surfaces than in the surrounding water. While adult exposure was within safe limits, children faced higher health risks due to their smaller body size and greater sensitivity. This study highlights how microplastics can concentrate toxic chemicals and deliver them in higher doses, especially to vulnerable populations.

Exploring adsorption dynamics of heavy metals onto varied commercial microplastic substrates: Isothermal models and kinetics analysis

This study investigated how polystyrene and polypropylene microplastics absorb the heavy metals cadmium, nickel, and lead from water. Both plastic types absorbed significant amounts of these metals, with the process following predictable chemical patterns. The findings are relevant to human health because microplastics contaminated with heavy metals in the environment could deliver concentrated doses of toxic metals to organisms that ingest them, including through the food chain.

Laboratory Assessment for Determining Microplastics in Freshwater Systems—Characterization and Identification along the Somesul Mic River

Scientists tested different laboratory techniques for detecting and identifying microplastics in freshwater samples from the Somesul Mic River in Romania. They found microplastics of various sizes, shapes, and polymer types using microscopy and spectroscopy methods. The study highlights the importance of having reliable detection methods so researchers can accurately measure how much microplastic contamination exists in the freshwater sources that communities depend on for drinking water.

Ecotoxicological Effects of Polystyrene Particle Mix (20, 200, and 430 µm) on Cyprinus carpio

Researchers exposed common carp to polystyrene microplastics of three different sizes in both short-term and long-term experiments, following standardized testing methods. While no deaths or acute effects occurred after 96 hours, the 75-day chronic exposure revealed changes in physiological markers and tissue-level effects. The study suggests that the real concern with microplastic exposure in fish lies in subtle, long-term biological changes rather than immediate toxic effects.

Exploring Sustainable Solutions: Dynamic Adsorption, Isotherm Models, and Kinetics of Organic Contaminants on Polystyrene Microplastics

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics adsorb organic contaminants such as pesticides and industrial chemicals from water. They characterized the adsorption dynamics using isotherm models and kinetic studies, finding that microplastics can effectively bind and concentrate these toxic pollutants. The findings underscore concerns that microplastics in the environment may serve as vectors for transporting harmful organic compounds through ecosystems.

Linear relationship between carbonyl index of weathered microplastics with a C C backbone and solar light photodegradation kinetics of nicotine

This study found that the carbonyl index of UV-weathered microplastics with carbon-carbon backbones (PS, PP, LDPE) linearly predicts their ability to enhance indirect solar photodegradation of nicotine — offering a simple surface chemistry parameter for estimating aged microplastic reactivity toward organic contaminants.

Performance of a Solar-Driven Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Researchers evaluated a solar-driven photocatalytic membrane reactor for treating municipal wastewater, finding it offers an efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional treatment methods amid rising global demand.

Ecotoxicological Effects of Polystyrene Particles on Cyprinus carpio: A Laboratory Assessment

Researchers exposed common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to polystyrene particles in a controlled laboratory setting, measuring survival, growth, histological damage, and oxidative stress markers over a 30-day period. Exposed fish showed liver and gill tissue damage alongside elevated oxidative stress enzymes, demonstrating that polystyrene microplastics are harmful to freshwater fish at tested concentrations.

Performance of a Solar Driven Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Researchers evaluated the performance of a solar-driven photocatalytic membrane reactor for treating municipal wastewater, combining photocatalysis and membrane filtration powered by sunlight. The system demonstrated effective pollutant removal while reducing reliance on external energy sources for water treatment.

Nile red staining of polyethylene and polystyrene in Daphnia magna tests

Polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics in various sizes were tested on the water flea Daphnia magna, a standard aquatic toxicity model, using Nile red fluorescent staining to track particle uptake. No acute lethal effects were observed over 48 hours, but 20-micron polystyrene particles were ingested and reached the digestive tract, and sub-lethal impacts on feeding and growth are suspected — raising concerns about chronic exposure even without immediate die-off.

Adsorption of Sunscreen Compounds from Wastewater Using Commercial Activated Carbon: Detailed Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analyses

This paper is not directly about microplastics; it examines the removal of UV-filter sunscreen chemicals from wastewater using activated carbon, finding effective adsorption under various pH and concentration conditions, with relevance to aquatic pollution from personal care products.

An overview of present treatment and valorification methods used for plastic waste

This overview examines common methods for recycling and treating plastic waste, noting that plastics persist in nature for roughly a thousand years and break down into micro- and nanoplastics that bioaccumulate in organisms. It highlights the urgency of developing sustainable disposal technologies to prevent microplastic contamination from reaching ecosystems.

Antioxidative Defense and Gut Microbial Changes under Pollution Stress in Carassius gibelio from Bucharest Lakes

Researchers compared antioxidative responses and gut microbiome changes in Prussian carp collected from polluted and less-polluted lakes in Bucharest, finding that fish from more contaminated sites showed elevated oxidative stress markers and altered microbial communities consistent with exposure to heavy metals and other aquatic pollutants.

Laboratory assessment for determining microplastics in freshwater systems – characterization and identification along Somesul Mic River

Researchers applied Raman and FTIR spectroscopy alongside microscopy to characterize microplastics in water and sediment samples from the Somesul Mic River in Romania, identifying multiple polymer types and assessing which analytical methods worked best. Developing reliable, standardized laboratory methods for detecting microplastics in freshwater is essential for generating comparable data on environmental contamination levels.

Preparation and Characterization of Microalgae Styrene-Butadiene Composites Using Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis Biomass

Researchers developed biobased styrene-butadiene rubber composites with microalgae biomass as renewable fillers for polymer materials in food industry applications.

The environmental and health impact generated by waste electrical and electronic equipment

This review examines the growing environmental and health threats posed by waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste), noting that global generation is projected to reach 74 million tons by 2030 and calling for strengthened national and international waste management strategies to mitigate toxic exposures.

Evaluation of the Phytoremediation Potential of the Sinapis alba Plant Using Extractable Metal Concentrations

This study evaluated the ability of white mustard (Sinapis alba) plants to extract heavy metals from contaminated soil through phytoremediation. Microplastics in soil can alter heavy metal availability, and plant-based remediation strategies may need to account for both types of contamination together.

A review on evaluation of textile waste for ethanol extraction

This review examines how pre- and post-consumer textile waste can be used as a feedstock for bioethanol production, offering a way to divert growing volumes of fabric waste from landfills and incineration. Converting textile cellulose into ethanol through pre-treatment and fermentation processes could reduce both textile waste and fossil fuel dependence.

Characterisation of Microplastics from the Effluent of a Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant and from its Natural Receptor

Researchers characterized microplastics in effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and in the receiving Jiu River in Romania, both upstream and downstream of the discharge point. The results show that even treated wastewater carries microplastics into surface waters, contributing to river contamination.

ADSORPTION OF ORGANIC POLLUTANT ON MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES

In Vitro Sorption Study of Some Organochlorine Pesticides on Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics

Researchers found that organochlorine pesticides adsorb significantly (up to 50%) onto PET microplastic surfaces in laboratory conditions, with adsorption rates varying by compound hydrophobicity. This confirms that microplastics can concentrate pesticide pollutants and potentially transport them to organisms that ingest the particles.

Desorption of phthalates from microplastics into surface water. In vitro study.

This conference presentation examined the desorption of phthalates from microplastics into surface water through an in vitro study. The research investigated how plastic-associated phthalate plasticizers leach into aquatic environments under simulated conditions.