Papers

Ocean current modulation of the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China

Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of microplastics in seafloor sediments of the Beibu Gulf in China and found that ocean currents play a major role in where microplastics accumulate. The study provides important data on how water circulation patterns transport and concentrate microplastic pollution in coastal marine environments.

The effects of organic and inorganic colloids on the aggregation and settling of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics in mimicked ocean temperature conditions

Researchers studied how naturally occurring minerals and biological compounds affect the clumping and sinking behavior of nanoplastics in ocean-like conditions. They found that clay minerals caused up to 70% of nanoplastics to settle out of the water at warm temperatures, but certain biological polymers produced by marine organisms could block this process entirely, keeping the plastics suspended. These findings matter because they help explain why nanoplastics may persist in surface waters rather than sinking to the ocean floor.

The Hidden Crisis of Biodegradable Plastics: Polylactic Acid Microplastics Increase Soil Cd and Pb Bioavailability and Associated Human Health Risks

Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, significantly increased the availability of toxic heavy metals like cadmium and lead in agricultural soil. The PLA particles altered soil chemistry and microbial communities, leading to greater heavy metal uptake by lettuce and substantially increased health risks for humans consuming the crops.

Microplastics distribution, ecological risk and outflows of rivers in the Bohai Rim region of China - A flux model considering small and medium-sized rivers

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across rivers flowing into the Bohai Sea in northern China, including smaller waterways that are often overlooked. They found that small and medium-sized rivers contributed nearly half of the total microplastic outflow to the sea, with Shandong province accounting for over 80 percent of the regional total. The study emphasizes that focusing only on major rivers significantly underestimates the true scale of microplastic transport into coastal waters.

Tire microplastic particles and warming inhibit physiological functions of the toxic microalga Alexandrium pacificum

Researchers studied how tire-derived microplastic particles affect a toxic marine algae species under normal and warmed water conditions. They found that low concentrations slightly promoted algal growth, while high concentrations inhibited it, and warming made these negative effects worse. The study suggests that the combination of tire microplastics and rising ocean temperatures could disrupt marine ecosystems in compounding ways.

Fate, source, and ecological risk of microplastic in the surface sediment of the Beibu Gulf, the Northern South China sea

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface sediments across the Beibu Gulf in the northern South China Sea. They found microplastic levels ranging from about 13 to 252 particles per kilogram of sediment, with the highest concentrations near estuaries influenced by coastal currents, and fibers from household and textile products being the dominant form. The study's risk assessment indicated that some areas face extremely high ecological risk from microplastic pollution, underscoring the need for measures to reduce human-caused contamination.

Continuous generation and release of microplastics and nanoplastics from polystyrene by plastic-degrading marine bacteria

Researchers discovered that marine bacteria capable of degrading plastics continuously generate and release microplastics and nanoplastics as they break down polystyrene. Rather than fully eliminating the plastic, the bacterial degradation process fragments it into smaller particles. The findings reveal an overlooked source of secondary micro- and nanoplastic pollution in ocean environments.

Fate and mass budget of microplastic in the Beibu Gulf, the northern South China sea

Researchers mapped the distribution and mass budget of microplastics across the Beibu Gulf in the northern South China Sea, sampling both water and sediment. They found microplastics in all samples, with sediments containing the highest concentrations and river input being a major source. The study provides a comprehensive picture of how microplastics accumulate and move through a semi-enclosed tropical marine ecosystem.

Biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) by deep-sea psychrophilic bacteria of Pseudoalteromonas in accompany with simultaneous release of microplastics and nanoplastics

Researchers discovered that deep-sea bacteria from the genus Pseudoalteromonas can break down polystyrene and polypropylene plastics, though the process also releases smaller micro- and nanoplastic fragments. The bacteria were enriched over a year-long experiment at deep-sea conditions using plastic as their sole carbon source. The study suggests that while microbial degradation of ocean plastics is possible, it may simultaneously generate secondary nanoplastic pollution.

Enhanced Microplastic Burial in China’s Coastal Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Drivers and Potential Roles in Climate Change Mitigation

Researchers measured microplastic stocks in coastal blue carbon ecosystems along the Chinese coastline and found that these environments significantly enhance the trapping and burial of microplastic particles in sediments. Microplastic-derived carbon storage ranged from 0.01 to 104.4 kg of carbon per hectare across the study sites. The study suggests that while blue carbon ecosystems act as sinks for microplastic pollution, this buried plastic carbon may need to be accounted for in coastal carbon budget assessments.

Microplastics in the surface waters of the northern South China Sea: Interannual variation and potential ecological risks

Researchers monitored microplastic pollution in the northern South China Sea surface waters from 2019 to 2023. They found that average microplastic abundance increased from 2019 to 2021 before declining, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate being the most common polymers, though overall ecological risk remained at low levels.

Toward ecosystem-based deep-sea governance: a review of global approaches and China’s participation

This study reviews the current state of international deep-sea governance, finding that existing frameworks are fragmented and address only a limited range of issues. The researchers evaluate China's participation in deep-sea governance and propose pathways for enhanced ecosystem-based management approaches.

Beyond carrier effects: Polyamide microplastics and TCPP jointly drive physiological toxicity in mussels at environmental concentrations

Researchers exposed thick-shelled mussels to polyamide microplastics combined with the flame retardant TCPP at environmentally relevant concentrations. They found that the combined stress caused physiological toxicity through an adsorption effect rather than a simple carrier effect, with potentially irreversible damage to digestive glands. The study also showed that the internal bacterial diversity of exposed mussels was altered, indicating broader ecological consequences of microplastic-chemical co-exposure in marine environments.

Emerging microplastic and nanoplastic threats: Decoding winter survival mechanisms in hybrid groupers through hepatic metabolic disruption

Researchers explored how microplastics and nanoplastics of varying sizes affect hepatic lipid metabolism in hybrid grouper fish during winter overwintering periods. The study found that polystyrene particles disrupted lipid metabolism, caused oxidative stress, and altered gene expression in liver tissue, suggesting these pollutants may compromise fish survival during metabolically demanding cold seasons.

Interactive effects of microplastics, heavy metals, and soil microecology under different irrigation water sources

Researchers found that using a mix of river water and treated wastewater to irrigate crops led to the highest levels of tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in soil, along with increased amounts of heavy metals like lead and chromium. These microplastics appear to help these harmful metals stick around in the soil rather than being naturally filtered out. This matters because these pollutants could potentially make their way into the food we eat, though more research is needed to understand the health risks.

Interfacial interactions between colloidal polystyrene microplastics and Cu in aqueous solution and saturated porous media: Model fitting and mechanism analysis

Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics interact with copper in water and in saturated porous media like soil. They found that microplastics have strong adsorption capacity for copper through electrostatic and chemical bonding, and that copper can inhibit microplastic transport while microplastics may facilitate copper transport through a carrying effect. The findings suggest that interactions between microplastics and heavy metals can significantly influence how both pollutants move through groundwater systems.

Biochar mitigates the mineralization of allochthonous organic matter and global warming potential of saltmarshes by influencing functional bacteria

Researchers tested whether adding biochar — a charcoal-like material made from plant waste — to saltmarsh soils could reduce carbon loss and greenhouse gas emissions when organic matter is added. They found that biochar reduced both carbon loss and warming potential by more than 60%, working by suppressing the bacteria responsible for breaking down organic carbon.

Influence of microplastics on the structure and function of deep-sea communities during long-term enrichment processes

Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and concentrations affect deep-sea microbial communities over 50 days of incubation. They observed that microorganisms caused visible degradation of the plastic surfaces, while the smallest particles and plastic films significantly inhibited bacterial growth and increased reactive oxygen species production. The study reveals that microplastic pollution can substantially alter deep-sea microbial community structure and function.

Integrating species sensitivity distributions and toxicity thresholds: A probabilistic risk assessment of microplastics in Yazhou Bay, South China Sea

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and ecological risk in Yazhou Bay, South China Sea, finding surface water concentrations of 3,437 n/m³ with a modeled estimate reaching 241,000 n/m³ when accounting for smaller particle sizes. Species sensitivity distribution analysis identified significant ecological risk to marine organisms at detected concentrations.

Formation mechanisms of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines from dissolved organic matter derived from nitrogen-containing microplastics during chloramine disinfection

Researchers investigated how dissolved organic matter in water facilitates the formation of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines during chlorination, finding that microplastic-associated organic compounds contributed to nitrosamine precursor pools in treatment scenarios.

Polystyrene microplastics impede growth and induce behavioural toxicity in endangered juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus)

Researchers exposed juvenile horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), an endangered species, to polystyrene microplastics and found significant growth retardation and behavioral abnormalities, raising concern that microplastic pollution may be contributing to population declines in this already threatened species.

Microplastic transport and ecological risk in coastal intruded aquifers based on a coupled seawater intrusion and microplastic risk assessment model

Using a coupled seawater intrusion and microplastic transport model, researchers analyzed how saltwater-freshwater dynamics in Laizhou Bay coastal aquifers drive microplastic contamination. Seawater intrusion events significantly enhanced microplastic migration into coastal groundwater, with risk assessment indicating elevated ecological hazard in affected aquifer zones.

Accumulation of microplastics in the marine sediments of the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Ocean

Ligand-promoted photoactivation aging of microplastics by composite clay minerals

This study found that naturally occurring organic compounds called ligands — which dissolve iron from clay minerals — can dramatically speed up the environmental weathering (aging) of microplastics when exposed to sunlight. In the presence of ligands, mass loss from microplastics over 15 days increased by 61%, driven by enhanced production of hydroxyl radicals that chemically attack the plastic surface. Understanding how quickly microplastics degrade in natural environments is important because aging changes their surface chemistry, making them more likely to adsorb and transport other pollutants.