Papers

Lifelong exposure to polystyrene-nanoplastics induces an attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-like phenotype and impairs brain aging in mice

Mice exposed to nanoplastics throughout their entire lives -- from the womb through old age -- developed ADHD-like symptoms as adults, including hyperactivity, risk-taking behavior, and impaired learning, and showed a lower seizure threshold in old age. These behavioral changes were accompanied by altered brain proteins and accelerated brain aging at the cellular level, suggesting lifelong nanoplastic exposure may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know

This review examines the state of knowledge on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems, which have received far less scientific attention than marine environments despite being major pathways for plastic transport. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can be extremely high near urban areas and that organisms from insects to fish readily ingest these particles. The study identifies key research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and better understanding of how microplastics move through and affect freshwater food webs.

Invertebrates facing environmental contamination by endocrine disruptors: Novel evidences and recent insights

Researchers review the emerging evidence for endocrine disruption in invertebrates from anthropogenic chemicals, highlighting how invertebrate-specific hormonal pathways require dedicated research beyond vertebrate models, and noting that omics technologies now offer new tools to characterize disruption of these poorly understood systems across diverse invertebrate species.

Main drivers for microplastic records in river sediments since the 1950s: Case study of the Loire river (France)

This study examined sediment cores from the Loire River in France to reconstruct the history of microplastic accumulation since the 1950s, finding that polymer type, particle size, and local deposition conditions (floodplain vs. active channel) strongly influenced long-term archiving and that microplastic concentrations tracked known production milestones.

Microplastics distribution in river side bars: The combined effects of water level and wind intensity

This study examined how seasonal water level fluctuations and wind intensity affect the distribution of microplastics in river side bars, finding that both hydrometric and wind conditions significantly influence microplastic deposition and remobilization in fluvial sediment deposits.

Microplastic trapping in dam reservoirs driven by complex hydrosedimentary processes (Villerest Reservoir, Loire River, France)

This study investigated microplastic trapping in the Villerest reservoir on the Loire River in France using geomorphological and sedimentological analysis combined with microFTIR imaging. The reservoir concentrated microplastics in sediment at concentrations on the order of 10 items per kilogram dry weight, with spatial distribution driven by complex hydrodynamic and sediment transport processes.

Trashy treasures? The increasing terrestrial invertebrate diversity in small-scale dumps

Researchers surveyed terrestrial invertebrate diversity in small-scale plastic debris accumulations, finding that some invertebrate groups colonize and use plastic litter as habitat, creating complex interactions between pollution and biodiversity.

Exploring possible controlling factors of spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments of a river segment (Loire River, France)

At 14 sites along an 8 km Loire River segment, microplastic concentrations and polymer types varied significantly by sedimentary environment, with grain size and flooding frequency as key controlling factors for MP spatial distribution in river sediments.

Massive plastic pollution in a mega-river of a developing country: Sediment deposition and ingestion by fish (Prochilodus lineatus)

Researchers documented massive plastic pollution in Argentina's Paraná River, recording up to 5.05 macroplastic items per meter dominated by bags, food wrappers, and foam, with microplastic ingestion also confirmed in the fish Prochilodus lineatus, linked to inadequate waste management near urban tributaries.

Anthropogenic particle abundance and characteristics in seawater and intertidal sediments of the Tonkin Bay Coast (North Vietnam)

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in seawater and intertidal sediments at four sites along the northern Vietnam coast, finding fiber particles as the dominant type in both compartments. Higher microplastic levels were recorded during the rainy season, suggesting rivers are a primary transport route carrying plastic from inland sources to the sea. The study provides rare baseline data for a developing-country coastal zone and emphasizes that even smaller polymer fragments below the measured size range likely represent a significant unquantified hazard.

Microplastic Abundance in Seawater and Marine Sediments from the Northern of Vietnam

Microplastic abundance and characteristics in seawater and inter-tidal sediments of the Tokin Bay Coast (North Vietnam)

This study characterized microplastic abundance and properties in seawater and intertidal sediments along the northern coast of Vietnam, providing some of the first systematic microplastic data for this developing country. The results document significant contamination in abiotic marine compartments of a rapidly industrializing coastal region.

Microplastics Distribution in Riverine Side Bars: The Combined Effect of Wind and Current

High Cycle Fatigue Testing and Analysis Using Car Standard Sequence

This study used a custom software-controlled servo-hydraulic machine to perform uniaxial and biaxial variable-amplitude fatigue tests on high-strength steel under the automotive CARLOS loading sequence. A crack front model was used to estimate crack nucleation life, providing data relevant to the fatigue design of vehicle suspension components.

Sustainable Management of the Upper Rhine River and Its Alluvial Plain: Lessons from Interdisciplinary Research in France and Germany

This international review covers sustainable management approaches for the upper Rhine River and its alluvial plain, addressing flood risk, biodiversity conservation, and pollution control. The paper synthesizes multi-disciplinary research on balancing ecological and socioeconomic needs in one of Europes most heavily managed river systems. This is a river management review with limited direct relevance to microplastic research.

High Cycle Fatigue Testing and Analysis Using Car Standard Sequence

Using custom servo-hydraulic testing software, this study performed uniaxial and biaxial fatigue tests on high-strength steel under the automotive CARLOS variable amplitude loading sequence, combining tension, torsion, and proportional loading conditions. A crack-front model was used to estimate crack nucleation life for wheel suspension component fatigue design.