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Papers
67 resultsShowing papers from Purdue University West Lafayette
ClearA meta-analysis of the effects of exposure to microplastics on fish and aquatic invertebrates
Microplastic effects on fish and aquatic invertebrates were highly variable across taxa, but the most consistent finding was reduced consumption of natural prey when microplastics were present; zooplankton and other prey organisms appeared particularly susceptible, with potential food web ramifications.
2024 roadmap on membrane desalination technology at the water-energy nexus
This roadmap review covers the latest advances in membrane technology for turning seawater and brackish water into drinking water. While the paper focuses on desalination engineering, it notes that membrane filtration is also being explored as a way to remove microplastics from water supplies, which is relevant to reducing human exposure through drinking water.
Toxicological impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on humans: understanding the mechanistic aspect of the interaction
This review explains the different ways microplastics and nanoplastics cause harm in the human body, including triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and disruption of gut bacteria. The smaller the plastic particle, the more easily it crosses biological barriers like the gut wall and blood-brain barrier, potentially reaching organs throughout the body. The authors highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased plastic waste, adding to the growing burden of human microplastic exposure.
Environmental microplastic and nanoplastic: Exposure routes and effects on coagulation and the cardiovascular system
This review explores how environmental microplastic and nanoplastic particles may affect blood coagulation and the cardiovascular system in humans. Researchers summarized evidence suggesting that plastic particles can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, potentially triggering inflammatory responses in blood vessels. The study highlights the need for more research on how chronic exposure to these tiny plastic particles may contribute to cardiovascular health risks.
Recent Progresses in Machine Learning Assisted Raman Spectroscopy
This review covers how machine learning is being combined with Raman spectroscopy to improve the analysis of complex materials, including environmental samples. Traditional spectral analysis methods struggle with the volume and complexity of modern data, but AI techniques can extract meaningful patterns more efficiently. These advances are directly relevant to microplastic identification, where Raman spectroscopy is a primary detection tool.
Developments and application of chitosan-based adsorbents for wastewater treatments
This review examines the use of chitosan, a natural material derived from crustacean shells, as an adsorbent for removing pollutants from wastewater. Researchers found that chitosan-based composites, especially those enhanced with nanoparticles, are effective at removing metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and microplastics from water. The material's low cost, biodegradability, and versatility make it a promising tool for addressing water contamination worldwide.
Atmospheric cold plasma as a novel approach to remediating microplastics pollution in water
Scientists demonstrated for the first time that atmospheric cold plasma — an energy-efficient technology that generates highly reactive molecules — can break down polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics in water. The treatment degraded the microplastics by up to 11% in just 30 minutes through oxidation reactions. While still in early stages, this low-cost approach could eventually become a practical method for removing microplastics from drinking and wastewater.
Generation of Eroded Nanoplastics from Domestic Wastes and Their Impact on Macrophage Cell Viability and Gene Expression
Researchers created nanoplastics from common household plastic waste like water bottles, styrofoam, and plastic bags, then tested their effects on immune cells. All types of nanoplastics killed immune cells in a dose-dependent way and triggered changes in genes related to inflammation, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene being the most toxic. This study shows that the tiny plastic particles shed from everyday items can harm immune cells, which could weaken the body's ability to fight infection and disease.
Photodegradation-driven microparticle release from commercial plastic water bottles
Researchers exposed seventy PET plastic water bottles to sunlight for ten weeks and measured the microparticles released into the water as the plastic degraded. They found that microparticle concentrations built up to 14-20 micrograms per liter within the first 30 days before plateauing, and that thinner-walled bottles with higher crystallinity released fewer particles. The study demonstrates that sunlight-driven degradation of plastic bottles is a meaningful source of microplastics in bottled drinking water.
The combination of hyperspectral imaging, untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics highlights a coordinated stress-related biochemical reprogramming triggered by polyethylene nanoparticles in lettuce
Researchers used advanced imaging and metabolic profiling to study how polyethylene nanoplastics affect lettuce plants grown in contaminated soil. They found that the nanoplastics triggered a coordinated stress response, altering the plant's metabolism of sugars, amino acids, and lipids even at low concentrations. The study suggests that nanoplastic pollution in agricultural soils could affect crop quality and plant health in ways not visible to the naked eye.
Aquatic Pollution in the Bay of Bengal: Impacts on Fisheries and Ecosystems
This review examines the sources and impacts of aquatic pollution in the Bay of Bengal, including heavy metals, pesticides, petroleum compounds, and microplastics. Researchers found that rivers transport these pollutants from inland areas to the bay, where they accumulate in fish and other marine life, posing threats to food safety through bioaccumulation. The study calls for stronger pollution controls, real-time water monitoring, and sustainable practices to protect both the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
Exploring microplastic impact on whole blood clotting dynamics utilizing thromboelastography
Researchers used a blood clotting analysis technique to study how polystyrene microplastics of different sizes and surface types affect human blood clotting. They found that negatively charged particles consistently activated the clotting process, increasing both the speed and strength of clot formation in a size-dependent manner. The findings highlight that microplastic surface chemistry and particle size play important roles in how these particles might interact with blood.
Single and combined toxicity assessment of primary or UV-aged microplastics and adsorbed organic pollutants on microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa
Researchers investigated the single and combined toxicity of polyamide microplastics with the pollutants sulfamethoxazole and dicamba on the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. They found that UV-aged microplastics caused different toxic effects than pristine ones, and that microplastics altered the bioavailability and toxicity of the co-occurring pollutants. The study suggests that environmental aging of microplastics changes their interactions with other contaminants, potentially affecting aquatic organisms in complex ways.
Acute polyethylene microplastic (PE-MPs) exposure activates the intestinal mucosal immune network pathway in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polyethylene microplastics at various concentrations for seven days and examined intestinal immune responses. They found that higher concentrations reduced protective goblet cells and significantly altered the gut microbiome, increasing potentially harmful bacteria like Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. The study suggests that microplastic exposure activates the intestinal immune network through disruption of the gut microbial community.
Polystyrene nanoplastic induces oxidative stress, immune defense, and glycometabolism change in Daphnia pulex: Application of transcriptome profiling in risk assessment of nanoplastics
Researchers used transcriptome sequencing to examine how polystyrene nanoplastics affect gene expression in the water flea Daphnia pulex. After 96 hours of exposure, they identified 208 genes with altered expression levels, linked to oxidative stress, immune defense, and sugar metabolism pathways. The study provides molecular-level evidence that nanoplastic pollution can trigger multiple stress responses in freshwater organisms.
Emerging trends in nanoparticle toxicity and the significance of using Daphnia as a model organism
Researchers reviewed why the freshwater crustacean Daphnia is a valuable model organism for nanoparticle toxicity testing, summarizing how nanoparticle size, charge, and surface chemistry influence toxicity in Daphnia and highlighting key knowledge gaps in nanoplastic environmental risk assessment.
Atmospheric emission of nanoplastics from sewer pipe repairs
Researchers identified sewer pipe repairs as a previously unrecognized source of atmospheric nanoplastic emissions. The study found that mechanical work on plastic sewer pipes releases nanoplastic particles into the air, challenging the assumption that environmental nanoplastics originate solely from weathering of existing plastic debris and highlighting a direct emission source with potential health implications.
Reintroduction of at-risk forest tree species using biotechnology depends on regulatory policy, informed by science and with public support
This review examined how biotechnology approaches like genetic engineering could help reintroduce forest tree species threatened by invasive pests, emphasizing that success depends on science-informed regulatory policies and public acceptance.
Gut Microbiota as a Potential Player in Mn-Induced Neurotoxicity
This review examined how manganese overexposure disrupts gut microbiota and contributes to neurotoxicity, discussing how microbial dysbiosis may amplify neurodegeneration through proinflammatory metabolites and altered neuronal signaling pathways.
Exposure route affects the distribution and toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish
Researchers compared waterborne versus microinjection exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish and found that aqueous exposure delivered higher nanoplastic concentrations to the brain and eyes, caused greater developmental abnormalities, reduced antioxidant gene expression, and produced more severe behavioral effects than direct injection, highlighting exposure route as a critical variable in nanoplastic toxicity.
A Data Warehouse for Water Quality Data Accessibility in the Great Lakes
Scientists are building a database to track harmful chemicals called PFAS in the Great Lakes, which provide drinking water to millions of people. These "forever chemicals" have been found at concerning levels in all the Great Lakes due to decades of industrial pollution, potentially threatening human health. The new system will help researchers, government officials, and communities better understand where these toxins are located and how to clean them up.
Microplastics impact simple aquatic food web dynamics through reduced zooplankton feeding and potentially releasing algae from consumer control
Researchers investigated how environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics affect freshwater food web dynamics using two zooplankton species. The study found that microplastic exposure reduced zooplankton feeding rates, which could potentially release algae from consumer control and disrupt aquatic food chain balance.
Microplastic Effects on Thrombin–Fibrinogen Clotting Dynamics Measured via Turbidity and Thromboelastography
Researchers found that microplastics directly altered fibrin clot formation dynamics in a human thrombin-fibrinogen model, with effects varying by plastic type, size, and concentration, suggesting potential impacts on blood clotting and cardiovascular health.