Papers

Isolation of a novel microplastic-degrading bacterial strain: a promising agent for low-density polyethylene remediation

Researchers isolated and compared two bacterial strains for their ability to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), identifying Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus as a novel candidate for plastic remediation. The study found that P. nitroguajacolicus showed superior growth and metabolic activity when using LDPE as its sole carbon source, while both strains produced visible structural and chemical changes in the plastic, suggesting complementary roles in potential bioremediation strategies.

A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches

Researchers coordinated a global sampling effort across 209 marine turtle nesting beaches in six ocean basins to assess microplastic contamination in beach sediments. They found microplastics present on 45% of beaches, with the Mediterranean showing the highest contamination rate at 80%. The study provides an open-access dataset to support ongoing monitoring of plastic pollution in critical nesting habitats.

Wastewater treatment plant performance assessment using time-function-based effluent quality index and multiple regression models: the case of Bahir Dar textile factory

Researchers evaluated the performance of a textile factory's wastewater treatment plant in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, finding that effluent levels for multiple parameters exceeded acceptable discharge limits. They developed multiple regression models to assess pollution loads, estimating the plant discharged between 493 and 655 kilograms of pollutants per day into a nearby river. The study highlights the need for improved operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems in the textile industry.

Electrochemical Detection of Microplastics in Aqueous Media

Researchers demonstrated that microplastics in water can be detected electrochemically by counting oxygen reduction events when plastic particles collide with a carbon microwire electrode, finding a linear relationship between particle concentration and collision frequency.

Textile wastewater treatment plant performance assessment using time-function based effluent quality index and multiple regression models

This paper is not about microplastics; it assesses the performance of a textile factory wastewater treatment plant in Ethiopia, finding that key pollutants like BOD, COD, and chromium regularly exceed discharge limits.

Ingestion and translocation of microplastics in tissues of deposit-feeding crabs (Grapsoidea, Ocypodoidea) in Kochi estuary, Japan

More than half of 116 intertidal crabs collected from a Japanese estuary contained microplastics, with PET fragments dominating and particles concentrated primarily in the gut. Smaller deposit-feeding crab species carried a higher microplastic burden relative to body weight than larger omnivorous species, showing that feeding behavior and body size both shape how much plastic wildlife accumulates in contaminated estuaries.

Sustainability Awareness through STEAM+

This paper argues for expanding STEM education to a STEAM+ framework that incorporates humanities, community needs, and global sustainability concerns aligned with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals to build broader societal sustainability awareness.

Storying Diffractive Pedagogy

This paper investigates how student teachers engage with materials and cooperative learning in early childhood teacher education programs. It is an education research paper using posthumanist theory, with no relevance to microplastics.

The Aquatic Surface Robot (AnSweR), a Lightweight, Low Cost, Multipurpose Unmanned Research Vessel

Microplastic Pollution in three Rivers in South Eastern Norway

Researchers sampled three rivers in southeastern Norway representing different land use types to measure microplastic pollution levels. Microplastics were found in all rivers, with concentrations varying by river and flow conditions, and fibers dominating the composition. The study also tested different sampling and analysis methods to identify the most practical approach for routine monitoring of freshwater microplastic pollution.