We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
53 resultsShowing papers from University of California, Santa Barbara
ClearPlastic debris in lakes and reservoirs
Researchers conducted the first standardized cross-national survey of plastic debris in 38 lakes and reservoirs, finding plastic in every water body sampled and showing that densely populated urban lakes and large reservoirs with long water-retention times accumulate plastic at concentrations rivaling the most polluted ocean garbage patches.
Animal migration in the Anthropocene: threats and mitigation options
This review examines the many human-caused threats facing migratory animals worldwide, including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, disease, and overexploitation. While broadly focused on wildlife conservation, the paper is relevant to microplastic research because plastic pollution is identified as one of the threats affecting migratory species across aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial environments. The review emphasizes that these threats often interact in unpredictable ways, making the combined impact worse than any single stressor alone.
Predicting environmental concentrations of nanomaterials for exposure assessment - a review
This review covers advances in predicting how much engineered nanomaterials end up in the environment, which is essential for assessing exposure risks. Scientists have progressed from basic estimates to more sophisticated models that account for particle size, movement, and chemical changes, helping researchers better understand potential human and ecological exposure levels.
Elimination of microplastics, PFAS, and PPCPs from biosolids via pyrolysis to produce biochar: Feasibility and techno-economic analysis
Researchers found that heating sewage sludge (biosolids) through a process called pyrolysis at temperatures of 400-700 degrees Celsius removed virtually all harmful contaminants -- over 99.9% of pharmaceuticals and PFAS ("forever chemicals") and 91-97% of microplastics. The process also produces biochar that can be used as a fertilizer, potentially turning a waste disposal problem into a revenue source. This approach could prevent microplastics and other pollutants from spreading to farmland through standard biosolid application.
Quantifying the Dynamics of Polystyrene Microplastics UV-Aging Process
Researchers used a specialized mass spectrometry technique to track how polystyrene microplastics break down under UV light, quantifying changes in both particle size and number over time. They found that UV aging rapidly shrank particles from 5 micrometers down to 1 micrometer while tripling the total particle count, generating large numbers of smaller fragments. Toxicity tests on water fleas showed that fresh microplastics caused immediate harm to feeding and growth, while aged fragments produced longer-term reproductive effects.
The ecological impacts of marine debris: unraveling the demonstrated evidence from what is perceived
This systematic review critically examined the evidence for ecological damage caused by marine debris, including plastic pollution. Researchers found 366 perceived environmental threats from marine debris, and when tested, 83% of those threats were confirmed through scientific studies. This large-scale confirmation of marine debris impacts reinforces concerns about microplastics harming ocean ecosystems that humans depend on for food.
Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity
Researchers exposed lugworms to sediment containing 5% microplastic pre-loaded with pollutants and plastic additives, confirming that ingested microplastic transfers chemicals into gut tissue — with nonylphenol uptake from PVC reducing immune cell function by over 60% and triclosan from PVC causing sediment-engineering impairment and mortality exceeding 55%.
Mediterranean rocky reefs in the Anthropocene: Present status and future concerns
This review assesses the current status and future threats facing Mediterranean rocky reef ecosystems in the context of climate change and human pressures. The study suggests that ongoing degradation of these biodiverse habitats, driven by warming, pollution, and overexploitation, could profoundly affect the essential ecological goods and services that coastal communities depend on.
A trait‐based framework for assessing the vulnerability of marine species to human impacts
Researchers developed a trait-based framework to assess the vulnerability of over 44,000 marine species across 12 taxonomic groups to 22 anthropogenic stressors including pollution and climate change. They found that mollusks, corals, and echinoderms had the highest overall vulnerability, while biomass removal from fishing posed the greatest threat across species. The framework provides a systematic approach for predicting how marine biodiversity will respond to human pressures, which can help guide conservation priorities.
Retrospective Study of the Prevalence, Histopathology, Therapy, and Survival Time of Neoplastic Disease in Fish
Researchers reviewed cancer cases in fish from zoos, aquariums, and private collections across the U.S. and England, finding that koi and goldfish had the highest rates of tumors. Out of 455 cases, very few fish received any treatment, though surgical removal of tumors appeared to improve outcomes when it was attempted. The study highlights a significant gap in veterinary cancer care for fish species.
A Review of Environmental Pollution from the Use and Disposal of Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes: Contaminants, Sources, and Impacts
Researchers reviewed the environmental pollution caused by the use and disposal of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, including their role as a source of microplastic contamination. Cigarette butts made of cellulose acetate are minimally degradable and represent a major source of both bulk plastic and microplastic pollution, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. The study documents that cigarette butt leachate and nicotine are toxic to a wide range of organisms from microbes to mammals.
Effect of trade on global aquatic food consumption patterns
Researchers analyzed seafood trade data from 174 countries between 1976 and 2019 and found that while global per-person seafood consumption has risen, the average trophic level of what people eat is declining — meaning diets are shifting toward farm-raised, lower-trophic species like shrimp and tilapia rather than wild-caught fish. Trade was found to increase both the availability and diversity of seafood in over 60% of countries, reducing geographic inequality in diet quality.
Conceptual framework for identifying polymers of concern
Researchers proposed a framework for identifying which plastic polymers should be prioritized for regulation based on both the type of plastic and how it is used throughout its lifecycle. The study recommends a precautionary approach that considers the volume of plastics entering ecosystems alongside their known environmental and health impacts. The framework aims to help policymakers develop targeted strategies, from bans to redesign incentives, as part of the ongoing UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty.
Detergent-mediated reduction of fiber fragment emissions during conventional machine laundering of textiles and garments
Researchers tested a novel "low shed" liquid detergent formulated to reduce synthetic fiber fragment emissions during machine laundering and found it consistently decreased microfiber release compared to conventional detergents. The results were consistent across multiple textile types and testing facilities, and similar reductions were observed for complete wash-and-dry garment laundering. The study suggests that adopting low-shed detergent formulations could provide an immediate and widely accessible way to reduce microplastic fiber pollution from laundry.
Matrix Matters: novel insights for the extraction, preparation, and quantitation of microplastics in a freshwater mesocosm study
Researchers developed improved methods for extracting, preparing, and quantifying secondary microplastics in freshwater mesocosm studies, addressing the current lack of reliable extraction techniques needed for robust microplastic exposure and risk assessments.
A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation
Researchers convened a transdisciplinary panel of 30 marine experts to identify 15 emerging issues likely to significantly impact marine and coastal biodiversity over the next decade, including wildfire runoff, novel biodegradable materials, and soft robotics, using a modified Delphi voting process to prioritize from 75 candidate issues.
The Baltic Health Index (BHI): Assessing the social–ecological status of the Baltic Sea
Researchers introduced the Baltic Health Index (BHI) as a transparent, collaborative tool that integrates ecological and human-dimension metrics to assess the social-ecological health of the Baltic Sea, complementing existing ecological status frameworks.
A global inventory of small floating plastic debris
Researchers compiled a global inventory of small floating plastic debris from ocean surface sampling expeditions, estimating the total abundance and mass of floating microplastics and identifying the major oceanic accumulation zones.
Cumulative impact assessment for ecosystem-based marine spatial planning
This review examines how cumulative human impact assessments — which combine pressures from fishing, pollution, shipping, and other sources — can be integrated into marine spatial planning to better balance human uses against ecosystem health.
Physiological differences between wild and captive animals: a century-old dilemma
This commentary explores why laboratory animals often show different physiological responses compared to their wild counterparts, a longstanding challenge in experimental biology. Researchers discuss several mechanisms that may explain these discrepancies and propose strategies for improving how lab-based findings are applied to understanding wild animal physiology in the context of environmental change.
Highest risk abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear
Researchers ranked fishing gear types by their derelict gear risk scores — combining production rates, fishing intensity, and documented harm to wildlife — finding that gillnets, longlines, and fish traps posed the highest risks, and recommending these as priority targets for derelict gear retrieval programs.
Degradation and lifetime prediction of plastics in subsea and offshore infrastructures
This review examines the degradation of synthetic plastics used in subsea and offshore infrastructure, presenting a new mathematical model to predict their lifespan at various ocean depths. Researchers found that plastic degradation rates decrease significantly with water depth due to changes in temperature, light intensity, and pressure. The model suggests that deeply submerged plastics may persist for extremely long periods, with important implications for microplastic generation from offshore structures.
The ecology of cancer prevalence across species: Cancer prevalence is highest in desert species and high trophic levels
Analysis of 14,267 necropsy records across 244 vertebrate species found that cancer prevalence was highest in species from desert habitats and those occupying high trophic levels such as secondary carnivores, while species in high-productivity environments had lower cancer rates. The findings suggest ecological factors like diet and habitat productivity shape cancer risk across the animal kingdom.
100 Opportunities for More Inclusive Ocean Research: Cross-Disciplinary Research Questions for Sustainable Ocean Governance and Management
This paper synthesizes cross-disciplinary research questions from major ocean science and policy scanning exercises, producing a list of 100 questions that require collaborative approaches to inform sustainable ocean governance. Topics range from coastal environmental change to marine technology and socioeconomic innovation as they relate to ocean health.