Papers

A Call to Include Plastics in the Global Environment in the Class of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Pollutants

This viewpoint paper argues that plastics in the environment should be formally classified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutants, the same category as chemicals like DDT and mercury. The authors present evidence that plastics meet all three criteria: they resist degradation, accumulate in organisms and food chains, and release harmful chemicals. Reclassifying plastics this way could trigger stronger regulatory protections worldwide.

Plastics’ circular economy for the Galapagos Islands? Exploring plastics governance with implications for social and ocean equity in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Researchers explored the feasibility of implementing a plastics circular economy in the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site facing significant marine plastic pollution. They examined the governance structures needed to address plastic waste while balancing conservation goals with the needs of local communities. The study highlights how remote island communities in the global South face unique challenges in managing plastic pollution equitably.

Sorption of trace metals by macro- and microplastics within intertidal sediments: Insights from a long-term field study within Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Canada

Researchers placed macro- and microplastics made of two common polymer types in marine intertidal sediments in British Columbia, Canada, for an extended field study to measure how they absorb trace metals. They found that metal sorption depended on polymer type, plastic aging, particle size, and local environmental conditions such as proximity to pollution sources. The study demonstrates that plastics in marine sediments can accumulate concerning levels of metals like copper and zinc, potentially creating concentrated toxic hotspots.

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.

Microplastics in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) prey: An exploratory assessment of trophic transfer in the Beaufort Sea

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in five fish species that are prey for beluga whales in the eastern Beaufort Sea of the Arctic. They found microplastics in 21% of fish examined, predominantly fibers, and estimated that individual beluga whales may ingest between 3,800 and 145,000 microplastic particles annually through their diet.

Macro and micro plastics sorb and desorb metals and act as a point source of trace metals to coastal ecosystems

Researchers collected plastic debris from nine urban intertidal areas in Vancouver, Canada, and analyzed the metals sorbed onto different polymer types. They found that environmental plastics carried significantly higher metal concentrations than newly manufactured plastics, with zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead all detected. The study suggests that both macro and micro plastics act as point sources of trace metal contamination in coastal ecosystems.

Microplastics in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Eastern Beaufort Sea

Researchers partnered with Inuvialuit hunters in Canada's Northwest Territories to examine microplastic contamination in beluga whales from the Eastern Beaufort Sea. They found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of every whale sampled, with an average of 97 particles per individual and polyester fibers being the most common type. The diversity of plastic polymers and shapes found points to multiple contamination sources reaching even remote Arctic marine ecosystems.

Temperature affects the sorption of trace metals by macro- and microplastics within marine intertidal sediments: insights from a long-term laboratory-based study

Researchers conducted long-term laboratory experiments to understand how temperature affects the ability of macro- and microplastics to absorb trace metals like cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in marine sediments. They found that temperature changes altered the rate at which metals were absorbed and the equilibrium concentrations reached, while sediment organic matter also influenced sorption at all temperatures tested. The study provides insight into how warming ocean temperatures could change the way plastics interact with toxic metals in coastal environments.

Occurrence and size distribution of microplastics in mudflat sediments of the Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary, Canada: A baseline for plastic particles contamination in an anthropogenic-influenced estuary

Researchers established baseline microplastic contamination levels in mudflat sediments of the Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary in Canada, documenting particle size distributions and polymer types in this ecologically important habitat for shellfish, fish, and birds.

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.

Investigating the ecological and toxicological significance of Cyanox®53 recovered from intertidal sediments and varnish clam

Researchers examined the ecological and toxicological significance of Cyanox 53, a microplastic-associated chemical contaminant, found in intertidal sediments and varnish clams in British Columbia. The study suggests that this contaminant may pose risks to wildlife such as surf scoters that forage on contaminated clams, raising concerns about bioaccumulation in coastal food webs.

Proceed with caution: The need to raise the publication bar for microplastics research

This commentary argues that microplastics research suffers from a lack of methodological rigor and calls on journals and reviewers to enforce higher standards for clear, reproducible methods. The authors emphasize this is especially important because plastic pollution policy is being developed in real time alongside a rapidly evolving scientific field.

Abundance and distribution of microplastics within surface sediments of a key shellfish growing region of Canada

Microplastics were found across all sediment size classes at shellfish farming sites in British Columbia, Canada, with higher concentrations in finer sediment fractions. The results raise concerns for the safety of bivalves grown in this region and for the broader health of one of Canada's most productive shellfish aquaculture areas.

Microplastic distribution and composition in mudflat sediments and varnish clams (Nuttallia obscurata) at two estuaries of British Columbia, Canada: An assessment of potential anthropogenic sources

This study characterized the distribution, composition, and abundance of microplastics in mudflat sediments and in the tissues of varnish clams, a commercially harvested bivalve. High microplastic loads in both sediment and clam tissue raised concerns for seafood consumers and intertidal ecosystem health.

The environmental and health impacts of tobacco agriculture, cigarette manufacture and consumption

This review examines the environmental footprint of tobacco beyond the well-known health harms, covering impacts at every stage from crop growing to cigarette butt disposal. Cigarette filters — which are made of plastic — are among the most common items found in environmental litter surveys, contributing both microplastics and toxic chemicals to soil and water.

Fishes in a changing world: learning from the past to promote sustainability of fish populations

This review examines major threats to global fish populations including habitat loss, overfishing, climate change, and pollution, and calls for integrated management approaches to ensure sustainable fisheries. Plastic pollution — including ingestion of microplastics — is identified as one of the key emerging threats to fish populations that management frameworks must address.

Two forage fishes as potential conduits for the vertical transfer of microfibres in Northeastern Pacific Ocean food webs

Researchers examined microfibre ingestion in Pacific sand lance and Pacific herring collected by rhinoceros auklets across six colonies in British Columbia and Washington, finding very low prevalence (1.5% and 2.0% respectively) with no systematic relationship to local at-sea microplastic concentrations. A spike in contamination at one site in one year accounted for the majority of all microfibres recovered across 30 colony-years of sampling.

Reducing the Uncertainty of Microplastic Identification and the Preferred Use of the Varnish clam (<i>Nuttallia obscurata</i>) as Compared to Other Bivalves as a Biomonitor of Plastic Pollution

Using laboratory ingestion experiments and field sampling, this study demonstrates that the varnish clam (Nuttallia obscurata) is an effective biomonitor for microplastic pollution and can even help trace the source of plastic particles — specifically linking ingested microplastics to derelict shellfish aquaculture gear. Identifying reliable sentinel species and pollution sources is a key step in designing targeted interventions to reduce microplastic contamination in shellfish that humans eat.

Intertidal Concentrations of Microplastics and Their Influence on Ammonium Cycling as Related to the Shellfish Industry

Researchers determined the concentration and spatial distribution of microplastics in intertidal sediments at shellfish aquaculture sites and investigated their influence on ammonium cycling, finding that elevated microplastic concentrations altered nitrogen processing by benthic microbial communities. The results suggest microplastics at aquaculture densities may disrupt sediment nutrient dynamics with potential implications for shellfish productivity.

Density separation of petrous bone powders for optimized ancient DNA yields

Researchers developed a density separation technique for petrous bone powders to optimize ancient DNA extraction yields, improving the recovery of genetic material from archaeological remains. The method enhances the ability to study historical populations and evolutionary questions through ancient genomics.

Monitoring microplastic–contaminant sorption processes in real-time using membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Researchers used membrane introduction mass spectrometry for the first time to monitor in real time how contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nonylphenol sorb onto microplastics, finding that sorption rates scaled with contaminant hydrophobicity and varied by plastic type with LDPE absorbing contaminants 4–10 times faster than polystyrene.

Ocean Microplastic Footprint and Potential Exposure Index for Coastal Indigenous Communities

Researchers developed a Microplastic Potential Exposure Index (MPEI) by mapping ocean microplastic concentrations and estimating exposure through seafood consumption, finding that coastal Indigenous communities in countries like Kiribati, Greenland, and Canada face among the highest potential exposures. The index provides a practical tool for policymakers to identify the most vulnerable populations and prioritize interventions for plastic waste management and ocean pollution mitigation.

Use of sediment dwelling bivalves to biomonitor plastic particle pollution in intertidal regions; A review and study

Varnish and Manila clams from eight intertidal sites in British Columbia, Canada were evaluated as potential biomonitors for microplastic pollution. The study found these bivalves accumulate microplastics and could serve as useful indicators for tracking contamination trends in coastal ecosystems.

Sorption of Trace Metals by Macro- and Microplastics within Intertidal Sediments: Insights from a Long-Term Field Study within Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Canada