Papers

Microplastics in the bloodstream can induce cerebral embolism and neurological impairment

Protecting and restoring habitats to benefit freshwater biodiversity

This paper reviews how protecting and restoring freshwater habitats can help reverse the steep decline in river, lake, and wetland biodiversity. Human activities like damming, agriculture, and urbanization have fragmented and degraded these ecosystems at alarming rates. While not focused on microplastics specifically, the review is relevant because reducing pollution, including plastic waste, is a key part of freshwater habitat restoration 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.

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.

A global spatial analysis reveals where marine aquaculture can benefit nature and people

A global spatial analysis identified marine ecoregions with the greatest potential for shellfish and seaweed aquaculture to simultaneously restore coastal ecosystems and provide food benefits to humanity, with highest opportunity regions in Oceania, North America, and parts of Asia. The study proposes a strategic framework for expanding sustainable marine aquaculture in alignment with ecosystem recovery goals.

Health impacts of microplastic exposure

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.

Presence of microplastics in carotid plaques linked to cardiovascular events

Sewage pollution: mitigation is key for coral reef stewardship

This review synthesized evidence that sewage discharge affects coral reefs through multiple simultaneous stressors — including nutrients, pathogens, sediment, endocrine disruptors, and pharmaceuticals — and argued that sewage must be managed as a complex pollutant mixture rather than a single stressor. The findings point to wastewater treatment as a critical intervention for coral reef conservation.

Microplastics pollution in the sediments of creeks and estuaries of Kenya, western Indian Ocean

Microplastic contamination was documented in sediments of creeks and estuaries along the Kenyan coast in the western Indian Ocean, with higher concentrations near urban centers and tourist areas, filling a major gap in microplastic monitoring data for East African coastal ecosystems and confirming regional contamination levels comparable to more studied ocean regions.

Introduction to the Marine Policy special issue on abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear: Causes, magnitude, impacts, mitigation methods and priorities for monitoring and evidence-informed management

Performance of a One-Dimensional Model of Wave-Driven Nearshore Alongshore Tracer Transport and Decay with Applications for Dry Weather Coastal Pollution

Researchers developed a one-dimensional wave-driven model to predict nearshore transport and decay of dry weather coastal pollutants along a 30 km stretch of the US-Mexico border region. The model showed high skill in reproducing tracer transport patterns from a 3D hydrodynamic model, supporting beach water quality forecasting.

An aerosol odyssey: Navigating nutrient flux changes to marine ecosystems

This perspective reviews how aerosol deposition to the ocean surface influences marine biogeochemical cycles, including nutrient inputs that affect primary productivity and ecosystem function. The authors highlight key knowledge gaps and emerging research priorities in aerosol-ocean interactions.

Ominous trends in nature recreation

This commentary discusses ominous trends in outdoor recreation and their consequences for natural environments, noting that increasing numbers of visitors to natural areas bring with them plastic waste and other contaminants. The piece highlights the growing role of recreational activities in distributing micro- and nano-plastics across natural landscapes.

Quantity and fate of synthetic microfiber emissions from apparel washing in California and strategies for their reduction

Researchers quantified synthetic microfiber emissions from apparel washing across California, finding laundry to be a major microplastic source, and evaluated strategies including appliance filters and fabric standards to reduce microfiber releases to wastewater systems.

Recommendation: Integrated watershed management solutions for healthy coastal ecosystems and people — R0/PR3

This review examines how land-based pollution — sediments, nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens — damages tropical coastal ecosystems including coral reefs and harms human health through disease transmission, reduced fisheries, and contaminated seafood. The authors propose integrated watershed management strategies requiring multi-sector collaboration to address these overlapping threats.

Integrated Diagnosis of Biodiversity, Water Quality, and Aquatic Resources as an Insight for Conservation Strategies and Sustainability of Artisanal Fishing on the Tapajós River

A synthesis of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative according to the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation

This review synthesizes the outcomes of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation framework to assess conservation effectiveness across the Great Lakes ecosystem. Researchers examined how the initiative's strategies addressed key threats to aquatic biodiversity, habitat, and water quality across the region.

Trash Taxonomy Tool: harmonizing classification systems used to describe trash in environments

Researchers analyzed 68 trash survey classification lists to assess the comparability of existing typology systems for describing solid waste pollution in environmental monitoring programs worldwide. They developed a standardized relational framework to harmonize classification systems, enabling cross-dataset comparisons and improving the utility of global trash monitoring data.

Anatomically-specific coupling between innate immune gene repertoire and microbiome structure during coral evolution

This study found that different coral species have distinct coupling between their immune gene repertoires and microbiome composition, suggesting evolutionary specialization of host-microbe relationships. Coral microbiomes are being disrupted by plastic pollution, making understanding baseline coral immunity relevant to assessing plastic pollution impacts on reef health.