Papers

A Review of Materials for the Removal of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Different Environments

This review evaluates methods for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water, soil, and air, finding that traditional approaches like filtration work for larger particles but struggle with nanoscale plastics. Newer technologies like magnetic nanoparticles and photocatalysis show promise, but challenges remain in making these solutions affordable and scalable for real-world cleanup.

Airborne microplastics: a review study on method for analysis, occurrence, movement and risks

This review compiles findings from early studies on airborne microplastics, examining how they are sampled, identified, transported, and deposited in both indoor and outdoor environments. Researchers found that meteorological conditions, climate, and human activities all influence the distribution of atmospheric microplastics, which can be inhaled or settle onto food. The study warns that inhaled microplastics may cause localized inflammation and other health effects, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

Microplastics Exposure Routes and Toxicity Studies to Ecosystems: An Overview

This overview summarized information on microplastic exposure routes and toxicity across ecosystems, identifying four major pathways: entanglement, contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Researchers noted that humans may face the highest exposure risk due to their position at the top of the food chain, and that marine organisms, freshwater species, and terrestrial biota all show toxic effects from microplastic exposure.

Evidence of microplastics accumulation in the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fishes from an estuarine system in Ghana

Researchers examined the gills and digestive tracts of 10 fish species from an estuary in Ghana and found microplastics present in all species studied. Fibers were the most common microplastic shape, and the gills contained nearly as many particles as the digestive tract, indicating multiple uptake pathways. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastic contamination in fish is widespread across West African coastal waters.

Microplastics pollution in salt pans from the Maheshkhali Channel, Bangladesh

Researchers analyzed sea salt samples from eight salt pans in the Maheshkhali Channel of Bangladesh and found microplastic contamination in every sample, with concentrations ranging from 78 to 137 particles per kilogram. Fragments were the most common type, and the dominant polymers identified were terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. The findings highlight that sea salt represents a potentially significant route of human dietary exposure to microplastics.

Evaluation of nanoplastics toxicity to the human placenta in systems

Researchers evaluated the toxicity of ten different types of nanoplastics on human placental enzymes using molecular docking and computational analysis. They found that polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics showed the highest binding affinity to critical placental enzymes responsible for metabolic and detoxification functions. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy may interfere with placental enzyme activity, raising concerns about potential developmental effects.

PFAS Toxicity and Female Reproductive Health: A Review of the Evidence and Current State of Knowledge

This review synthesizes recent evidence on the connection between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and female reproductive health. The evidence suggests that PFAS exposure is associated with reduced fertility, increased risk of miscarriage, and altered menstrual cycle dynamics through mechanisms including endocrine disruption and oxidative stress. The review emphasizes the need for further research and policy changes to mitigate PFAS exposure and protect reproductive health.

Toxicity evaluation of microplastics to aquatic organisms through molecular simulations and fractional factorial designs

Researchers used molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and fractional factorial design to evaluate the toxicity of ten common microplastic types to zebrafish, identifying polystyrene and polyvinylchloride as the most toxic based on binding interactions with key biological proteins.

Urban stormwater pollutant dynamics, SuDS performance, and public health risks under intensifying extremes

This review of existing research found that when heavy rainstorms hit cities, they wash dangerous pollutants like germs, metals, and particles into waterways within just the first few minutes. These pollution spikes can make people sick through contaminated water, and green infrastructure like rain gardens helps reduce the problem but works less well during extreme storms or when not properly maintained. The findings suggest cities need better monitoring and maintenance systems to protect public health as climate change brings more intense rainfall.

Application of Index Models for Assessing Freshwater Microplastics Pollution

Researchers applied pollution and health risk index models to microplastic data from freshwater environments, demonstrating that standardized indices can help compare contamination levels across studies with different units and methodologies.

New Analytical Approaches for Effective Quantification and Identification of Nanoplastics in Environmental Samples

This review assessed new analytical approaches for quantifying and identifying nanoplastics in environmental samples, highlighting fundamental challenges in detection due to their small size and the need for improved methods to understand nanoplastic contamination levels.

A review: Water pollution by heavy metal and organic pollutants: Brief review of sources, effects and progress on remediation with aquatic plants

This review summarized phytoremediation strategies for water polluted with heavy metals and organic contaminants, comparing plant-based approaches to conventional treatment methods and evaluating physicochemical factors that affect removal efficiency. The authors identify aquatic plants as promising, cost-effective tools for addressing combined heavy metal and organic chemical contamination in water.

Microplastics, an Emerging Concern: A Review of Analytical Techniques for Detecting and Quantifying Microplatics

This review surveyed analytical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics published from 2000 to 2018, covering visual identification, spectroscopic, and pyrolysis-based techniques across environmental, food, and biological matrices. The authors identify the lack of standardized methods as a major barrier to generating comparable data on microplastic prevalence and health implications.

Index models for ecological and health risks assessment of environmental micro-and nano-sized plastics

This review presented and evaluated index models used to assess ecological and health risks from environmental micro- and nanoplastics, providing standardized methods for describing contamination levels and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health.

Environmental risk assessment of the intake of contaminants in aquifers in the vicinity of a reclaimed waste dumpsite in Owerri municipal, Southeastern Nigeria

Groundwater sampled from within and around reclaimed waste dumpsites in southeastern Nigeria showed acidic pH and elevated nitrate, aluminum, and chromium above WHO limits, with co-contamination patterns suggesting organic waste degradation as the primary pollution driver.

Microplastic–toxic chemical interaction: a review study on quantified levels, mechanism and implication

Emerging Global Threat of Microplastics and Their Impact on Soil Sustainability: A Case of Southeast Nigeria

This review examined microplastic pollution in Southeast Nigeria, focusing on sources from fragmented plastic waste and environmental and health impacts. The authors highlighted local knowledge gaps and called for regional policies addressing the ecological and endocrine-disrupting effects of microplastics in a rapidly developing area.

GREEN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY STRATEGIES FOR URBAN WASTEWATER MONITORING OF EMERGING CONTAMINANTS: A MACHINE LEARNING AND MULTI-TECHNIQUE STRATEGY

This study developed a green analytical chemistry strategy combining machine learning and multiple spectroscopic techniques to monitor emerging contaminants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in urban wastewater from Nigerian cities. The approach reduced toxic reagent use while improving detection accuracy for a wide range of contaminants.

Analytical techniques, occurrence and health effects of micro and nano plastics deposited in street dust

This review examines microplastics and nanoplastics in urban street dust, finding that polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, and tire-and-road wear particles are the most common types. Street dust is identified as a significant human exposure route through inhalation and ingestion, warranting further research.

Microplastics pollution indices of bottled water from South Eastern Nigeria

Microplastic contamination was evaluated in bottled water from South Eastern Nigeria using scanning electron microscopy, with pollution load indices and estimated daily intake calculated for adults and children, representing the first documented study of microplastics in bottled water from this region.

Blocking the interactions between human ACE2 and coronavirus spike glycoprotein by selected drugs: a computational perspective

Using computational modeling, this study screened selected drugs for their ability to block interactions between the human ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, identifying several candidates as potential COVID-19 therapeutics.

Indigenous dance and sustainable environmental development in Nigeria

This paper discusses the role of indigenous dance practices in promoting sustainable environmental development in Nigeria, examining how traditional cultural expression can foster ecological awareness and community-based conservation.

Progress and future perspectives of microplastic research in Nigeria

This review summarizes the state of microplastic research in Nigeria as of 2019-2020, noting detection in rivers, lagoons, and coastal waters, and highlighting the limited research capacity and funding constraining progress in this important but underrepresented region.

Microplastic-Toxic Chemical Interaction: A Review Study on Quantified Levels, Mechanism and Implication

This review summarizes quantified levels of heavy metals and hydrophobic organic contaminants sorbed onto microplastics in environmental media, examining adsorption and desorption mechanisms and discussing health implications of ingested microplastics acting as vectors for toxic chemical transport.