Papers

Plastic 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.

Bivalve Haemocyte Subpopulations: A Review

This review examined bivalve haemocyte subpopulations and their classification methods, highlighting how different haemocyte types perform distinct immune functions critical to both the ecological success and commercial production of bivalve molluscs.

GIS mapping of agricultural plastic waste in southern Europe

Researchers used geographic information systems to map the generation and distribution of agricultural plastic waste across four southern European countries: Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal. They quantified plastic waste from different farming systems at the regional level and identified hotspots where waste management infrastructure is most needed. The study provides a spatial framework that could help policymakers target plastic waste reduction strategies in agriculture.

Microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymers in experimental mesocosms across an environmental gradient

Microalgal colonization of five different microplastic polymer types was monitored in freshwater mesocosms across an environmental gradient, finding that polymer type, surface properties, and environmental conditions all influenced the biomass and community composition of epiplastic microalgal biofilms.

Automatic detection of airborne pollen: an overview

Researchers reviewed the state of automated pollen monitoring technology, contrasting new real-time instruments with traditional manual counting methods that deliver results days after collection. Several commercial automatic devices now exist that can identify airborne pollen much faster, which is critical for allergy forecasting and public health response.

What Do We Know About the Effects of Microplastics on Soil?

This review examines the effects of microplastics on soil ecosystems, covering how mulching, wastewater irrigation, sludge application, and atmospheric deposition introduce microplastics to soil, where they alter physicochemical properties, affect microbial communities, and carry co-pollutants.

Non-native freshwater fauna in Portugal: A review

Researchers compiled the most comprehensive list to date of 67 non-native freshwater fauna species established in Portugal, documenting that introduction rates quadrupled after the 1970s, primarily driven by fisheries, with fish and mollusks most represented and most ecological impacts poorly studied for amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.

Dealing with Plastic Waste from Agriculture Activity

This review examines plastic waste generated by agricultural activities in Portugal and Europe — including mulch films, greenhouse covers, and irrigation tubing — and evaluates current recycling rates, contamination barriers, and strategies for improving plastic recovery from farming operations.

Towards a Sustainable Future: Advancing an Integrated Approach for the Recycling and Valorization of Agricultural Plastics

This review surveys current methods for recycling and valorizing agricultural plastics—films, mulches, and greenhouse covers—highlighting that inadequate end-of-life management leads to soil and water contamination and eventual microplastic formation. A more integrated, circular approach to agricultural plastic design and disposal is needed to prevent these materials from fragmenting into persistent environmental pollutants.

The importance of population contextual data for large-scale biomonitoring using an apex predator: The Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

Researchers assessed the value of tawny owls as sentinel species for large-scale contaminant monitoring, finding that accounting for population-level ecological traits such as diet and dispersal significantly improves the interpretation of spatial patterns in contaminant exposure.

Preliminary assessment of the knowledge gaps to improve soil structure

Occurrence of plastic debris in the stomach of the invasive crab Eriocheir sinensis

Researchers examined stomach contents of 302 Chinese mitten crabs from Baltic and Portuguese waters, finding microplastic strands and balls in 13% of individuals, mostly transparent fragments likely originating from fishing gear — raising concern for both crab health and human consumers who eat this commercially harvested species.

Removal of Microplastics and Nanoplastics From Water

This review examines strategies for removing microplastics and nanoplastics from water environments, surveying the effectiveness of sponges, aerogels, metal-based materials, biochar, and activated carbons as sorbents, and contextualizing these approaches within the broader problem of plastic fragmentation via oxidation, photodegradation, and mechanical processes.

Experimental data of photovoltaic cable submersion tests

This dataset contains results from submersion tests of photovoltaic (solar panel) cables in freshwater and artificial seawater under realistic conditions. The tests tracked electrical insulation degradation and changes in water chemistry over time. The data is relevant to understanding how plastic-insulated cables used in floating solar installations contribute to microplastic pollution in water bodies.

The fate of three common plastic nanoparticles in water: A molecular dynamics study

Trends and biological effects of environmental contaminants in lamprey

This review synthesizes available research on environmental contaminant exposure and biological effects in lampreys, a group of ecologically and culturally significant fish. It is the first comprehensive synthesis on this topic and highlights lampreys as potentially useful bioindicators of aquatic contamination.

Experimental data of photovoltaic cable submersion tests

This is a duplicate dataset entry for the photovoltaic cable submersion tests (same as 45414). The experimental data covers plastic cable insulation degradation under freshwater and seawater conditions. It supports assessment of microplastic release from infrastructure-related plastic materials in aquatic environments.

Dataset for journal article: Nava et al. (2021) "Microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymers in experimental mesocosms across an environmental gradient"

This is a dataset and R script for a study on microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymer types in experimental mesocosms along an environmental gradient. The data supports investigation of how polymer type and environmental conditions influence biofilm development on plastic surfaces.

Editorial: Obesogens in the XXI century: Emerging health challenges

This editorial introduces a collection of papers on obesogens—chemical compounds that disrupt metabolic regulation and contribute to obesity—as an emerging 21st-century public health challenge. It frames the field within the broader context of rising global obesity rates and the WHO's identification of obesity as a major noncommunicable disease risk.

Dataset for journal article: Nava et al. (2021) "Microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymers in experimental mesocosms across an environmental gradient"

This is a dataset and R script for a study on microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymer types in experimental mesocosms along an environmental gradient. The data supports investigation of how polymer type and environmental conditions influence biofilm development on plastic surfaces.

Experimental data of photovoltaic cable submersion tests

This data article presents experimental results from submersion tests of photovoltaic (PV) cables with two different insulation materials in freshwater and artificial seawater, simulating real-life conditions of floating PV installations. Electrical insulation integrity was tested weekly, and water samples were periodically analyzed for dissolved copper and microplastic traces to detect cable degradation. The dataset supports assessment of environmental contamination risks from floating solar energy infrastructure in aquatic environments.

Floating photovoltaic systems: photovoltaic cable submersion and impacts analysis

This study examined potential risks to photovoltaic cables from submersion in floating solar panel systems deployed on water bodies, assessing electrical performance and material integrity over time. The study also notes that plastic cable components degrading in water could contribute microplastics to aquatic environments, a largely unaddressed concern.

Dataset for journal article: Nava et al. (2021) "Microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymers in experimental mesocosms across an environmental gradient"

This is a dataset and R script for a study on microalgae colonization of different microplastic polymer types in experimental mesocosms along an environmental gradient. The data supports investigation of how polymer type and environmental conditions influence biofilm development on plastic surfaces.

Characterization of Microbial Communities Associated with Ceramic Raw Materials as Potential Contributors for the Improvement of Ceramic Rheological Properties

This study characterized microbial communities in ceramic raw materials to evaluate their potential as natural additives that improve ceramic processing properties through secretion of exopolysaccharides. Both culture methods and DNA analysis identified bacterial and fungal species including Sphingomonas, Aspergillus, and Aureobasidium that produce extracellular polymers with viscosity control and gelation properties.