Papers

Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies

This paper proposes a framework for improving confidence in how scientists identify and measure micro- and nanoplastics in human tissues and body fluids. The authors argue that studies need to use multiple complementary analysis methods and clearly report their limitations to produce reliable data. Better standardization in detection methods is critical for accurately assessing how much microplastic is actually inside people's bodies and what health risks it may pose.

Towards harmonized ecotoxicological effect assessment of micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic systems

This review highlights the methodological problems in current microplastic and nanoplastic toxicity research on freshwater organisms, including the use of unrealistic plastic types, poor test designs, and environmentally irrelevant doses. The authors propose a harmonized framework for testing that better reflects real-world conditions, including more realistic particle types and exposure levels. Better standardized research is essential for accurately assessing the true environmental and health risks of micro and nanoplastic pollution.

Ecotoxicity testing of microplastics: Considering the heterogeneity of physicochemical properties

Researchers reviewed how the diverse physical and chemical properties of microplastics, including particle size, shape, crystallinity, surface chemistry, and polymer composition, may influence their ecotoxicity. They argue that standard testing with uniform microbeads fails to capture the heterogeneity of environmental microplastics and may lead to inaccurate risk assessments. The study calls for a more structured approach to testing different microplastic properties to identify the key drivers of toxicity.

Habitat recovery and restoration in aquatic ecosystems: current progress and future challenges

This review covers the current progress and future challenges in habitat recovery and restoration of aquatic ecosystems degraded by human pressures. The study highlights how contaminants including microplastics contribute to biodiversity decline and discusses strategies for reversing environmental degradation and restoring lost ecosystem functioning.

Microplastics in Morocco's most consumed fisheries: Chemical characterization, ecological traits, and implications for human health

Researchers analyzed 240 fish from 12 of Morocco's most commonly consumed species and found microplastics in 100% of samples, with particles detected in the gills, gonads, and digestive tracts. The most common plastics were polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene, predominantly appearing as fragments and fibers smaller than 1 mm. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics and associated heavy metals through everyday seafood consumption.

Microplastics Contamination and Potential Health Risks in the Newly Identified Oyster <i>Crassostrea (Magallana) saidii</i> from Malaysia’s Muar River Estuary

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a newly identified oyster species from Malaysia's Muar River estuary and found that microplastic abundance increased with oyster age, from about 3.4 particles in juveniles to 11.6 in adults. Fibers were the most common microplastic type, making up 58% of particles found. Health risk assessments indicated low to moderate hazard levels, and the study suggests this oyster species could serve as a useful bioindicator for monitoring estuarine microplastic pollution.

Urbanization Compromises the Sustainability of Coastal Ecosystems: Insights from the Reproductive Traits of the Bioindicator Clam Donax trunculus

This multi-year study (2018-2022) examined effects of increasing coastal urbanization on sediment quality and reproduction of the wedge clam Donax trunculus along Morocco's Atlantic coast. Accelerating urbanization was associated with increased organic matter in sediments and significant declines in clam abundance, biomass, and reproductive success, demonstrating that coastal development degrades intertidal ecosystem health.

Microplastic pollution drives soil bacterial community shifts and alters phosphorus cycling across land use gradients

Researchers conducted a landscape-scale field study across urban, mining, agricultural, and rural land-use types to measure accumulated microplastic levels and their effects on soil bacterial communities and phosphorus cycling. Microplastic contamination shifted bacterial community composition and impaired phosphorus mineralization, with effects scaling with land-use intensity and microplastic abundance.

Uncertainties in Visual Observations of Floating Riverine Plastic

This study quantified the uncertainty in visual observation methods for monitoring floating plastic debris in rivers, finding that observer variability, counting distance, and lighting conditions introduce substantial error margins that are rarely acknowledged in published monitoring data.

Novel method for the extraction and identification of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish gut matrices

This paper presents a method for extracting and identifying microplastics from ocean trawl samples using ultrasonication and complementary analytical techniques including optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The multi-technique approach improves identification accuracy for small or ambiguous plastic particles.

First Evidence of Microplastics in the Deep-Sea Barnacle in the Indonesian Throughflow Region

Editorial: Sea cucumbers: the sustainability of emergent and historical resources

This editorial introduces research on sea cucumber ecology, fisheries, and aquaculture sustainability. Sea cucumbers play important roles in coastal ecosystems and are widely harvested for food, but many fisheries have been poorly managed, leading to population declines.

No microplastics detected in the first assessment of Atlantic walrus stomachs from Nunavut, Canada

Examination of stomach contents from 36 Atlantic walruses harvested across five Inuit communities in Nunavut, Canada, found no microplastics at or above an 80 µm detection threshold — a surprising result given that walruses feed on benthic invertebrates in sediment known to accumulate microplastics elsewhere. The study represents the first global assessment of microplastic ingestion in walruses and suggests that at least some Arctic megafauna may not be significantly retaining microplastics, possibly due to digestive anatomy or regional pollution levels. The findings provide a useful baseline for tracking future changes as plastic pollution in the Canadian Arctic increases.

Genetic additive components of the exoskeleton mineral profile and their genetic relationship with growth traits in Penaeus vannamei

Scientists found that shrimp can be bred to naturally have higher levels of important minerals like calcium and magnesium in their shells, which could make farmed shrimp more nutritious. This breeding approach could help the shrimp farming industry reduce its dependence on expensive fish-based feeds while still producing healthy seafood. For consumers, this could mean access to more sustainable and nutrient-rich shrimp in the future.

Plastic Contamination and Water Quality Assessment of Urban Wastewaters

Effects of Nanoplastics on the Living Environment

Relathionships between Nanoplastic Contamination and Biochemical Properties of Biofilms in the Saint-Lawrence River

Report of the Pollution 2025 - Cumulative Effects - Multiple Stressors IWC Intersessional Workshop

This report summarizes proceedings and findings from the IWC Intersessional Workshop on Pollution 2025, focusing on cumulative effects and multiple stressors on cetacean populations, including plastic pollution, chemical contaminants, and their interactions with other environmental pressures.

Oxygen consumption rates and respiratory carbon losses in three species of copepods(Acartia clausi, Calanus helgolandicus and Limnocalanus macrurus) during starvation

This study measured oxygen consumption rates and respiratory carbon losses during starvation in three copepod species: Acartia clausi, Calanus helgolandicus, and Limnocalanus macrurus. The results provide physiological data relevant to understanding energy balance and survival strategies in zooplankton under food-limited conditions.