Papers

Micro/nanoplastics pollution poses a potential threat to soil health

This large meta-analysis of over 5,000 observations found that micro- and nanoplastics in soil harm crop growth, soil organisms, and microbial communities while increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The findings suggest that plastic pollution poses a broad threat to soil health, which could ultimately affect food production and human well-being.

Biochar-mediated remediation of uranium-contaminated soils: evidence, mechanisms, and perspectives

This meta-analysis found that adding biochar to uranium-contaminated soils significantly reduced uranium bioavailability by about 59% and shoot uranium accumulation by about 40%. Biochar works through adsorption, complexation, and by enhancing soil microbial communities, demonstrating its potential as a practical remediation tool for heavy metal contamination in agricultural lands.

Unveiling the impacts of microplastics on cadmium transfer in the soil-plant-human system: A review

A meta-analysis found that microplastics significantly increase soil cadmium bioavailability by 6.9% and cadmium accumulation in plant shoots by 9.3%, through both direct surface adsorption and indirect modification of soil pH and dissolved organic carbon. This enhanced cadmium mobility through the soil-plant-human food chain amplifies health risks, as co-ingestion of microplastics and cadmium increases cadmium bioaccessibility and tissue damage.

Multiomics Provides Insights into the Impacts of Microplastics on Heavy Metal(Loid) Accumulation in Lettuce under Simulated Acid Precipitation

Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics in soil increased cadmium uptake in lettuce shoots by 51% under acid rain conditions, while decreasing arsenic accumulation by 48%. The microplastics altered soil bacteria and disrupted key metabolic pathways, suggesting that the combination of microplastic pollution and acid rain may change how toxic metals move from soil into our food crops.

Interaction of microplastics with heavy metals in soil: Mechanisms, influencing factors and biological effects

This review summarizes how microplastics and heavy metals interact in soil, where microplastics can absorb and carry toxic metals through the food chain and into the human body. Aging and weathering of microplastics changes their surface properties, making them better at picking up heavy metals, which raises concerns about combined exposure through contaminated crops and water.

Microplastic pollution promotes soil respiration: A global‐scale meta‐analysis

This global meta-analysis pooled data from multiple studies and found that microplastic pollution in soil increased CO2 emissions by 25%. Microplastics boost certain soil microbes while reducing overall microbial diversity, changing how carbon cycles through the environment. While focused on soil health, this research shows how widespread microplastic pollution is reshaping ecosystems in ways that could ultimately affect climate and agriculture.

Degradation of microplastic in water by advanced oxidation processes

This review covers advanced methods for breaking down microplastics in water using powerful chemical reactions and light-activated catalysts that can degrade plastic particles into less harmful substances. Developing effective ways to destroy microplastics in water is critical for human health because conventional water treatment plants do not fully remove these particles from drinking water sources.

Reconfigurable Magnetic Liquid Metal Microrobots: A Regenerable Solution for the Capture and Removal of Micro/Nanoplastics

Scientists developed magnetically controlled liquid metal microrobots that can capture and remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. The tiny robots can change shape, be steered with magnets, and be regenerated for reuse, offering a potential new technology for cleaning plastic pollution from water sources before it reaches people.

Divergent responses of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge to two typical microplastics polystyrene and polybutylene succinate during the treatment of sulfamethoxazole-containing wastewater

This study tested how two types of microplastics, polystyrene and biodegradable polybutylene succinate, affected a biological wastewater treatment system designed to remove antibiotics. The biodegradable plastic actually helped break down the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole more effectively, while polystyrene slightly reduced the system's cleaning performance. The findings suggest that the type of microplastic present in wastewater can change how well treatment plants remove pharmaceutical pollutants.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of polystyrene microplastics in water over core–shell BiO2−x/CuBi2O4 heterojunction with full spectrum light response

Researchers developed a new light-activated material that can break down polystyrene microplastics in water, causing significant surface damage to the plastic within 15 days. The material works across the full light spectrum, making it more practical than treatments requiring specific light conditions. While still in the laboratory stage, this photocatalytic approach could eventually provide a way to remove microplastics from water before they reach people.

Bioelectret poly(lactic acid) membranes with simultaneously enhanced physical interception and electrostatic adsorption of airborne PM0.3

Researchers developed a biodegradable air filter membrane made from poly(lactic acid) that can capture ultra-fine airborne particles as small as 0.3 micrometers with high efficiency. Unlike traditional plastic-based filters that shed microplastics into the air, this plant-derived material breaks down naturally. This technology could help reduce both airborne particulate exposure and the microplastic pollution created by conventional air filtration products.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of microplastics by constructing a novel Z-scheme Fe-doped BiO2−x/BiOI heterojunction with full-spectrum response: Mechanistic insights and theory calculations

Researchers developed a new photocatalyst that can break down PET microplastics in water using the full spectrum of light, including visible light. The iron-doped material created deep cracks in PET plastic within just 10 hours of light exposure. This technology could eventually help remove microplastics from water treatment systems, reducing the amount that reaches drinking water.

The Hidden Crisis of Biodegradable Plastics: Polylactic Acid Microplastics Increase Soil Cd and Pb Bioavailability and Associated Human Health Risks

Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often marketed as eco-friendly alternatives, significantly increased the availability of toxic heavy metals like cadmium and lead in agricultural soil. The PLA particles altered soil chemistry and microbial communities, leading to greater heavy metal uptake by lettuce and substantially increased health risks for humans consuming the crops.

Targeting Modifiable Risks: Molecular Mechanisms and Population Burden of Lifestyle Factors on Male Genitourinary Health

This systematic review examines how lifestyle factors, including microplastic exposure, affect male reproductive health. Research shows that microplastics, along with other environmental contaminants, may contribute to declining sperm quality and male infertility, which now affects up to 50% of infertility cases worldwide.

Highly efficient depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate for upcycling in colorful pigments and coatings

Differential Impacts of Conventional and Biodegradable Microplastics on Cadmium Transfer in a Soil-Earthworm-Lettuce System

Researchers compared how conventional and biodegradable microplastics affect cadmium transfer through a soil-earthworm-lettuce system. They found that high doses of conventional microplastics increased cadmium concentrations in lettuce shoots by 54 percent and in earthworms by 80 percent, while biodegradable microplastics actually decreased shoot cadmium by 30 percent. The study suggests that different types of microplastics have opposing effects on heavy metal contamination in the food chain.

Reconfigurable Self‐Assembling Photocatalytic Magnetic Liquid Metal Microrobot Swarm for Microplastic Capture and Degradation

Researchers developed reconfigurable liquid metal microrobots made from bio-friendly gallium-based materials that can self-assemble into swarms to capture microplastics through electrostatic interactions. The microrobots can be regenerated using ultrasonic treatment for repeated use without losing efficiency. The study presents a potentially sustainable and adaptable solution for microplastic removal from aquatic environments.

Selected legacy and emerging organic contaminants in sediments of China's Yangtze – the world's third longest river: Response to anthropogenic activities

Researchers conducted the first extensive survey of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in sediments along the entire Yangtze River. They found that pharmaceuticals and personal care products were the dominant contaminants, followed by polychlorinated biphenyls, neonicotinoid pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The study links contamination levels to anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and industrial discharge along different stretches of the river.

Effects of different particle size microplastics and di-n-butyl phthalate on photosynthesis and quality of spinach

Researchers investigated how microplastics of different sizes combined with the plasticizer di-n-butyl phthalate affect spinach growth and photosynthesis in hydroponic experiments. They found that the combined pollution significantly reduced key photosynthetic parameters, with effects varying by microplastic particle size and concentration. The study highlights the potential for microplastic-associated chemical contaminants to impair crop productivity in agricultural settings.

International Trade of Pharmaceutical and Health Industries Along the “Belt and Road” Countries

This study analyzes bilateral trade patterns in pharmaceutical and health industry products between China and countries along the Belt and Road initiative. Researchers examined industrial structures and trade volumes, identifying factors that influence cross-border trade in medical products. While not directly focused on microplastics, the study provides context for understanding how global trade patterns affect the distribution of health-related products and associated packaging waste.

A comparative review of microplastics in lake systems from different countries and regions

Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination data from lake systems across multiple countries, finding that abundance, size, and polymer type varied widely by region and identifying land use, population density, and hydrological connectivity as key drivers of lake microplastic levels.

‘Acid Rain’ Amplifies the Impacts of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on Heavy Metal Toxicity and Transfer in Soil-Lettuce Systems

This study used multi-omics to investigate the combined effects of PVC microplastics and acid rain on heavy metal transfer in soil-crop systems. The combination amplified heavy metal uptake by crops compared to either stressor alone, with molecular analyses revealing disrupted detoxification pathways in plant tissues.

Utilization of Solid Waste as Building Materials (USB): Review of Chinese Policies

This study analyzes 258 Chinese policies on utilizing solid waste as building materials (USB) issued over 50 years using a mixed content analysis with a three-dimensional framework. It finds that policy coordination has improved but identifies barriers including inconsistent instruments and insufficient integration of environmental standards, offering recommendations for policy optimization.

Design and Method Research of Intelligent Detection System for Marine Microplastics Driven by Microfluidic Chip

Researchers designed an intelligent detection system for marine microplastics using a microfluidic chip combined with machine learning image analysis. Simulation testing validated the chip's ability to capture and sort microplastic particles from seawater samples, with AI classification achieving high accuracy across particle types.