Papers

A simplified method for determining potential heavy metal leached from sediments ofstormwater and combined sewer systems – importance for public health

Researchers developed a simplified method based on the PN-EN 12457-2 standard for determining the potential leaching of heavy metals from stormwater and combined sewer sediments, providing important data on public health risks from heavy metal contamination of urban drainage systems. The simplified approach enables more routine monitoring of heavy metal mobility in wastewater infrastructure.

Microplastic Consumption and Its Effect on Respiration Rate and Motility of Calanus helgolandicus From the Marmara Sea

Researchers found that the copepod Calanus helgolandicus from the Marmara Sea actively consumed polystyrene microplastic beads of 6, 12, and 26 µm, with the strongest preference for 6 µm beads, and that microplastic ingestion increased respiration rate and reduced motility, indicating energetic costs from plastic consumption.

EXPLORING THE MICROPLASTICS DISTRIBUTION IN THE BOTTOM SEDIMENTS OF THE WESTERN BLACK SEA

Researchers surveyed the bottom sediments of the western Black Sea and found microplastic particles at every sampling site, with fibers the most common shape and polyethylene/polypropylene the most common polymer types. The widespread presence across the shelf zone, without a clear pattern tied to distance from shore, suggests diffuse anthropogenic inputs rather than a single point source — a finding that complicates clean-up and monitoring efforts for this semi-enclosed sea.

Improvement of the Mechanical Characteristics, Hydrogen Crack Resistance and Durability of Turbine Rotor Steels Welded Joints

Researchers developed improved welding techniques for turbine rotor steels, using thermal simulation modeling to optimize welding parameters and achieve welded joints with enhanced mechanical characteristics, improved hydrogen crack resistance, and greater durability.

Disposable facemask waste combustion emits neuroactive smoke particulate matter

Researchers burned disposable polypropylene face masks and found that the resulting smoke particles — when tested on rat brain tissue — disrupted normal neurotransmitter activity, altered nerve cell membrane function, and impaired energy production in neurons. The findings suggest that burning mask waste releases neuroactive ultrafine particles that could contribute to air and water pollution and neurological harm.

Morphological and Trophic Features of the Invasive Babka gymnotrachelus (Gobiidae) in the Plain and Mountainous Ecosystems of the Dniester Basin: Spatiotemporal Expansion and Possible Threats to Native Fishes

Researchers examined the morphological and trophic features of the invasive racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus in both plain and mountainous rivers of the Dniester basin, documenting its recent expansion to elevations above 300 m. They found adaptive morphological changes in mountainous subpopulations - including smaller body size and increased streamlining - with Chironomidae and Trichoptera as primary prey, while native fish species so far show high resilience against the invasive species.

Equal Channel Angular Extrusion of Polymers: Structural Changes and Their Effects on Properties

This review examines structural transformations occurring in polymeric materials under ultra-high plastic deformation via equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) and equal channel multi-angular extrusion (ECMAE), covering semi-crystalline and amorphous polymers, polymer blends, composites, and powders and their resulting property changes.

A Complex Method for Purification of Radioactively Contaminated Waters the Object «Ukryttya» of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Strain-Gauge Differential Method of Statistical Processing of Welded Joint Cyclic Durability Test Results

A methodical approach to determining the damage characteristics of cyclically loaded samples of metal structures

This engineering study developed methods for assessing fatigue damage in structural materials using optical and computational tools to analyze surface deformation patterns. The methodology is aimed at predicting the service life of industrial components subjected to cyclic loading. While not directly related to microplastics, engineering approaches to material degradation analysis are relevant to understanding how plastic components fracture and fragment into microplastic particles under mechanical stress.

ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE BASED ON THE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE

This Ukrainian-language paper examines how sewage sludge can support sustainable agricultural development amid rising food prices driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. It reviews the economic and technical considerations for sludge use as a fertilizer.

Polycyanurate–Organically Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Structure–Dynamics–Properties Relationships

Researchers synthesized polycyanurate-montmorillonite clay nanocomposites and found that even small clay additions catalyze polymerization and create complex intercalated structures that modify material dynamics. The nanocomposites showed increased stiffness, improved thermal stability, and enhanced microplasticity at low temperatures that promotes improved crack resistance.

Deformation defects of the structural material as a factor of life aging

This materials science paper characterizes deformation defects on steel surface specimens under alternating loading, using digital image analysis to track microplastic deformation accumulation. The authors proposed a methodology for assessing material state based on statistical characteristics of surface deformation dynamics.

Determining Parameters of Fractional–Exponential Heredity Kernels of Nonlinear Viscoelastic Materials

Cottrell Crack Nucleation Condition

Structural homogeneity of nanocrystalline VT1-0 titanium. Low-temperature micromechanical properties

This study measured the hardness of ultra-fine-grained titanium across a range of low temperatures, finding that nanocrystalline samples are structurally stable and follow the Hall-Petch relationship between grain size and strength. The results help clarify how grain refinement affects titanium's mechanical performance.

Mechanism of Hydrogen Embrittlement of Austenitic Steels

This paper reviews three main hypotheses explaining why hydrogen causes embrittlement in austenitic steels, drawing on electron spin resonance, ab initio calculations, and dislocation theory to evaluate each mechanism. The analysis finds that hydrogen enhances the metallic character of atomic bonds and may trigger brittle phase transformations rather than simply weakening the lattice.

Determining the Parameters of Fractional Exponential Hereditary Kernels for Nonlinear Viscoelastic Materials

Statistical Characteristics of Microplastic Strains of the Surface Layer of Austenitic Steel Under Monotonic and High-Cycle Loadings

Effect of the state of the surface layers on the strength of materials for optoelectronic and sensors devices

This study investigated how defective surface layers on brittle non-metallic materials used in optoelectronics and sensors affect their mechanical strength, finding that near-surface structural defects weaken the material under applied load and thermal fluctuations. The results help explain strength variability in optical and sensor components and inform surface preparation methods.

Micromechanical properties of C70 single crystals in the temperature range 77–350 K

Researchers grew hexagonal single crystals of the carbon molecule C70 and studied their mechanical properties at low temperatures for the first time. Microhardness measurements revealed anisotropic microplastic behavior and temperature-dependent deformation characteristics in this fullerene material.

Pulse Current Effect on Stress Levels in a Metal Strip in Tension

Model of the Plastic Zone at the Point of Intersection of Microplastic Deformation Lines

Damping properties of porous titanium and pseudoalloys based on it