Papers

Real-Time Instance Segmentation for Detection of Underwater Litter as a Plastic Source

Researchers developed a real-time instance segmentation system using neural networks to detect underwater plastic litter on the seafloor, targeting the approximately 70% of marine litter that sinks and serves as a major source of ocean microplastics.

Combinatory effects of microplastics and emerging contaminants on alga <i>Chlamydomonas reinhardtii</i>

Researchers exposed the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to two types of microplastics found in face washes — PVC and an acrylate copolymer — along with the preservative 2-phenoxyethanol, finding that combined exposure had distinct effects on algal growth compared to individual pollutants. This is relevant because microplastics rarely occur alone in the environment, and their interactions with other chemicals can either amplify or dampen ecological harm.

Antifouling Bilayer Graphene Slit Membrane for Desalination of Nanoplastic-Infested Seawater: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Researchers used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to design and evaluate a bilayer graphene slit membrane as an antifouling solution for desalinating nanoplastic-contaminated seawater, addressing the high affinity between graphene and nanoplastic molecules that causes fouling in single-layer graphene membranes. The simulations showed that the double-layer configuration significantly reduced nanoplastic fouling while maintaining desalination performance.

Apple Snails as Bioindicators of Microplastic Pollution in Singapore's Freshwaters

An investigation on the effects of nanoplastic particles on nanoporous graphene membrane desalination