We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic biomonitoring studies in aquatic species: A review & quality assessment framework
ClearA Critical Assessment of Microplastics in Molluscan Shellfish with Recommendations for Experimental Protocols, Animal Husbandry, Publication, and Future Research
This review critically examined over 750 studies on microplastics in shellfish and found that most research contained serious flaws in methodology, with an average quality score below passing. While microplastics are consistently found in shellfish worldwide, the actual levels detected are extremely low, and many alarming claims in the media are based on poorly designed studies. The authors call for much stricter research standards before drawing conclusions about risks to human health from eating shellfish.
Microplastic contamination in fish: Critical review and assessment of data quality
This critical review assessed the data quality of 104 published studies on microplastic ingestion by fish, finding that inconsistent methods for sampling, extraction, and identification have produced questionable results and highlighting the need for standardized quality assurance protocols.
Quality Criteria for Microplastic Effect Studies in the Context of Risk Assessment: A Critical Review
Researchers developed 20 quality criteria to evaluate 105 published studies on the biological effects of microplastics and found that, on average, studies met less than half the quality benchmarks. No single study scored positively on all criteria, confirming an urgent need for better experimental standards in the field. The review highlights that the most critical improvements needed involve verifying background contamination and using environmentally realistic exposure conditions.
Quality Criteria for the Analysis of Microplastic in Biota Samples: A Critical Review
Ten quality criteria were applied to review recent microplastic ingestion studies in aquatic biota, finding wide variation in methodological rigor including inadequate sample sizes, poor contamination controls, and inconsistent polymer identification methods. The authors propose a standardized quality assessment framework to improve comparability of microplastic ingestion data across studies.
A critical view on microplastic quantification in aquatic organisms
Researchers critically reviewed the methods used to quantify microplastics in aquatic organisms including zooplankton, bivalves, and fish. The study highlights that no standardized methodology exists for measuring microplastic contamination in biota, which makes comparing results across studies difficult and underscores the need for consistent analytical protocols.
Relevance and reliability of evidence for microplastic contamination in seafood: A critical review using Australian consumption patterns as a case study
Researchers critically reviewed evidence on microplastic contamination in seafood, using Australian consumption patterns as a case study to assess human exposure risk. They found that while microplastics have been documented in many commercial marine species, most contamination is found in tissues that are not typically consumed by humans. The study concludes that current evidence does not support significant dietary microplastic exposure from seafood but calls for better standardized research methods.
Microplastics in freshwaters and drinking water: Critical review and assessment of data quality
Researchers critically reviewed fifty studies on microplastics in freshwater and drinking water and found significant quality issues, including inconsistent sampling methods and inadequate contamination controls. Many studies lacked proper quality assurance, making it difficult to draw reliable conclusions about actual contamination levels. The study emphasizes that standardized methods are urgently needed before the true extent of microplastic contamination in drinking water can be assessed.
Microplastic occurrence and effects in commercially harvested North American finfish and shellfish: Current knowledge and future directions
This review assessed the occurrence and effects of microplastics in commercially harvested fish and shellfish in North America, finding a paucity of data and inconsistent methodologies that limit risk assessment for fisheries and seafood consumers. The authors call for standardized monitoring protocols and more research on population-level effects in commercially important species.
Advancing the quality of environmental microplastic research
This review examines the rapidly growing field of environmental microplastic research, discussing the methodological inconsistencies that limit comparability across studies and calling for improved quality standards to support robust regulatory and scientific conclusions.
A Systematic Review of Microplastic Contamination in Commercially Important Bony Fish and Its Implications for Health
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination levels in commercially important fish species and the potential health impacts. The findings reveal that microplastics are commonly found in fish consumed by humans, raising concerns about chronic exposure through seafood and the possibility that these particles carry harmful chemicals into our bodies.
Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This meta-analysis is the first to systematically quantify microplastic contamination in seafood sold for human consumption. The findings confirm that people are regularly ingesting microplastics through seafood, underscoring the need for action to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and better understand the health effects of this exposure.
Risk assessment of microplastics in freshwater sediments guided by strict quality criteria and data alignment methods
Researchers conducted a risk assessment of microplastics in freshwater sediments worldwide using strict quality criteria and standardized data alignment methods. The study found that while risks from microplastics to bottom-dwelling organisms cannot be excluded at current environmental concentrations, exposure levels were generally near or below the threshold hazardous concentrations calculated for 5% of species.
Detection of low numbers of microplastics in North Sea fish using strict quality assurance criteria
Using strict contamination controls, researchers examined 400 North Sea fish across four species and found microplastics in only 0.25% of individuals — far lower than many previous studies. The stark difference highlights how contamination during sample handling can inflate microplastic ingestion rates and underscores the need for rigorous quality assurance in monitoring studies.
Unveiling microplastic contamination in seafood: Source, fate, analytical methods, health impacts, mitigation strategies and scientometric trends
This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic contamination in seafood, covering sources, detection methods, health implications, and global research trends from 2011 to 2025. Researchers found significant gaps in toxicological studies and inconsistencies in detection methods across different regions. The study calls for standardized analytical approaches and more interdisciplinary research to better understand and mitigate the risks of consuming microplastic-contaminated seafood.
Microplastics in aquatic food chain : sources, measurement, occurrence and potential health risks
This review examines the sources, measurement methods, occurrence, and potential health risks of microplastics throughout aquatic food chains, finding that while microplastics are ubiquitous in fish, shellfish, and other aquatic food sources, the data needed for a comprehensive human dietary exposure and risk assessment are not yet available. Researchers identify standardization of detection methods as a critical prerequisite for meaningful risk evaluation.
Research progress on the pollution status and their detection methods of microplastics in aquatic products
This review covered the prevalence of microplastic contamination in aquatic products (fish, shellfish, crustaceans) and the analytical methods used for their detection and quantification. The authors emphasized that aquatic food consumption is a direct route of microplastic exposure for humans and called for standardized detection protocols.
Assessment of quality control measures in the monitoring of microplastic: a critical review
Researchers conducted a critical review of quality control measures used in microplastic monitoring studies, evaluating eight key quality control parameters across 30 published studies. The review found that strict quality control protocols are essential for accurate microplastic detection, as small-sized particles and microfibers can easily be introduced as contaminants from ambient air, sampling equipment, and laboratory environments during the monitoring process.
Quality of nanoplastics and microplastics ecotoxicity studies: Refining quality criteria for nanomaterial studies
Researchers developed refined quality criteria for evaluating the scientific rigor of nanoplastic and microplastic ecotoxicity studies. They identified gaps in existing nanomaterial assessment frameworks and proposed additional criteria specific to plastic particles, including polymer composition, source, impurities, and chemical leaching. The study provides a standardized quality checklist to help the research community produce more reliable and comparable data on microplastic toxicity.
Microplastics ingestion by marine fauna with a particular focus on commercial species: a systematic review
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines microplastic ingestion across marine species, with a focus on commercially important seafood. The researchers found that microplastic contamination is widespread in fish, shellfish, and other marine animals that end up on our dinner plates. This matters for human health because we may be consuming these particles every time we eat seafood.
The impact of nano/micro-plastics toxicity on seafood quality and human health: facts and gaps
This review examines the impact of nano- and microplastic contamination on seafood quality and human health. Researchers note that while microplastic absorption in fish is generally considered low, bioavailability depends on the physical and chemical properties of the particles, and prolonged exposure to high levels may be hazardous. The study highlights significant knowledge gaps around long-term exposure effects and calls for policy action on microplastic limits in food.
Trends in quality and risk assessment applicability of microplastic ecotoxicity studies
Analyzing 286 microplastic ecotoxicity studies from the ToMEx 2.0 database, researchers found that while most studies met basic technical criteria, fewer than half provided data suitable for ecological risk assessment, with quality scores varying significantly by taxonomic group.
Microplastics in seafood: Benchmark protocol for their extraction and characterization
Researchers developed a benchmark protocol for extracting and characterizing microplastics from seafood samples, providing standardized methods to improve consistency and comparability across studies measuring human dietary exposure.
Quality Assessment of Methodological Aspects in Microplastics Studies on Processed Food
Researchers assessed the quality of methodological approaches used in 65 studies examining microplastics in processed food, published between 2015 and 2025. They found that many studies lacked adequate quality assurance procedures, with 49 out of 65 scoring zero for positive controls and laboratory preparation receiving the lowest scores overall. The study highlights the need for stricter standardized protocols to ensure reliable and comparable microplastic data in food safety research.
Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health
This review examines the evidence for microplastic contamination in seafood and discusses what it means for food security and human health. Researchers found that microplastics have been detected in commercially important fish and shellfish species worldwide, but the actual health risks to humans from consuming contaminated seafood remain poorly understood. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps and calls for standardized methods to better assess the dietary exposure and potential toxicity of microplastics.