Microplastics In Environment Research Articles

Microplastic Passage through the Fish and Crayfish Digestive Tract Alters Particle Surface Properties.

Most studies on the effects of organisms on microplastic characteristics have focused on microorganisms, while the impact of animal feeding behavior, particularly in aquatic species like fish and decapod crustaceans, has been less explored. This study examines how polyethylene spherical microplastics (275 μm in diameter) passing through the digestive tracts of crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and Australian crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) affect surface properties, particle size, and bacterial colonization. The species were fed diets with or without microplastics. The particles underwent two rounds of passage through the digestive tracts and were then exposed to known bacterial densities. Surface damage, size, and biofilm coverage were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, while alterations in surface chemical composition were assessed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance, and the formation and penetration of nanoplastics in gut tissues and glands were determined using Py-GC/MS. Results show that the passage significantly altered surface properties and reduced microplastic size, without affecting chemical composition or nanoplastic penetration into tissues. These changes promoted bacterial colonization compared to controls. The findings suggest that animal feeding activity may play an important role in the mechanical fragmentation of microplastics in aquatic environments, potentially leading to their faster degradation.

Microplastics in Bays along the Central Texas Coast.

Estuarine and bay environments, which can act as sediment traps along the inner parts of continental shelves, may host significant depositional hotspots for plastic debris. This research targets Texas coastal bays (Matagorda and San Antonio), to better understand microplastic contamination in sediments and provide insight into the processes controlling its distribution. Microplastic extraction and quantification methods employed include sediment sieving, elutriation, microscopy, and spectroscopy. This study found low concentrations (ca. 10s-100s particles kilogram-1 sediment or 20-200 × 104 items meter-3 wet sediment) and negligible correlations between analyzed deposit constituents (R2 for grain size = -0.14 to 0.12, organic content = 0.08, water depth = -0.11, distance to shore = -0.14). The highly dynamic role of wind-driven mixing and openness to the Gulf of Mexico leads to the high flushing rate of sediment and microplastics out of the bays. Larger microplastic particles (fragments: 178 ± 93 μm, fibers: 0.5 to 2.0 mm) were consistently deposited with finer sediments, indicating high transportability. Microplastic resuspension into bay waters has significant implications for limiting microplastic accumulation within bay sediments. This work provides a baseline for future studies quantifying the roles of wind and residence time on microplastics in coastal environments.

Environmental Microplastics as Vectors of Non-Polar Organic Pollutants in Drinking Water

Microplastics (MPs) in drinking water (DW) raise concerns about their potential impacts on health. Several substances, such as plasticizers and stabilizers, can be leached from plastic polymers following abiotic and biotic denaturation processes. Furthermore, the purification treatment of DW, such as the chlorination process, significantly increases the release of chemical components that are part of the polymer composition. Recently, several studies reported that MPs can adsorb environmental xenobiotics, such as organic molecules and heavy metals, thanks to their surface characteristics acquired in the environment in which they are dispersed. This study aims to evaluate the ability of MPs of different sizes (5 µm and 1 µm) oxidized by UVB exposure to adsorb water-dispersed organic pollutants such as benzo-a-pyrene (BaP). We used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Ζ-potential measurements to characterize MPs particles after UVB exposure and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the adsorptive capacity of oxidized MPs. The analytical results obtained from the present study demonstrate that oxidized MPs have a significant capacity to adsorb BaP dispersed in the aqueous environment and to act as a vehicle for apolar organic substances by concentrating them. This study raises an alert on the dual potential risk determined by the consumption of DW in which MPs can concentrate and convey environmental xenobiotics, in addition to deciding adverse effects related to their chemical-physical properties.

Synergistic human health risks of microplastics and co-contaminants: A quantitative risk assessment in water.

Synergistic human health risks of microplastics and co-contaminants: A quantitative risk assessment in water.

Effect of sunlight aging on physicochemical properties and sorption capacities of environmental microplastics: implications for contamination by PAHs.

This study investigates the effects of ultraviolet (UV) aging on the physicochemical properties and adsorption capacity of three plastics commonly detected in the environment: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). One set of plastic samples was exposed to Xe-based simulated sunlight for up to 5days and another set to outdoor conditions for up to 69days. The physicochemical properties and ability of the pristine and aged plastic particles to adsorb pyrene, a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), are evaluated. For the outdoor-exposed PP and PS samples, distinct Fourier transform infrared peaks related to carbonyl groups are detected. The adsorption coefficients of pyrene after 72h of agitation in PE and PP samples aged via 69days of outdoor exposure are 2.9 and 3.5 times higher compared with that in the respective pristine samples. This increase in adsorption capacity is probably attributed to these plastics undergoing changes in surface properties, including embrittlement. The findings indicate that the accumulation of PAHs on microplastics is accelerated on aged material surfaces, emphasizing the need for further studies under conditions that simulate natural sunlight exposure.

Towards A universal settling model for microplastics with diverse shapes: Machine learning breaking morphological barriers.

Towards A universal settling model for microplastics with diverse shapes: Machine learning breaking morphological barriers.

Acute toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers towards Daphnia magna: Influence of fiber type and morphology.

Acute toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers towards Daphnia magna: Influence of fiber type and morphology.

Microplastic migration and transformation pathways and exposure health risks.

Microplastic migration and transformation pathways and exposure health risks.

Adsorption of emerging micropollutants on tire wear particles.

Adsorption of emerging micropollutants on tire wear particles.

Current status and emerging techniques for sampling, separating, and identifying microplastics in freshwater environments

Current status and emerging techniques for sampling, separating, and identifying microplastics in freshwater environments

Separation and degradation techniques for microplastics in soil environments

Separation and degradation techniques for microplastics in soil environments

Microplastics in German paper mills' wastewater and process water treatment plants: Investigation of sources, removal rates, and emissions.

Microplastics in German paper mills' wastewater and process water treatment plants: Investigation of sources, removal rates, and emissions.

The Hidden Threat of Microplastics in Desert Environments: Environmental Impact, Challenges, and Response Measures

Microplastic (MP) pollution has garnered widespread attention because of its negative effects, even in the most remote areas of Earth. However, research on MP deposition in deserts, which account for 45% of Earth’s total land area, remains limited. Desert environments, characterized by large temperature fluctuations, high ultraviolet radiation, and strong winds, accelerate the degradation, aging, wind erosion, deposition, and migration of microplastics (MPs). In desert regions, MPs originate primarily from human activities, such as tourism waste, agricultural mulch residues, and artificial water storage systems. Additionally, wind transport, water entrainment, atmospheric deposition, and the migration of wildlife further influence the abundance of MPs in these areas. As MP pollution in desert soils intensifies, it negatively affects local microbial activity, crop yields, the reproduction of rare wildlife, and climate. In response, mitigation strategies, such as biodegradation, organic alternatives, and wasteland transformation, have been proposed. However, challenges remain, including a lack of specific research data and limited economic incentives for environmental protection measures. Drawing on existing research, this paper provides a comprehensive summary of the main sources of MPs in desert areas; the influence of environmental factors on their fate; their detrimental effects on ecosystems (including microorganisms, animals, plants, and climate); and current response measures. Valuable insights are extracted from the available data, highlighting the status and challenges of MP pollution in desert regions, and offering a useful reference for future research in this area.

Determination of microplastics in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents and sludge using micro-Raman spectroscopy

Microplastics (MPs) increase global awareness due to their ubiquity, high concentration levels, and devastating effects on the aquatic environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized as a significant source of microplastics in aquatic and terrestrial environments, particularly for plastics used in personal care products and textile fibers from the clothing industry. The focus of the present study was the determination of MP in wastewater and sewage sludge samples of WWTP of Ioannina city, according to their shape, size, concentration, and polymer type. A wet peroxide oxidation (WPO) method using 30% H2O2 and 0.05 M ferrous (II) solution was applied to the water effluent, while an enzymatic digestion method combined with WPO was employed to eliminate the organic matter and extract MPs from sludge samples. Micro-Raman spectroscopy coupled with appropriate software was applied to detect and quantify the microplastic particles. The outcomes from this study showed that the most representative shape of MP in effluent wastewater and sludge was fragments (66.7% and 75%, respectively), followed by fibers, spheres, and films. Polyamide (PA), p -acrylic acid (PAA), and p -acrylamide-co-p -acrylic acid (PAM-co-PAA) were the most abundant polymers (100% frequency of detection), followed by p -vinyl chloride (PVC), p -butyl methacrylate (PBMA), p -ethylene (PE), p -styrene (PS), p -propylene (PP), p -vinyl alcohol (PVA), and p -vinyl butyral (PVB) (20%-80% frequency of detection). The mean concentration of MPs in five sampling campaigns was 5.8 ± 0.6 particles/L in secondary WWTP effluents and 33.3 ± 8 particles/g in sludge. This study focused on monitoring campaign, in order to better understand the occurrence, impact, and risks associated with MPs on WWTPs.

Unveiling the deep-sea microplastic Odyssey: Characteristics, distribution, and ecological implications in Pacific Ocean sediments.

Unveiling the deep-sea microplastic Odyssey: Characteristics, distribution, and ecological implications in Pacific Ocean sediments.

The impact of microplastic pollution on human health - current issues

In recent years, the pervasive presence of microplastics in various environments has raised global concern. These tiny plastic fragments, less than 5mm in size, have infiltrated terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric ecosystems, posing threats to biodiversity, human health, and ecological balance. Understanding microplastic pollution has become crucial for scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of microplastics, covering their sources, distribution, fate, and ecological implications. By synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying research gaps, this paper aims to deepen our understanding of microplastic's global impact and support sustainable environmental management. The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence, distribution, environmental implications, and potential mitigation approaches related to microplastics across diverse ecosystems, with a specific emphasis on their impact on human health and well-being. To obtain up-to-date information concerning trends in the topic of microplastics, a review of the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, along with the latest legislative reports in both Europe and Poland, was performed. Microplastics pose a significant environmental and health threat, disrupting soil properties, biochemical cycles, and ecosystems globally. Despite extensive research, gaps remain in understanding their behavior. Effective management requires comprehensive waste strategies and regulatory measures to mitigate their impact. Addressing this challenge demands interdisciplinary collaboration and heightened public awareness for a sustainable future.

Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains.

Rising global concentrations of environmental microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) drive concerns for human exposure and health outcomes. Complementary methods for the robust detection of tissue MNPs, including pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, confirm the presence of MNPs in human kidney, liver and brain. MNPs in these organs primarily consist of polyethylene, with lesser but significant concentrations of other polymers. Brain tissues harbor higher proportions of polyethylene compared to the composition of the plastics in liver or kidney, and electron microscopy verified the nature of the isolated brain MNPs, which present largely as nanoscale shard-like fragments. Plastic concentrations in these decedent tissues were not influenced by age, sex, race/ethnicity or cause of death; the time of death (2016 versus 2024) was a significant factor, with increasing MNP concentrations over time in both liver and brain samples (P = 0.01). Finally, even greater accumulation of MNPs was observed in a cohort of decedent brains with documented dementia diagnosis, with notable deposition in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells. These results highlight a critical need to better understand the routes of exposure, uptake and clearance pathways and potential health consequences of plastics in human tissues, particularly in the brain.

Physicochemical behavior and ecological risk of biofilm-mediated microplastics in aquatic environments.

Physicochemical behavior and ecological risk of biofilm-mediated microplastics in aquatic environments.

What influences the distribution of microplastics in the marine environment? An interdisciplinary study reveals key factors driving microplastic in the North Sea.

What influences the distribution of microplastics in the marine environment? An interdisciplinary study reveals key factors driving microplastic in the North Sea.

Microplastics in coastal and marine environments: A critical issue of plastic pollution on marine organisms, seafood contaminations, and human health implications

Microplastics in coastal and marine environments: A critical issue of plastic pollution on marine organisms, seafood contaminations, and human health implications