Microplastics

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 14;494:138599. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138599. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have been observed in human blood, and atheroma, and they are associated with cardiovascular events. However, their sources remain poorly understood. Intravenous infusion products (IVIPs) might introduce MNPs directly into the human blood, which threatens health, but they remain unknown. Herein, simulated intravenous therapy was performed to detect multiple MNPs with sizes < 4 μm released from commonly used IVIPs through established analytical methods such as modified Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Results showed that polypropylene- and polyvinyl chloride- MNPs were identified from six different IVIPs during intravenous therapy via modified Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, SEM-EDS analysis observed irregular or near-spherical MNPs ranging from 10 nm to 3.6 μm, with a number concentration of (5.82 ± 0.86) × 10⁴ items/L during intravenous therapy. These MNPs could directly enter the human blood with infusion fluids via intravenous therapy, posing serious risks to human health and affecting the safe use of IVIPs. Overall, these findings revealed that intravenous therapy could introduce MNPs, especially nanoplastics, directly into the human blood, highlighting the importance of considering MNPs in evaluating the safety of IVIPs.

PMID:40398024 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138599

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 19;494:138676. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138676. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With the global increase in plastic pollution, microplastic contamination of agricultural products has become an emerging environmental issue that threatens food safety. In this study, linear analysis combined with principal component analysis was used to determine the correlation between microplastics in air and pesticides and the abundance and components of microplastics on the surface of strawberries, which fills the gap of traceability studies of microplastics on the surface of agricultural products. A high correlation coefficient of 0.65 was observed between microplastics on strawberry surfaces and the microplastic abundance in the air; however, the correlation coefficient with the abundance of microplastics in pesticides was only 0.30, which was weak. Polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene were the polymers detected in the largest proportion of all experimental samples. Polypropylene had the highest percentage of detections in air and pesticides at 70.66 % and 74.04 %, respectively. The percentages of polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene on strawberry surfaces were 36.97 %, 29.20 % and 17.36 %, respectively. This study provides scientific support for the formulation of microplastic limit standards for agricultural products and the optimization of agricultural production norms, which is of strategic significance for guaranteeing food safety and promoting the sustainable development of agriculture.

PMID:40398037 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138676

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 19;494:138652. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138652. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sewage sludge is a major source of environmental microplastics. To address this issue, a reliable mass-based methodology was developed for the identification and quantification of five frequently detected microplastics in sewage sludge-polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-using pyrolysis combined with thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-TD-GC/MS). The method achieved detection limits ranging from 0.14 μg to 3.70 μg and was utilized to assess microplastics removal during wastewater and sludge treatment processes, covering sizes from 0.22 μm to 5.00 mm. Total microplastics concentrations decreased from 8714.59 ± 228.48 μg/g dry weight (dw) in primary sedimentation sludge to 3828.41 ± 557.92 μg/g dw in secondary sedimentation sludge, with PE, PET, and PVC as the dominant polymers. Size- and polymer-dependent deposition patterns were noted during wastewater treatment. Further treatments-including centrifugal dewatering, thermal hydrolysis, anaerobic digestion, and compression dewatering-reduced microplastics concentrations from 6033.18 ± 77.94 μg/g dw in raw sludge to 470.82 ± 48.08 μg/g dw in final sludge. Centrifugal dewatering significantly removed microplastics while thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion had minimal effects. This study establishes a robust methodology for quantifying microplastics in sludge and insights into their removal processes, aiding source prevention for microplastics contamination.

PMID:40398026 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138652

Sci Total Environ. 2025 May 20;983:179657. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, laundry-derived microplastic fibers (LMFs) have been reported as one of the major sources of microplastics (MPs) released from wastewater treatment plants into the aquatic environment. Fish are considered to be among the types of aquatic biota most susceptible to ingested MPs; there is thus a need to assess the risk that LMFs pose to fish, although this remains largely unknown. Here, fluorescent LMFs were prepared using a washing machine, after which Oryzias latipes (Japanese medaka) larvae were exposed to them for 21 days to assess their toxicities. Upon exposure of the larvae to LMFs (0.2 and 2 mg/L), the typical yellow fluorescent signal of LMFs was observed mainly in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, anus, and feces. No mortality was observed in larvae treated with either concentration of LMFs. However, decreases in body length and weight were observed upon the 2 mg/L treatment, which induced metabolites related to nucleotide metabolism. In addition, increased relative amounts of specific flora, Flavobacterium sp. and Burkholderiaceae, were observed in larvae exposed to 2 mg/L LMFs. Overall, 85.6 % of LMFs were ejected from LMF-treated medaka larvae after a 4-day depuration period; however, longer LMFs were more likely to remain in the larval gastrointestinal tract than shorter ones. These findings should deepen our understanding of the ecological effects of LMFs on freshwater fish.

PMID:40398170 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179657

Cancer Epidemiol. 2025 May 20;97:102840. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2025.102840. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic exposure can contaminate multiple organs through nasal, dermal, and respiratory routes. The effect of microplastic exposure on colorectal adenocarcinoma development has gained attention. This systematic review aimed to summarize studies of microplastic exposure in humans with colorectal cancer. The relevant studies were collected through a computer-assisted search in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 747 documents were evaluated for eligibility by two independent authors. The quality assessment of eligible studies was evaluated by the JBI checklist, and required data were collected and extracted from the included studies. After analysis, four studies were found eligible. The microplastic infiltration in colorectal tissue biopsies was relatively high; polyamide, polycarbonate, and polypropylene polymers were among the most common polymers in colorectal tissue samples of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. The average particle size was 0.1 µm to 1.6 mm. Microplastics shape in colorectal cancerous tissue, including fibers, fragments, and films. Microplastic abundance in colorectal tumor tissue was 25.9-32.2 particles/g tissue. In the case-control study, the microplastic accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue samples was significantly higher than in controls. The etiology of colorectal cancer remains unclear; however, environmental factors are actively contributing to colorectal cancer development. While there are few studies on microplastics in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, existing evidence indicates microplastic accumulation in the colorectal tissue of these patients. Further research is needed to determine if microplastic exposure initiates or leads to the development of colorectal cancer events.

PMID:40398077 | DOI:10.1016/j.canep.2025.102840

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 19:126478. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126478. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics represent a major threat to marine and terrestrial ecosystems if they are not recycled or disposed properly. Plastics undergo processes of physical erosion and chemical degradation, generating one of the most worrying emerging pollutants: microplastics (MPs), which may be incorporated into the food chain through ingestion by the different organisms that live in that habitat. This study investigates the possible accumulation of MPs in the gut content and integument of deposit feeder sea cucumbers, Holothuria poli Delle Chiaje, 1824 from the Mar Menor lagoon, as well as in the sediments of the areas they inhabit, using laser direct infrared microscopy (LDIR) technique. LDIR is a novel methodology based on illuminating samples with a mid-infrared quantum cascade laser, which was applied to analyse the chemical composition of MPs, as well as their size and shape. This technique offers high sensitivity and selectivity in the measurement of MPs. The most effective sample procedures involved the addition of 3 mL of HNO₃ for 48 h at 65 ºC for integument samples (1 g) and 4 mL of H₂O₂ for 2 h at 65 ºC for sediment and gut content samples (1 g), with subsequent density flotation process for these two last matrices. The presence of MPs in all analysed samples was confirmed through the proposed methodology, especially polyamide and polyethylene particles, confirming the accumulation of these materials in the marine organism and the sediments. These results are key to understand MPs pollution in marine ecosystems and its possible impact on marine fauna.

PMID:40398795 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126478

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 19:126487. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126487. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) contamination threatens soil structure and function. We quantified how six common polymers: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl-chloride (PVC), interact with minerals in four textural (sandy-clay-loam, silty-clay-loam, clay-loam and sandy-loam). Retention, porosity, and aggregate stability were measured with SEM, FTIR, zeta-sizer, and X-ray-diffraction. Low-density polymers (PE and PP) accumulated at 5-10 mg kg^-1 in fine soils and raised stability by 20 %. High-density polymers (PVC and PET) were concentrated in the clay fractions of coarse soils and reduced macroporosity by ≤ 15 %. Allophane and kaolinite adsorbed 19 % and 12 % of low-density MPs, respectively, whereas hematite and hornblende retained ≤ 7 %. Polymer density and mineral surface area jointly govern MP fate and the resulting shifts in soil physical quality. These polymer-specific mechanisms support the targeted mitigation and refined risk assessment of terrestrial microplastic pollution.

PMID:40398796 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126487

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 19:126480. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126480. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Coral reefs, often located near land-based sources of these pollutants, act as potential sinks due to their complex three-dimensional structures. While the interactions between reef-building corals and MPs have been increasingly investigated, the role of coral structural complexity in MP accumulation remains poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of coral structural complexity on MP trapping efficiency under natural conditions, specifically aiming to: I) quantify and characterize MPs trapped by Pocillopora corals, II) compare MP distribution across coral compartments (surface, tissue, and skeleton), and III) assess the relationship between seven metrics of coral complexity (i.e., S/V ratio, fractal dimension, compactness, convexity, sphericity, packing, and rugosity) and MP loads. Six Pocillopora sp. colonies, comprising 36 fragments, were sampled from a reef in Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i. MPs were extracted from the coral surface, tissue, and skeleton for quantification and characterization using microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Coral complexity was assessed using photogrammetry and 3D scanning. MPs were found at an average of 0.029 ± 0.079 particles per g coral, mostly at the coral surface (61%). Compact, thick-branched coral morphologies showed higher MP accumulation, likely due to enhanced stagnant water regions and reduced turbulence. Our results demonstrate that coral complexity plays a significant role in MP deposition under natural conditions, with potential implications for coral health and the transfer of MPs to other reef sinks. This highlights the importance of considering coral morphological complexity when evaluating the risk of MP pollution.

PMID:40398804 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126480

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 20;218:118144. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118144. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic contamination has been widely documented across the globe, however few reports have been published on this topic in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this study, microplastic contamination was assessed in beach sediments from 23 sites across three regions of the country: Northland, Waikato and Canterbury. A protocol was devised and validated to separately isolate, quantify and characterise microplastics in two size ranges: large (300-5000 μm) and small (< 300 μm) particles. The size distributions at all sites were strongly skewed towards small microplastics, which represented >99 % of the total particle count. Overall mean abundances were 3.3 particles kg^-1 (range 0-27) and 788 particles kg^-1 (range 0-9818) for large and small microplastics, respectively. No significant differences in concentrations of either size category were observed between the three regions or when comparing west coast with east coast sites. The particles were also characterised with respect to morphology, colour and chemical composition. Fibres (42 %) and fragments (39 %) were the most common morphologies. The most abundant polymer types were polyethylene (46 %) and polyamide (33 %), although substantial variations in microplastic composition with both size category and location were found. These findings underline the importance of employing sampling and isolation techniques for microplastics from environmental samples that ensure the collection and quantification of smaller sized particles, which are easily missed. Failure to follow adequate protocols will result in severe risk of underestimating the actual extent of microplastic contamination and its potential environmental impact.

PMID:40398018 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118144

Eur J Neurol. 2025 May;32(5):e70144. doi: 10.1111/ene.70144.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Microplastics are emerging as environmental pollutants with potential neurotoxic effects, yet their association with neurological disabilities remains largely unexplored.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study comprising 218 coastal counties in the United States, we compared the self-reported prevalence of cognitive disability, mobility disability, self-care disability, and independent living disability in counties with very high and low marine microplastic levels (MMLs). Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) were computed using population-weighted quasi-Poisson regression across three different models to examine the relationship between disability prevalence and MMLs.

RESULTS: Counties exposed to very high marine microplastic levels had a higher mean prevalence of self-reported cognitive disability (15.2% vs. 13.9%), mobility disability (14.1% vs. 12.3%), self-care disability (4.2% vs. 3.6%), and independent living disability (8.5% vs. 7.7%) compared to those exposed to low levels (p < 0.001). Regression analyses revealed significantly elevated adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for cognitive (PR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.06-1.12], p < 0.001), mobility (PR: 1.06 [1.03-1.10], p < 0.001), self-care (PR: 1.16 [1.11-1.20], p < 0.001), and independent living disability (PR: 1.08 [1.05-1.12], p < 0.001) in counties with very high microplastic exposure compared to those with low exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a significant association between marine microplastic pollution and the self-reported prevalence of cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living disabilities at the county level. While merely associative, these findings emphasize the urgent need for further investigation into the individual-level health impacts of microplastic exposure and underscore the importance of environmental interventions to mitigate potential risks.

PMID:40396917 | DOI:10.1111/ene.70144

Sci Rep. 2025 May 21;15(1):17630. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-02738-w.

ABSTRACT

Mechanical abrasion is an important wind driven process which can degrade plastic litter on sandy beaches, desert environments and in agricultural settings. Wind-driven particle impacts can cause surface roughening and chemical changes and eventually complete fragmentation in high stress environments. Aeolian abrasion has been considered in the context of microplastics (< 5 mm) which can be easily mobilised by wind. However, macroplastic (> 5 mm) abrasion has primarily been confined to engineering studies using high air velocities (> 25 m s^-1) and large abraders (> 6 mm) which generate greater impact forces than observed in the natural environment. Using laboratory abrasion experiments, we demonstrate that the surface microtextures and surface chemistry of three different types of plastic are substantially altered during the processes of aeolian abrasion at impact particle velocities of 0.6 m s^-1. After ten days of continuous abrasion with four different erodents the macroplastic surfaces developed textures resulting from micro-cutting, denting, flaking, micro-pitting and surface flattening. The prevalence of each surface texture was dependent upon the angularity of the erodent and the type of plastic. In all cases, polymer surface chemical compositions became more complex due to embedding of shattered abrasive and the replacment of carbon with oxygen and silica.

PMID:40399498 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-02738-w

Water Environ Res. 2025 May;97(5):e70099. doi: 10.1002/wer.70099.

ABSTRACT

The global upsurge in plastic demand has overwhelmed waste management systems, with nano/microplastic (N/MP) pollution emerging as a critical environmental challenge. With wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) identified as a key source of MPs release to the aquatic environment, reflecting the design limitations in addressing MPs. Herein, this comparative study proposes a novel application of a complete mixed anoxic-oxidation membrane bioreactor (MBR) integrated with three varying polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hollow fiber (HF) membranes for N/MP removal. The fouling behavior of MPs within the MBR was investigated to provide insight on the NPs rejection capabilities of the MBR. The results demonstrate high organics rejection efficiency (99.43% ± 0.13%), complete removal of NPs, and a direct correlation between membrane hydrophilicity and fouling resistance. Notably, hydrophilic and smooth membranes promoted the interaction of microbial aggregation and agglomerations of NPs, enhancing their capture. This study highlights the pivotal mechanism and role of membrane selection in optimizing MBR as an adaptable and effective solution for mitigating N/MPs pollution in wastewater. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Microplastics pollution in membrane bioreactor. Fouling mechanism of microplastics in membrane bioreactor. Fouling behavior of microplastics in membrane bioreactor. Interaction of microplastics and membrane bioreactor. Fouling resistance of microplastics in membrane bioreactor.

PMID:40396414 | DOI:10.1002/wer.70099

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2025 May 21;25(1):25. doi: 10.1007/s11882-025-01206-9.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The frequency of natural disasters, other extreme weather events, and downstream emissions of emerging contaminants is increasing. One category of health outcome that is now experiencing increased prevalence due to these environmental threats is respiratory disease, specifically asthma and allergies; though a review summarizing current knowledge and research gaps has not been synthesized on this topic in recent years despite growing evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS: We identified recent literature that connects allergy/asthma with environmental events that are increasing in prevalence alongside natural disasters and other extreme weather events, including algal blooms, floods, heat stress, wildfires, and thunderstorms. Coinciding emissions of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs) are also discussed as downstream outcomes of these environmental events. Available evidence ranged according to environmental event/stressor type, with over 50 papers identified as relevant to this research scope in the last five years. Narrative synthesis of these papers highlighted exposure-disease linkages for stressors related to natural disasters, other extreme weather events, and downstream emissions of emerging contaminants with pulmonary asthma and allergy outcomes. Underlying biological mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated and include widespread inflammation in the lungs and changes in immune cell signaling and function across the pulmonary system. Take home points in this review pave the way for future investigations to better understand the impacts of these environmental events amongst the complex milieu of threats becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide.

PMID:40397190 | DOI:10.1007/s11882-025-01206-9

Sci Total Environ. 2025 May 19;983:179688. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179688. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As cities grapple with the invisible threat of airborne microplastics (MPs), non-exhaust emissions, especially traffic-related MPs, contribute significantly to urban air pollution. While emission regulations have reduced exhaust pollutants, non-exhaust sources remain a significant challenge. Urban green infrastructure (UGI), valued for aesthetic and ecological functions, remains underexplored for MP mitigation. This study assesses the role of a Thuja occidentalis hedge in Kaunas, Lithuania, as a natural barrier against traffic-related MPs. Over a four-month seasonal campaign, passive deposition sampling was conducted at four distances from the street, with additional sampling in the hedge's absence for an experimental-control comparison. Optical microscopy revealed distinct size and shape distributions, while μ-FTIR spectroscopy confirmed dominant polymer compositions: PE (69.05 %) in spring, PIR (35.96 %) in winter, and ACRs (28.52 %) in summer. The highest average fragment concentration occurred in spring (98.25 %), while fibers peaked in winter (12.75 %). Black was dominant year-round, with the highest average in spring (55.35 %), followed by white in winter (42.16 %) and brown in spring (26.98 %). MPs in the 50-100 μm range were most abundant, reaching 55.26 % in spring. A similar trend appeared in vertical MP distribution. The most pronounced difference was noticed at (+1 m) behind the hedge, where MP concentration was 4.59 particles cm^-2 day^-1, significantly lower than 9.2 particles cm^-2 day^-1 in the control. The hedge showed peak removal efficiencies in summer (64.5 % total MPs, 64.3 % fragments, 71.4 % fibers). The 50-100 μm range exhibited the highest efficiency, averaging 67.25 % with a seasonal high of 94.24 % in spring. Strong Mantel (rm) and Pearson's (r) correlations of very small MPs (<20 μm) at -1 m suggest a significant influence from tire wear, brake wear, and road dust resuspension. This study highlights Thuja hedge as an active defender against MP pollution, advocating for its strategic integration into urban design to enhance public health protection.

PMID:40394788 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179688

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 21. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c14505. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a significant global concern in soil systems. The spatial risk of MPs in soils, the cascading effects of climate, human activities, and air quality, and the ecosystem gradients from natural habitats, agricultural lands, and urban soils remain largely unknown. We compile a comprehensive data set of more than 3000 site-year field observations across agricultural, natural, and urban soil ecosystems in China. By using interpretable machine learning models and statistical approaches, our findings reveal that approximately 4.32% of soil ecosystems in China face potential ecological risks from MPs, with agricultural soils being the most vulnerable (e.g., 14.7% of agricultural soils are at risk). Climate factors (e.g., temperature and precipitation), human activities (e.g., agricultural plastic film use), and air quality (e.g., concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter) have been identified as the primary drivers of MP risk. The cascading effects of climate factors and air quality (p < 0.001) significantly impact the ecological risk of MPs in agricultural and urban soils. This work highlights the urgent need for the coordinated management of human activities, climate, and air quality to mitigate the ecological risks posed by MPs in soils, especially in agricultural lands.

PMID:40397046 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c14505

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2025 May 21;25(1):25. doi: 10.1007/s11882-025-01206-9.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The frequency of natural disasters, other extreme weather events, and downstream emissions of emerging contaminants is increasing. One category of health outcome that is now experiencing increased prevalence due to these environmental threats is respiratory disease, specifically asthma and allergies; though a review summarizing current knowledge and research gaps has not been synthesized on this topic in recent years despite growing evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS: We identified recent literature that connects allergy/asthma with environmental events that are increasing in prevalence alongside natural disasters and other extreme weather events, including algal blooms, floods, heat stress, wildfires, and thunderstorms. Coinciding emissions of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs) are also discussed as downstream outcomes of these environmental events. Available evidence ranged according to environmental event/stressor type, with over 50 papers identified as relevant to this research scope in the last five years. Narrative synthesis of these papers highlighted exposure-disease linkages for stressors related to natural disasters, other extreme weather events, and downstream emissions of emerging contaminants with pulmonary asthma and allergy outcomes. Underlying biological mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated and include widespread inflammation in the lungs and changes in immune cell signaling and function across the pulmonary system. Take home points in this review pave the way for future investigations to better understand the impacts of these environmental events amongst the complex milieu of threats becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide.

PMID:40397190 | DOI:10.1007/s11882-025-01206-9

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 21. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c12492. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a major source of microplastic emissions, accurate quantification of TWPs remains challenging due to tread composition heterogeneity and inconsistent methods. To improve the quantification accuracy under scarce tire composition data, a novel method was established based on real treads to establish more accurate quantitative curves using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the first time, the rubber content of three types of treads was quantified using a comprehensive group of pyrolysis monomers and derivatives. The approach was validated by tread cryogrinds, which showed the accuracy was improved to 94-113% compared with previous methods. A tiered approach was established to calculate worn tread mass while distinguishing and eliminating interfering signals in matrices. Further, an analytical framework for TWPs in various environmental samples to identify their sources and quantify fluxes was proposed with the availability of auxiliary data. This framework can serve as basis for more efficient management of TWPs contamination.

PMID:40399244 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c12492

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):3189-3199. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202405273.

ABSTRACT

Waste sludge is an important carrier of antibiotic resistance genes （ARGs） and an important place for the enrichment of microplastics （MPs）. To explore the impacts of typical MPs on sludge recycling and harmless disposal, the effects of polyamide （PA）, polyethylene （PE）, and polypropylene （PP） MPs on the methanogenesis efficiency of anaerobic digestion were investigated. Meanwhile, based on metagenomic sequencing, the effects of MPs on ARGs, mobile genetic elements （MGEs）, microbial community structure, and host bacteria during anaerobic digestion were analyzed. The results showed that PA-MPs, PE-MPs, and PP-MPs increased the distribution of methane production by 2.2%, 22.3%, and 28.8%, respectively. MPs promoted methanation by improving the dissolution and hydrolysis efficiency of organic matter, and the enrichment of hydrogenotrophic methanogens by PP-MPs further improved the methanogenic efficiency. PA-MPs contributed to the removal of ARGs, while PE-MPs and PP-MPs had adverse effects on the reduction of ARGs. Horizontal gene transfer mediated by integron and insertion sequences was an important factor in the spread of ARGs. Proteobacteria was the key host leading to the diffusion of ARGs. The removal of pathogens from Bacteroidetes by anaerobic digestion contributed to the reduction of ARGs. The selective enrichment or inhibition of Arenimonas, Acinetobacter, Actinobacillus, Nitrospira, and other important host bacteria by MPs was the major cause for the difference in the removal effect of ARGs.

PMID:40390443 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202405273

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):3200-3208. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202401126.

ABSTRACT

A susceptible method has been established to simultaneously quantify five types of microplastics greater than 0.22 μm across various environmental matrices, namely, polyethylene （PE）, polypropylene （PP）, polystyrene （PS）, polyvinyl chloride （PVC）, and polyethylene terephthalate （PET）. In detail, five types of microplastics were completely pyrolyzed within a tubular furnace. Pyrolyzates were captured using a Tenax TA absorbent. Subsequently, target compounds were rereleased in a thermal desorption instrument and transferred into gas chromatography/mass spectrometry （GC/MS）. The indicative compounds were filtered and selected to identify and quantify target microplastics. The instrument detection limits for the five types of microplastics ranged from 0.03 μg to 1.91 μg, whereas the method detection limits of target microplastics were 0.07-2.87 μg·L^-1 in water, 0.31-16.52 μg·g^-1 in soil/sediment, and 0.11-7.41 μg·g^-1 in the organism, respectively. The relative standard deviations of 3.31%-22.37%, recoveries of 74.21%-119.63%, and quantitative ranges of 3.7-75 μg for PS； 15-300 μg for PP, PVC, and PET； and 30-600 μg for PE were also implemented. Importantly, this method had simple requirements for sample pretreatment, avoided the interference of complex matrix, and improved the repeatability and reliability of results. Subsequently, the technique quantified target microplastics in water, soil, sediments, and biological tissue. The results showed that the total mass concentrations of five microplastics in water samples were 4.48-37.34 μg·L^-1 and 10.55-218.98 μg·g^-1 in soil and sediments, respectively, and 8.82-19.81 μg·g^-1 in biological samples. This present study provided a reliable technical guarantee for future investigation and monitoring of environmental microplastic pollution.

PMID:40390444 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202401126

J Agric Food Chem. 2025 May 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The widespread use and nonstandard disposal of plastic products led to inevitable copollution of microplastics (MPs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs). However, gaps remain in understanding the influence of aged MPs on the bioaccumulation and biotoxicity of NBFRs in terrestrial environments. We assessed the effects of UV-aged MPs derived from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyethylene (PE) on the bioaccumulation of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in a soil-earthworm system. After 28-d exposure, DBDPE bioaccumulation in the intestine of earthworms under coexposure (0.1% or 1% MPs in 10 mg kg^-1 DBDPE soil) exhibited better impacts of MPs than that in the whole tissue. Overall, the aging of biodegradable PLA-MPs promoted DBDPE bioaccumulation in the intestine of earthworms through ingestion and thus reduced DBDPE attachment on the aged PLA-MPs in soil, which relied on their increased adsorption to DBDPE. Similarly, the aging of PE-MPs reduced DBDPE bioaccumulation in the intestine due to the decreased adsorption ability to DBDPE. Specifically, aged PLA-MPs increased DBDPE in the intestine by 15%, while aged PE-MPs decreased it by 21%. Aged PE-MPs formed stable biofilms in soil with strong binding to DBDPE, thereby reducing DBDPE bioaccumulation in earthworms but exacerbating its migration risks. This reflected the "vector effect" of aged MPs on DBDPE bioaccumulation in earthworms with ingestion. Furthermore, SR-FTIR confirmed that MPs remained in tissues and DBDPE was loaded on the MPs' surface in the intestine, indirectly verifying the vector effect of MPs. This work highlights discrepant risks between biobased degradable and fuel-based hydrocarbon MPs in HOC-contaminated soil in realistic environmental scenarios.

PMID:40391681 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01009

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c03796. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) serve as carriers for microbial community colonization, forming unique ecosystems known as plastispheres in urban aquatic ecosystems. However, interactions among microbes, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and MPs remain poorly understood. This study investigates microbial consortia and their EPS secretion behaviors across various plastispheres at two representative coastal urban water sites. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed that MP type significantly influenced microbial community structures in reservoir environments (R² = 0.60, p < 0.001), highlighting the pronounced impact of MP types in high-quality urban waters. Specific microbial phyla and genera were identified as key contributors to EPS compositional variations across different plastispheres. Hierarchical partitioning results identified Acidobacteria, Nitrospirae, and Planctomycetes as influential phyla positively affecting EPS composition. Spearman correlation analysis pinpointed Robiginitialea (positive correlation) and Fimbriiglobus (negative correlation) as critical genera influencing EPS dynamics. Moreover, EPS-related gene abundance corresponded closely with observed EPS compositional differences. Dominant genes associated with protein biosynthesis included xapD in reservoirs and glnA in bays, while glmS and eno were predominant for polysaccharide biosynthesis in bays. This research advances our understanding of microbial-EPS-MP interactions in urban water systems, offering critical insights into ecological remediation and risk assessment of MP pollution.

PMID:40392941 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c03796

Mar Environ Res. 2025 May 13;209:107223. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107223. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mangroves in the Philippines are essential ecosystems that support a diverse array of species. It also provides various ecosystem services, such as trapping of pollutants, including plastics. Microplastics are one of the pollutants that pose a significant ecological threat. These can be retained in mangroves and in the deeper layers of sediments. Thus, this study aimed to determine and characterize the microplastics in different areas and sediment depths in the mangroves in Misamis Oriental (Alubijid), Surigao del Norte (Siargao), and Lanao del Norte (Bacolod) in Mindanao, Philippines. The abundance of microplastics in Alubijid recorded the highest values (750.00-2250.00 items kg^-1), followed by Siargao (250.00-750.00 items kg^-1) and Bacolod (83.33-583.33 items kg^-1). Microplastics were prevalent in the landward zone of Alubjid (1150 items kg^-1) and Bacolod (216.67 items kg^-1). The microplastic morphology varied depending on the site, with fragments being predominant in Alubijid (42 %), fibers in Siargao (56 %), and films in Bacolod (41 %). The dominant color was green in Bacolod (32 %), blue in Siargao (34 %), and transparent in Alubijid (33 %). Prevalent polymers were polypropylene in Alubijid (45 %) and Bacolod (36 %), and polyester in Siargao (33 %). Moreover, there were no trends in microplastic abundance, color, shape, and polymer type with depth among all sites. The characteristics of microplastics at the site may be attributed to the plastic use, economic activities, and solid waste management practices in the area. Our findings serve as baseline data leading to the formulation of strategies for microplastic impacts on mangrove ecosystems.

PMID:40393259 | DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107223

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):3161-3170. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202403264.

ABSTRACT

The contamination of agricultural fields by microplastics （MPs） has emerged as a prominent issue of current concern. A 180-day indoor soil cultivation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of various particle sizes [millimeter-scale （mMP）, micrometer-scale （μMP）, and nanometer-scale （nMP）] of polyethylene microplastics （PE-MP） on the mineralization of soil organic carbon （SOC） and changes in its characteristic components. The results indicated that while PE-MP initially （0-13 days） promoted SOC mineralization, it inhibited it over the long term （180 days）, with larger PE-MP particles exhibiting a more pronounced inhibitory effect. PE-MP significantly increased the proportion of SOC distribution within large （&gt;2 mm） and small （0.25-2 mm） aggregates while reducing it in micro-aggregates and silt-clay fractions, with larger-sized PE-MP （mMP and μMP） showing a more pronounced effect, suggesting that the physical protection of SOC by larger aggregates may be a key mechanism for reducing SOC mineralization. Larger-sized PE-MP （mMP） significantly increased the content of active organic carbon [readily oxidizable organic carbon （ROC） and dissolved organic carbon （DOC）] in soil, whereas smaller-sized PE-MP （nMP） significantly decreased DOC content. PE-MP notably increased the content of light fraction organic carbon （LFOC） while significantly decreasing that of heavy fraction organic carbon （HFOC）, with the degree of reduction becoming more pronounced with decreasing particle size. Furthermore, PE-MP significantly reduced the humification degree of dissolved organic matter （DOM）, with smaller particle sizes leading to higher reductions. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling further revealed that particle size mediated the differential impacts of PE-MP on the contents of various organic carbon characteristic components, degree of DOM humification, and the proportion of SOC in large and small aggregates, thereby influencing the ultimate intensity of SOC mineralization （cumulative CO₂ emissions）. In summary, larger-sized PE-MP facilitated SOC retention and inhibition of its mineralization in agricultural fields； however, as particle size decreases, this beneficial effect may diminish and even become detrimental. These findings provide valuable scientific theoretical foundations for the scientific assessment of the environmental effects of PE-MP in agricultural fields and for effective pollution prevention and control measures.

PMID:40390440 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202403264

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 16;494:138641. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138641. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although many studies have already highlighted the effects of mulch-derived microplastics (MDMPs) on adsorbing and spreading organic pollutants, the ecological risks of MDMPs co-contaminated with herbicide and the interaction between them have not been clarified. In this study, the interactions between MDMPs from virgin and aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films and the herbicide acetochlor in soil were investigated by microcosmic experiments. Results showed that acetochlor in soil was significantly enriched on the surface of MDMPs, with higher concentration on aged-MDMPs compared to virgin-MDMPs. Acetochlor significantly accelerated the fragmentation of aged-MDMPs, leading to more oxygenated functional groups and promoting biofilm development. Acetochlor also notably altered plastisphere microbial community, with Pseudomonas dominating for an extended period in acetochlor-treated samples. This suggests that Pseudomonas may facilitate the aging of MDMPs, likely due to its dual ability to degrade both acetochlor and polyethylene. Additionally, acetochlor initially increased microbial diversity and interaction complexity in the plastisphere, but decreased them in later phase, resulting in a more specialized community. These findings reported here broaden our understanding of interactions between MDMPs and herbicide in soil and offer insights for improved farmland management practices.

PMID:40393295 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138641

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 May 19;299:118347. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118347. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Identifying microplastics (MPs) in tap water has recently attracted considerable attention. The present study aimed to systematically review MPs contamination and characteristics in tap water. All techniques used for sampling, processing, and analyzing MPs in tap water were also assessed. Furthermore, the characteristics of MPs, including abundance, type, color, and shape, were summarized. Various databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springer, and MDPI, were searched to find published articles up to January 2025. The occurrence of MPs in tap water was meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. A total of 6100 articles were found, of which 43 were included in the systematic review. The results indicated that the pooled mean concentration of MPs in tap water was 56.98 particles per liter (P/L). Manual sampling with a sample volume of less than 1 liter was most commonly used, and microscopic, Raman, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods were frequently applied for extracting and identifying MPs. The most abundant polymer identified was polyethylene (PE), followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). Fibers and fragments were the dominant forms of MPs found in water. The lack of a harmonized protocol and the difficulty in validating MP analysis methods in tap water have led to inconsistent and sometimes contradictory results, making comparisons unreliable. The findings of this systematic review can support the development of a comprehensive protocol and promote standardized, harmonized methods for MP analysis in tap water.

PMID:40393317 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118347

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):2694-2707. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202403221.

ABSTRACT

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of microplastics in surface waters in China and clarify the related ecological risks, data of surface water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries in China from 2014 to 2023 were collected, and the potential ecological risk index method was used to comprehensively evaluate the ecological risk of microplastics in surface water bodies of ten major basins in China. The results showed that the rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries in different basins of China were all polluted by microplastics. The main materials were polypropylene and polyethylene, mainly colorless transparent fibers and fragments, and the size was mostly &lt;1 mm, but the abundance of microplastics was significantly different. The median abundance of microplastics in the surface water of rivers, lakes, and estuaries in each basin ranged from 628 to 35 804, 1 to 4 738, and 869 to 792 100 items·m^-3, respectively. The median abundance of microplastics in sediments ranged from 61 to 1 531, 19 to 1 236, and 120 to 1 228 items·kg^-1, respectively. From the total potential ecological risk index （PERI_tot） of microplastics in rivers, the Haihe River Basin was at high ecological risk （level Ⅳ）, while the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin were at medium ecological risk （level Ⅲ）. The majority of PERI_tot in the rivers of the Haihe River Basin came from polyurethane, with a highest contribution rate of 99.88%, while the main contributors to the PERI_tot of rivers and lakes in the Yellow River and the Yangtze River Basin and the PERI_tot of the surface water in the Yellow River Estuary were polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene, respectively. Microplastic pollution on the surface water bodies of the southeast side of HU Huan-yong Line was crucial, whereas a few research reports were available on microplastics in the surface water bodies on the northwest side, and the pollution status remained unclear. The abundance of microplastics in surface water bodies in different regions was significantly positively correlated with the population density and local gross domestic product （P&lt;0.05）. The study shows the basin distribution characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in surface water bodies in China, which can provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of microplastic pollution in surface water bodies.

PMID:40390401 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202403221

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):3179-3188. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202405311.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports on the environmental impact caused by the accumulation of microplastics in soil. However, there is limited research on the comprehensive effects of microplastics on the physiology, growth, soil characteristics, enzymes, and nutrients throughout the entire lifecycle of plants. To investigate the influence of soil microplastics on strawberry growth, the effects of different particle sizes and concentrations of polyvinyl chloride microplastics （PVC-MPs） on the germination rate and germination time of strawberry seeds, as well as physiological indicators and the physicochemical properties of the soil during strawberry growth, were elucidated through germination experiments and pot experiments. The results indicated that the addition of PVC-MPs led to a 4%-12% decrease in strawberry seed germination rate and delayed germination time. PVC-MPs may have caused oxidative stress in strawberries, reducing chlorophyll content in leaves, stimulating the release of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） in the antioxidant defense system of plants and reducing cell damage. The addition of 5% PVC-MPs significantly inhibited the activity of β-glucosidase （BG） and leucine aminopeptidase （LAP） in the soil while enhancing the activity of β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase （NAG） and acid phosphatase （ACP）. The addition of high concentrations of PVC-MPs increased soil porosity and reduced the content of available phosphorus （AP） and the content of soil organic carbon （SOC）, which decreased by 39.3-48.9 g·kg^-1 compared with that in the control group. The content of nitrate nitrogen （NO₃^－-N） of the treatment adding 5% 20 μm decreased by 52%, and the content of ammonium nitrogen （NH₄⁺-N） increased by 50%. These results indicate that PVC-MPs can alter soil structure, affect soil nutrients, and have a certain interference effect on strawberry growth and development. The research results can provide a reference basis for evaluating the ecological risk of PVC-MPs.

PMID:40390442 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202405311

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):3171-3178. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202404013.

ABSTRACT

The multiple contamination of heavy metal-microplastics occurs frequently in soil； however, ecological risk research on this subject is still lacking. In a 60-day pot experiment, lettuce in soils was contaminated with different biodegradable microplastics （MPs） and heavy metal cadmium （Cd）. The basic physicochemical properties of the soil, Cd availability, and the accumulation and transfer effects of Cd in lettuce were analyzed. Additionally, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy was used to analyze the composition characteristics of soil dissolved organic matter （DOM）. The results indicated that MPs reduced the soil cation exchange capacity （CEC） and the content of ammonium nitrogen （NH₄⁺-N） while increasing the content of soil dissolved organic carbon. The multiple contamination of MPs and Cd significantly enhanced the microbial source characteristics of soil DOM, reduced the humification degree of DOM, and significantly weakened its autochthonous characteristics. There was a significant positive correlation between the Cd-CaCl₂ content and the total Cd content in the soil, while the correlation with soil chemical properties was not significant. MPs increased the accumulation of Cd in lettuce roots, with no significant effect on the accumulation of Cd in the leaves （P&gt;0.05）. The accumulation of Cd in lettuce roots and leaves was mainly influenced by the total Cd content in the soil and the Cd-CaCl₂ content （R&gt;0.85, P&lt;0.05） and decreased with the increase in the humification degree of soil DOM and the content of humic-like substances. This study can provide data support for the ecological risk assessment of composite pollution of soil microplastics and heavy metals.

PMID:40390441 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202404013

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 18;494:138653. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138653. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Estuaries are biologically rich ecosystems and act as aggregation zones for microplastic (MP) during their transport from rivers to the sea, posing heightened ecological risks compared to other aquatic environments. However, limit criteria for MP discharge to guide risk management remain lacking. This study quantified the water environmental capacity (WEC) of estuarine MPs using species health-based microplastic concentration (MPC) thresholds. Classified MPs simulation employed probability density functions and shape factors to convert mass concentrations into particle counts during the flood season in the Yangtze River estuary. The 5 % species hazard concentration (HC₅) with two ecologically relevant metrics was selected as the MPC threshold by correcting the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves for polydispersity and biological accessibility of environmental MPs. Lastly, the dynamic WEC framework was established by linking MP simulations to MPC thresholds. MP aggregation hotspots were found in the intertidal zone and maximum turbidity zone in southern branch, which is akin to locating the 'shortest plank' in bucket effect. The average rescaled MPC in hotspots reached 4.77 × 10⁵particles/(d·m³), accounting for 14.38 % of the WEC safety threshold. This framework explored scientific basis for quantifying the MPs carrying capacity of estuarine ecosystems and allocation of plastic discharge rights.

PMID:40393292 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138653

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2025 May 8;46(5):2708-2718. doi: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202404309.

ABSTRACT

With the wide application of plastics, the environmental problems and health risks brought by microplastics are gradually becoming prominent and the effects of flow concentration on the microplastic pollution in the water environment of a closed sub-watershed remain unclear. Therefore, a comprehensive survey was carried out at the sub-watershed scale to explore the distribution characteristics of microplastic pollution in the water of tributaries, main streams, and lakes of the Luoshijiang sub-watershed in the Erhai Lake Basin. The effects of flow concentration on water microplastic pollution were also analyzed. The results showed that： ① The abundance of microplastics in the water of the stemflow （14 500 n·m^-3） and lake （16 562 n·m^-3） was significantly higher than that of tributaries （8 714 n·m^-3,P&lt;0.05） in the Luoshijiang sub-watershed. The main polymer types were rayon （47.16%） and polyester （38.41%）. The particle size of microplastics was concentrated in the range of 0.2-1 mm （73.59%）, and more than 99.37% of microplastics were fiber-shaped, and the main color was transparent （65.08%）. ② The microplastic diversity index followed the sequence as main stream&gt;tributary&gt;lake. The stemflow had the highest abundance and polymer and color types of microplastics. The flow concentration in the river showed a net increase in the microplastic abundance and diversity index of the main stream. ③ The pollution characteristics of microplastics including particle size （0.2~0.5, 0.5~1, and 1~2 mm）, color, and shape in water showed a significant positive correlation with that in adjacent soil （P&lt;0.05）. Soil and water PES, 0.5-1 mm microplastic distribution, and microplastic size diversity showed higher similarity. The overland flow caused soil microplastics to migrate into water. In the Luoshijiang sub-watershed with the independent and enclosed features, the flow concentration altered the migration and distribution of microplastics. Plastic pollution control and source reduction at a small watershed scale should be strengthened.

PMID:40390402 | DOI:10.13227/j.hjkx.202404309

Part Fibre Toxicol. 2025 May 20;22(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s12989-025-00633-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent studies emphasize the significance of copper dyshomeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, thereby highlighting the role of copper in neurotoxicity. Cuproptosis, a novel mechanism of copper-dependent cell death, remains underexplored, particularly concerning environmental pollutants like polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). While PS-NPs are recognized for inducing neurotoxicity through various forms of cell death, including apoptosis and ferroptosis, their potential to trigger neuronal cuproptosis has not yet been investigated. This study aims to determine whether exposure to PS-NPs induces neurotoxicity via cuproptosis and to explore the preliminary molecular mechanisms involved, thereby addressing this significant knowledge gap.

METHODS: Seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to PS-NPs at dose of 12.5 mg/kg, and were co-treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Complementary in vitro experiments were conducted using SH-SY5Y neuronal cells exposed to PS-NPs at a concentration of 0.75 mg/mL, with interventions that included the copper chelator tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), NAC, and the MAPK inhibitor PD98059.

RESULTS: Exposure to PS-NPs significantly increased cerebral copper accumulation (P < 0.05) and induced cuproptosis, characterized by lipid-acylated DLAT oligomerization, dysregulation of cuproptosis regulators (FDX1, LIAS, HSP70), and mitochondrial damage. In murine models, PS-NPs elicited neurotoxicity, as evidenced by neuronal loss, decreased Nissl body density, impaired synaptic plasticity, and suppressed oxidative stress markers (GSH, SOD, Nrf2), alongside activation of the ERK-MAPK pathway, ultimately resulting in deficits in learning and memory. Treatment with NAC alleviated these adverse effects. In SH-SY5Y cells, exposure to PS-NPs resulted in reduced cell viability (p < 0.01), an effect that was mitigated by TTM. Furthermore, NAC and PD98059 were found to reverse elevated copper levels, cuproptosis markers, and mitochondrial anomalies (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study presents preliminary evidence indicating that PS-NPs may induce neuronal cuproptosis, potentially through the oxidative stress-mediated activation of the ERK-MAPK pathway, which contributes to cognitive dysfunction in mice. These findings provide insights into the potential mechanisms underlying PS-NPs neurotoxicity and highlight possible therapeutic targets, such as copper chelation or MAPK inhibition, for mitigating the neurological risks associated with nanoplastic exposure, pending further validation in human-relevant models.

PMID:40394693 | DOI:10.1186/s12989-025-00633-w

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 19;494:138499. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138499. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Land-use type may affect the abundance, polymer types, and distribution characteristics of soil microplastics (MPs), but their distribution remains unknown in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province. Here, the abundance of MPs in film-mulched soil, farmland, orchard and forest soils was investigated, and characteristics of the MPs (shape, size, color, and polymer composition) were analyzed in soil samples collected from 23 sites. The average abundance of MPs in film-mulched soil, farmland, orchard and forest soil in the southern China were 2981.8, 4179.2, 2393.3 and 1486.7 items kg^-1 respectively. Small particles (< 1 mm), fragments and transparent particles were the main characteristics of the MPs observed. The correlation analysis showed that the total abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the precipitation, urbanization level, and soil pH, while negatively correlated with wind speed, indicating their roles in MP deposition and transport. Furthermore, the polymer composition analysis reveals the local sources of MPs and high heterogeneity. These findings emphasize the complex dynamics of MPs are shaped by meteorological factors, anthropogenic activities, and soil properties, which are significant for follow-up studies of MP pollution control and remediation.

PMID:40393286 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138499

Small Methods. 2025 May 19:e2500465. doi: 10.1002/smtd.202500465. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing production and inadequate disposal of plastics have led to widespread microplastic presence in the environment, posing potential health risks. However, existing microplastic detection techniques often face challenges in resolution, sensitivity, speed, and complexity of extraction and microplastic identification. In this study, a rapid, high-throughput approach based on fluorescence microscopy is developed and validated to investigate the prevalence of microplastics in bottled drinking water. By utilizing Nile Red (NR) staining for fluorescence imaging, imaging the entire filtered area, machine learning for automated classification, and thermal treatment to remove false positives, microplastic concentrations up to 1.52 × 10⁵ particles/liter and mineral microparticle concentrations up to 4.93 × 10⁵ particles/liter are detected. Over 90% of the detected microplastics are within the smallest 1-5 µm size range, a size fraction overlooked by the Delegated Drinking Water Act (DDWA) 2024, which focuses on particles larger than 20 µm. With fewer than 1% of microplastic particles in bottled water exceeding 20 µm, these findings highlight the urgent need for more rigorous regulatory frameworks and advanced detection methods, such as the fluorescence-based approach, to ensure the safety of drinking water.

PMID:40384175 | DOI:10.1002/smtd.202500465

ACS Omega. 2025 Apr 29;10(18):18840-18847. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c00692. eCollection 2025 May 13.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the conformation of soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in aqueous solution using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The focus is on PVA grades used in industrial water-soluble detergent films, comparing their behavior to nanometer-sized polystyrene (PS) beads. SAXS analysis indicates that soluble PVA chains adopt a single molecule random Gaussian coil conformation with a radius of gyration (R_g ) of approximately 14 nm, consistent across various grades, dissolution temperatures, and water hardness. DLS corroborates this single-molecule behavior, and AFM imaging confirms separated PVA chains. SAXS, DLS, and AFM collectively enhance understanding of PVA's behavior in solution. They provide distinguishing features (e.g., SAXS form factors, q ^-4 decay, q ^-2 decay; SAXS- and DLS-derived R_g /R_h ratio, AFM images) to aid in visualizing and differentiating between water-soluble polymers and micro- or nanoplastic polymers, which exhibit a hard interface. The study concludes that soluble PVA grades used in the detergent films maintain a stable single molecular chain conformation in water with a nonsolid interface, hence very different from known microplastics. This study also provides a basis for a methodology to differentiate the behavior of water-soluble polymers from microplastics.

PMID:40385175 | PMC:PMC12079603 | DOI:10.1021/acsomega.5c00692

ACS Omega. 2025 May 1;10(18):18457-18469. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.4c10678. eCollection 2025 May 13.

ABSTRACT

Plastic pollution in agricultural soil is a major concern, affecting soil biodiversity and functionality. In this context, studies of agricultural soil plastic pollution that consider its use across different regions are essential. Considering land use (forest, grassland, and agriculture), this study aimed to identify, quantify, and characterize plastic debris in various agroecosystems within a Southeast Brazil sub-basin. Additionally, the sampled plastic debris was georeferenced, allowing its characteristics to be correlated with terrain features, such as the LS factor and vegetation cover. Based on size, the plastic debris was categorized into macroplastics, mesoplastics, and coarse microplastics. The results revealed that agricultural areas accounted for 91.2% of the total plastic waste collected. The most common polymer types identified were polypropylene, polyethylene, and poly(vinyl chloride), comprising 82.6% of the total. The accumulation of plastic debris in this region was primarily linked to intensive human activity and agricultural practices. Moreover, its distribution strongly correlated with terrain characteristics, particularly the LS factor and vegetation cover, with higher concentrations observed in smooth and moderately undulating terrain. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring plastic debris in the microwatershed terrain and identifying pollution sources to provide valuable insights for mitigating its environmental impact.

PMID:40385217 | PMC:PMC12079247 | DOI:10.1021/acsomega.4c10678

ACS Omega. 2025 Apr 29;10(18):18668-18681. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c00063. eCollection 2025 May 13.

ABSTRACT

Agroecosystem sustainability and global food security may be threatened by the widespread presence and distribution of microplastics (MPs). This study investigates the impact of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics with four different dosages (0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5%) on the growth, development, and nitrogen uptake of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a legume that forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing root nodules. Oxidative stress was indicated by increases in the activity of hydrogen peroxide, proline, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase of 54.3, 72.93, 135.74, 41.59, and 44.59%, respectively, for the 3.5% dose (T4) and malondialdehyde and catalase of 23.7 and 17.52%, respectively, for the 2.5% dose (T3) over the control. Peanut seedlings' growth and development were inhibited through the suppression of chlorophyll a (30.92%), chlorophyll b (36.36%), and carotenoid (25.65%) for treatment 2 (T2) and plant height (19.52% for T4), plant dry weight (46.09%), leaf number (18.86%), and branch length (59.37%) for T4. However, root nodule number, weight, and plant N content promoted 30.19-72.32, 55.88-141.16, and 1.46-7.01%, respectively, from control to T4, which may be an adaptive mechanism for legumes to overcome N deficiency through the morphological and physiological adjustments in the stressed conditions. The study outcomes may provide worthy implications for correctly managing peanut crops in PVC MP-contaminated soil, which will ensure food security and ecosystem sustainability.

PMID:40385219 | PMC:PMC12079201 | DOI:10.1021/acsomega.5c00063

Microplast nanoplast. 2025;5(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9. Epub 2025 May 16.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the toxicological impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the human airway epithelium is limited and almost exclusively based on experiments applying high doses of spherical polystyrene (PS) particles. In this study, we investigated the toxicity of a broad size range of amorphous MNPs generated from different environmentally-relevant polymers.

METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to three different doses of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or polyamide (PA) particles (< 1 μm-10 μm), as well as leachates from these polymers. Toxicity was evaluated by assessment of cytotoxicity, inflammation (IL-8 release and inflammatory gene expression) and oxidative stress (DCFH-DA assay and antioxidant gene expression). Furthermore, the molecular mechanism behind MNP-induced inflammation was investigated by studying activation of two well-known inflammation related transcriptional factors (NF-κB and AP-1).

RESULTS: Only PA nanoplastics induced significant cell death, IL-8 secretion and inflammatory gene expression compared to vehicle control. PA-induced inflammation was accompanied by NF-κB, but not AP-1, transcriptional activity. PA did not increase cellular ROS levels; however, it did lead to increased expression of the antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase 2. In addition to PA, exposure to < 1 µm and 1-5 µm PP particles resulted in elevated IL-8 secretion, likely due to the presence of talc added as filler. None of the leachates affected cytotoxicity or inflammation.

CONCLUSION: Toxicity of MNPs to human bronchial epithelial cells was dependent on polymer type, size and dose. Nanoplastics, especially PA, were more toxic to bronchial epithelial cells than microplastics and induced cytotoxicity and an inflammatory response.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9.

PMID:40385552 | PMC:PMC12081513 | DOI:10.1186/s43591-025-00126-9

Env Sci Adv. 2025 May 13. doi: 10.1039/d5va00037h. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution in the form of synthetic microfibers is an increasing concern to human and ecological health, and household clothes washing is a major contributor to microplastic emissions. Consumer choices and washing behaviors could reduce this pollution, yet the psychological and behavioral drivers of these actions remain unknown. We present a pre-registered, three-month citizen science project in which Dutch residents used microfiber-capturing laundry bags at home. The citizen scientists completed pre- and post-study surveys of psychological factors such as identity, norms, perceived responsibility, and intentions, as well as washing behaviors like load size and washing temperature. After the study, citizen scientists increased modestly in problem awareness and perceived responsibility, but there were no significant changes in identity, personal norms, social norms about sustainability, perceived behavioral control, or intentions to use a laundry bag. To assess generalizability, we also compared the citizen scientists to a control sample of urban Dutch residents. The washing behaviors were weakly or uncorrelated with demographics or with psychological factors, suggesting that interventions on washing behaviors might focus on habits and skill development rather than trying to increase pro-environmental motivation. These results also suggest that interventions tested in citizen scientists may translate better to other populations than was previously suggested. Citizen science is a viable method for studying household washing under real-world conditions and provides insights for designing targeted behavioral interventions.

PMID:40385601 | PMC:PMC12082389 | DOI:10.1039/d5va00037h

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2025 May 19:vgaf124. doi: 10.1093/etojnl/vgaf124. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Laundry dryer lint has been identified as a potential tool to detect household sources of hazardous metal elements and their environmental and health effects. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the occurrence and distribution of hazardous metals in dryer lint samples. Dryer lint samples (n = 480), consisting of natural, synthetic fibres or a combination of these different types, were analysed for trace metals of toxicological concern (n = 11) using field portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (FP-XRF). The analysis revealed the presence of Sb (n = 250; 48 ± 2.5 μg/g) in the highest concentration in synthetic products and Br (n = 480, 17 ± 3.3 μg/g) in natural products. Lead and arsenic were detected in 32 and 4 samples at mean concentrations of 8.5 ± 1.2 µg/g and 4.8 ± 0.91 µg/g for Pb and As, respectively. A preliminary estimation of potential human exposure and illustrative exposure estimation via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact was also included for illustrative purposes. Since dryer lint represents the materials expelled during the drying process, its composition and potential reuse in households (e.g., recycling into new products) are crucial from an environmental perspective. This study highlights the importance of understanding the sources of these elements in clothing and the implications of metallic nanoparticles and microplastics.

PMID:40388207 | DOI:10.1093/etojnl/vgaf124

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 16:126475. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126475. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are ubiquitous in our environment, resulting in animal exposure and consumption via food, water, and air. Animals that consume microplastics may suffer from physiological effects like immunotoxicity or mitochondrial dysfunction, but how specific tissues may differentially respond to plastic consumption is poorly understood, particularly in terrestrial insects. Here, we measured transcriptomic responses of tissues (midgut, hindgut, fat body and ovaries) to microplastic consumption in a generalist ground-dwelling insect, the tropical house cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus. Using this approach, we provide insights on how microplastics may impact specific organ systems. We generated a de novo transcriptome, a useful resource for further studies on this emerging model insect, that we then used to infer differential gene expression due to microplastic consumption in individual organs. Ingestion of microplastics elicited unique changes in gene expression depending on the tissue of focus, with notable differentially-expressed genes related to survival and stress pathways as well as those related to metabolism, immunity, and cancer.

PMID:40383478 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126475

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 17;218:118165. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118165. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in blue carbon sequestration, coastal flood protection, and biodiversity conservation, while also serving as nursery habitats for threatened and economically important species. Due to their complex root structures, mangroves act as natural plastic traps, making them vulnerable to marine plastic contamination. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis synthesising available global data on macroplastic and microplastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems, assessing their prevalence and the environmental partitioning of plastics both within and outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We reviewed 44 primary studies and conducted statistical analyses to compare plastic abundance in the sediment, water, and biota. Our results show that mangrove ecosystems experience significant plastic pollution. Macroplastic abundance within the studied mangroves varied by five orders of magnitude, averaging 23.73 ± 8.80 items m^-2, comparable to the highest levels recorded on beaches and underscoring the plastic-trapping capacity of mangroves. Mangroves globally had a mean contamination of 1122.98 ± 150.17 microplastics kg^-1 in sediment and 16.00 ± 11.04 microplastics L^-1 in seawater, both approximately double estimated safe limits. Our analyses found a 45.5 % reduction in microplastic within mangrove sediments and an 83.3 % reduction in macroplastic contamination in protected mangrove ecosystems. However, seawater microplastic levels were higher within MPAs, particularly near urbanized areas. These findings emphasize the need for integrated mitigation strategies that combine MPAs with targeted plastic waste reduction measures. Our analyses also highlight that the ecological impacts of this plastic accumulation within mangrove ecosystems remains a key knowledge gap.

PMID:40382825 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118165

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 16;494:138645. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138645. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics often contain non-polar chemical additives, such as antioxidants, flame retardants, plasticizers, and UV stabilizers, which improve performance but have poorly understood environmental risks. This study assessed the aquatic toxicity of polypropylene (PP) containing the antioxidant Irgafos 168 (IRG) to the crustacean Daphnia magna and the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata. Commercial PP containing IRG (PPc) and additive- and oligomer-free PP (PPd) were irradiated at 254 nm using germicidal light, both with and without H₂O₂. The tested particles included microplastics (MPs, 1-50 μm and 50-500 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, < 1 μm). The results showed that the toxicity was influenced by particle size, concentration, and the presence of the antioxidant additive. Smaller particles, along with the presence of IRG and its degradation products, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, contributed to higher toxicity in both D. magna and R. subcapitata. The highest toxicity was observed for NPs containing IRG (PPc), which resulted in an EC₂₀ for D. magna immobilization of 7.2 ± 0.1 mg/L, compared to the less toxic NPs free of IRG (EC₂₀ 28.7 ± 4.2 mg/L). The growth rate of R. subcapitata was also more affected by NPs generated from PPc (EC₂₀ 0.2 ± 1.2 mg/L) than by the corresponding NPs free of IRG (LOEC 3 mg/L). Our findings showed that the main toxicity was driver was an increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation (LPO), damage to cell membrane integrity and impairment of esterase activity. The results demonstrated that irradiated plastic particles act as carriers for toxic non-polar compounds, enhancing negative effects on aquatic organisms, with particle size being a key factor. This study highlights the complex toxicological impacts of micro- and nano-plastics containing additives on aquatic biota.

PMID:40383040 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138645

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 16;218:118153. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118153. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics and antibiotics are emerging pollutants in marine environments, yet their combined effects on coastal sediments remain poorly understood. This study examined the impacts of microplastics and antibiotics on sediment properties and microbial communities through a 60-day laboratory simulation. Results showed that microplastics significantly reduced carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels in sediments, while both antibiotics and combined pollution decreased phosphorus content. Combined pollution also increased NH₄⁺-N concentration. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that microplastics elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, antibiotics increased fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase activity but decreased urease activity, and their combination further enhanced FDA hydrolase activity. Metagenomics analysis demonstrated that the presence of microplastics and antibiotics altered microbial community structure and metabolic functions. The dominant phylum Pseudomonadota (42.62 %-56.24 %) showed reduced abundance under combined pollution. Antibiotics significantly increased resistance gene abundance, while combined pollution led to selective enrichment of these genes. Both pollutants inhibited ammonia assimilation, and antibiotics also suppressed dissimilatory nitrate reduction. Conversely, combined pollution promoted nitrification and nitrogen fixation. While microplastics and antibiotics inhibited methane synthesis, combined pollution increased methane production via elevated mttB and hdrA genes. Antibiotics also reduced methane-oxidizing bacteria and genes, suppressing methane oxidation. These findings provide crucial insights into the ecological impacts of microplastics and antibiotics on coastal sediments, offering a theoretical basis for future marine pollution management strategies.

PMID:40381442 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118153

J Environ Manage. 2025 May 16;386:125800. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125800. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Single-use plastic bottled water (SUPBW) is a major contributor to microplastic pollution. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing university students' consumption of SUPBW. This cross-sectional survey, conducted during the 2023-2024 academic year at the country's largest public university, used a self-administered online questionnaire and convenience sampling. The questionnaire was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) frameworks. It included sections on general information, knowledge of environmental and health impacts, TPB constructs, and consumption behavior. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with SUPBW (SUPBW) consumption. The study included 438 participants. Factors that were significantly associated with frequent SUPBW consumption included undergraduate enrolment (OR = 2.33, p-value = 0.02); higher household income (OR = 1.64, p-value = 0.02); lack of environmental literacy from courses (OR = 1.87, p-value < 0.01), initiatives (OR = 1.22, p-value = 0.021), and workshops (OR = 1.51, p-value < 0.01); peer pressure (OR = 3.86, p-value < 0.001); subjective norms from family and friends (OR = 1.91, p < 0.01); perceived behavioral control (OR = 2.68, p-value = 0.01); convenience (OR = 1.32, p-value = 0.015); and strong intentions to continue use (OR = 2.45, p-value < 0.001). In contrast, higher knowledge of environmental impacts and health impacts were associated with infrequent SUPBW consumption. In conclusion, to reduce SUPBW use, interventions should enhance environmental literacy, counter social pressures, and offer sustainable options.

PMID:40381300 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125800

Anal Chem. 2025 May 17. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c00290. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fluorescent dye labeling is a visual method for the detection of microplastics (MPs). However, the interference from the background fluorescence in complex environmental samples results in overestimation of the MP number, and the nonspecific fluorescent dye cannot selectively detect a single type of MPs. Herein, phosphorescent naphthalene-doped carbon nitride quantum dots (NDCNQDs) were prepared via incomplete condensation of urea with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene at 250 °C and used as a specific dye to stain polyamide (PA) MPs via hydrogen bonding. A phosphorescence imaging method for the selective detection of PA MPs was proposed. Benefitting from the long lifetime of phosphorescence, the interference from the background fluorescence in environmental samples was avoided. The recoveries for PA MPs in pond water samples and pond mud samples were 91.2-108.4%. PA MPs in environmental samples (e.g., streamwater, sediment, house dust) were analyzed without complicated pretreatment. This work provides a strategy for the specific detection of PA MPs in environmental samples.

PMID:40380909 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c00290

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 15;377:126468. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126468. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are persistent pollutants that can adsorb contaminants, facilitating their accumulation in aquatic ecosystems. The presence of UV filters (UVFs) such as benzophenone-3 (BP3) and octocrylene (OC), exacerbates this issue, particularly in coastal areas. This study presents an innovative dual-method approach combining high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and differential pulse adsorptive stripping voltammetry (DPAdSV) to assess the adsorption of UVFs on polyethylene (PE), a widely found polymer in aquatic environments. Adsorption kinetics were analysed using pseudo-first-order (PFOM) and pseudo-second-order (PSOM) models, revealing a higher equilibrium sorption capacity for OC due to its stronger hydrophobic interactions with PE. A central composite design (CCD) was employed to enhance resources efficiency in experimentation and controlled experiments exposed the materials to both pure fresh water and synthetic seawater. The results indicate a higher adsorption affinity of OC on PE than BP3, attributed to its high octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow 6.88) and stronger hydrophobic interactions. Exposure time was the most influential variable across both media, while pH and temperature had a significant effect on BP3 adsorption in synthetic seawater. Hydrophobic partitioning, aided by van der Waals forces, was identified as the dominant interaction mechanism for both UVFs, with π-π and electrostatic interactions playing minimal roles due to the nature of the polymer. The study provides new insights into how polymer-pollutant interactions vary across environmental conditions and offers a novel voltammetric alternative for in-situ UVFs monitoring.

PMID:40381681 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126468

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 May 17;47(6):213. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02529-2.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) represent an increasingly significant source of pollution, with their ubiquitous presence not only contaminating soil but also influencing plant growth. To elucidate the effects of MPs on soil-plant systems, this study examined the impact of exposure to aged polystyrene (PS), polyethylene, and polylactic acid (PLA) MPs at varying concentrations (0.1%, 1%, 5%, and 10%) on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, lettuce growth, and oxidative stress conditions in a pot experiment. The results indicated that high concentrations (5% and 10%) of PLA increased soil urease activity by 18.27% and 23.57%, respectively, whereas PS reduced it by 12.02% and 27.15%, respectively, compared to the control. High concentrations (5% and 10%) of PLA reduced the fresh weight of lettuce leaves and roots by 58.38-61.08% and 49.20-51.68%, respectively. The addition of all three MPs increased the soluble sugar content in lettuce leaves by 34.10-65.30%. The presence of all three types of MPs significantly enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in lettuce leaves at concentrations of 0.1%, 1%, and 5%, with the greatest increase in SOD activity (26.06-31.34%) observed at the 5% concentration. Root CAT activity was elevated at low concentrations (0.1% and 1%), whereas 10% PLA significantly suppressed both CAT and SOD activities. Integrated biomarker response analysis showed that MPs induced oxidative stress in lettuce. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for evaluating the potential ecological risks posed by MPs to the soil-plant system.

PMID:40382502 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02529-2

Environ Res. 2025 May 15:121836. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121836. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a major global issue, with over 5 trillion plastic particles contaminating oceans and seas, posing significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. Recent studies have highlighted advanced oxidation processes as a promising technology to tackle this issue. Among these, heterogeneous photocatalysis has been identified as a particularly effective process. In this study, we fabricated ZnO-based photocatalysts, hydrothermally coated onto a glass fiber meshes with a thickness of approximately 16 μm. The ZnO nanorods exhibited an average length (l) of ∼3.2 μm and an average diameter (d) of ∼94 nm, resulting in a high length-to-diameter (l/d) ratio of 34 to enhance photocatalytic efficiency. The photocatalytic degradation of low-density polypropylene MPs (300 μm, 905 kg/m³) was tested using a 100 mL batch photoreactor in which 27 particles (∼26 mg) were suspended under natural solar irradiation for a total of 196 hours. The oxidation of microplastics was quantified by monitoring the carbonyl index (CI) over a period of 16 days. The results showed a remarkable increase in the CI reaching a value of 57, approximately five times higher than that observed in the natural degradation process without the presence of a photocatalyst, and higher than in almost all recent studies.

PMID:40381714 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121836

Environ Res. 2025 May 15:121875. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121875. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Long-term application of organic fertilizers serves as a nutrient source in agriculture, yet the contamination of these materials with small microplastics (sMPs, 20-500 μm) remains poorly understood. Research on the accumulation and morphological transformation of sMPs in soils under extended fertilization regimes is currently scarce. This study employed Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) Spectroscopy to quantify and characterize sMPs in soils subjected to four fertilization regimes: no fertilizer (CK), pig manure (M), nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer, and a combination of NPK and pig manure (MNPK). Temporal and spatial dynamics of sMPs were assessed across treatments with prolonged organic input. A progressive increase in both the abundance and type of sMPs was detected in pig manure, reaching 21,376 ± 1,008 items kg^-1 in 2023-an increase of 180% compared to 1979.The initial soil sMPs concentrations in 1979 were approximately 3,000 items kg^-1; after 44 years, levels in M and MNPK treatments reached 7,183 ± 568 items kg^-1 and 5,557 ± 329 items kg^-1, respectively. Soils receiving pig manure consistently exhibited higher sMPs concentrations than untreated controls. The relatively elevated levels of sMPs suggest in-situ degradation of larger MPs. Except in the CK treatment, sMPs abundance increased with soil depth. Across all fertilization types, particles within the 30-100 μm range comprised over 46% of total sMPs, indicating a consistent size distribution. The polymer types and composition in pig manure-amended soils mirrored those identified in the manure itself. These results demonstrate that long-term pig manure application markedly elevates soil sMPs concentrations, increasing the potential for sMPs contamination in agricultural systems.

PMID:40381716 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121875

Anal Chim Acta. 2025 Jul 15;1359:344123. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.344123. Epub 2025 Apr 27.

ABSTRACT

Respiratory infections are a leading cause of death and disability globally and have become an important issue of public concern. Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) has been recognized as the gold standard for respiratory infection diagnosis, and played a critical role in epidemic control during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the laborious nucleic acid extraction limits the application of NAAT in the on-site respiratory infection diagnosis, an effective approach for disease control and prevention. Herein, a polystyrene microplastic particle (PSMP)-thermal lysis system was established to extract nucleic acids from nasal mucus in 4 min simply and rapidly without sacrificing sensing performance. The PSMP-thermal lysis system showed a strong protein adsorption capacity, by which nearly eliminating the interference of protein content in nasal mucus on amplification reaction. Moreover, the PCR using this PSMP-thermal lysis system showed excellent selectivity and anti-jamming ability, as well as the high sensitivity comparable to that using commercial kits based on commonly used solid-phase extraction in detecting target pathogens in sticky nasal mucus with protein content of 25.11 μg/μL. Furthermore, the practical use investigation indicated the PCR assay using this system could accurately identify respiratory infection patients by detecting corresponding pathogens in clinical nasal mucus samples. This PSMP-thermal lysis system has the potential for pathogen detection in various respiratory secretions and is anticipated to substantially simplify molecular diagnosis of respiratory infections.

PMID:40382105 | DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2025.344123

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 May 16;197(6):658. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14110-6.

ABSTRACT

Suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs), as a critical component of environmental microplastic pollution, have garnered substantial scientific interest. The characterization of SAMPs in urban environments, as well as the potential risks on health, continues to be a topic of significant research interest. This study provides a comprehensive report on the presence of SAMPs in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin, China, based on samples collected during the autumn and winter of 2023-2024 using a medium-flow total suspended particulate (TSP) sampler at a monitoring station. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 1.8 items/m³ in autumn and from 0.1 to 1.1 items/m³ in winter, and a total mean of 0.6 ± 0.4 items/m³. Particle sizes spanned 12.28-3248.58 µm, with fibrous shapes dominating the morphological composition. Observed colors included black, blue, yellow, transparent, red, and green, with black microplastics being the most prevalent. These SAMPs were composed of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, rayon, polypropylene, and ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer. A risk assessment indicated that residents of Binhai New Area, Tianjin City, face a measurable health risk from microplastic exposure. Significant correlations were identified between SAMPs and dew point temperature as well as relative humidity in the autumn. In the winter, significant correlations were observed between the abundance of SAMPs and ground barometric pressure and wind velocity. Weak negative correlations were observed between SAMP abundances and the Air Quality Index (AQI) in both seasons Future research will utilize more advanced technologies and establish a global monitoring network to further explore the sources, distribution, and impacts of atmospheric microplastics.

PMID:40379872 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14110-6

NanoImpact. 2025 May 14;38:100566. doi: 10.1016/j.impact.2025.100566. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems readily promote biofilm formation, creating the plastisphere, a dynamic interface that interacts with environmental pollutants and acts as a reservoir for microorganisms. Recent studies emphasize the plastisphere's contribution to the spread of pathogens, antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within aquatic organisms and across diverse environments, a phenomenon collectively called the 'Plastiome'. Although the prevalence and effects of the plastisphere have been studied extensively, a systematic synthesis of updated insights into the behavior of the plastiome is urgently needed. This review explores the development and behavior of plastics, focusing on its interactions with ARGs and pathogens within aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics selectively enrich ARGs and pathogenic microorganisms, fostering unique microbial communities distinct from those in surrounding waters. The plastiome facilitates horizontal ARG propagation, increasing the quantity of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and presenting substantial risks to the hydrosphere and public health. Additionally, key research opportunities are identified and strategies are recommended to advance our understanding of plastiome-driven antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments.

PMID:40379249 | DOI:10.1016/j.impact.2025.100566

Environ Res. 2025 May 14:121820. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121820. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40378997 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121820

J Agric Food Chem. 2025 May 16. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c03682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as emerging soil contaminants. However, the potential risks of MPs to agroecosystems have not been fully revealed, especially the compound toxic effects of MPs with co-existing organic or inorganic pollutants (OPs/IPs) in agricultural fields. In this study, we quantified the contributions of different agronomic practices to the sources of MPs in soil and highlighted the important influences of long-term tillage and fertilization on the migration and aging of MPs in agricultural fields. In addition, the antagonistic and synergistic interactions between MPs and OPs/IPs in soil were explored. We emphasized that the degree of adsorption of MPs and soil particles to OPs/IPs is a key determinant of the co-toxicity of those contaminants in soil. Finally, several directions for future research are proposed, and these knowledge gaps provide an important basis for understanding the contamination process of MPs in agricultural soils.

PMID:40377166 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.5c03682

J Contam Hydrol. 2025 May 12;273:104603. doi: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104603. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Analyzing microplastic distribution patterns in freshwater ecosystems provides critical insights into pollution sources and accumulation zones, contributing to ecosystem health and functioning. Here, the surface water of Lake Mainit, an oligotrophic body of water in the Philippines, and the potential ingestion by Glossogobius giuris (15), a local fish species inhabiting the lake, were investigated. The surface water samples collected in ten sampling sites revealed an average microplastic concentration of 313.33 ± 252.11 particles/m³, with elevated levels in the northern part of the lake, likely due to adjacent industrial and agricultural activities. Fibers were the predominant microplastic morphology (58 %), with polyamide (28 %) as the most common polymer found in the surface water, suggesting primary sources from textiles and household waste. Size analysis showed that particles under 100 μm in size were most abundant, posing increased ingestion risks for aquatic organisms. All examined fish samples contained microplastics, averaging 0.7 particles per fish, primarily from the smallest particle class, indicating a potential risk of bioaccumulation. Risk assessment using the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated that polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyamide (PA) pose moderate to high pollution risks due to their persistence and toxicity potential. The PERI value for Lake Mainit was 34.63, classifying it as a minor risk. While current contamination levels are low, continued monitoring is essential to prevent future ecological risks. These results highlight the ecological threat of microplastics in Lake Mainit, with implications for biodiversity and human health, as the lake is an important local food source. To mitigate these risks, stricter pollution control, enhanced waste management, and public awareness initiatives are recommended. This study presents foundational data on microplastic pollution in an oligotrophic Philippine lake, emphasizing the need for further research to support protective management strategies.

PMID:40378652 | DOI:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104603

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2025 May 10;696:137852. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.137852. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Efficient oxidase-mediated oxidation is pivotal for environmental remediation and energy conversion application, yet natural enzymes require artificial alternatives due to inherent instability. Cofactors are essential in natural oxidase catalysis, interacting with the active centre to induce an electronic 'push effect' that propels the catalytic process. While efforts to mimic cofactors in nanozyme often involve sophisticated designs and complex synthesis. This study presents a scalable material engineering approach to mimic cofactor functionality using platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) supported on an ultrathin graphdiyne/graphene (GDY/G) composite (Pt/GDY/G), in which the sp-hybridized carbon (sp-C) in GDY induces a dual electronic 'push effect'. The unique sp-C structure in GDY imparts semiconductor characteristics and a low work function, this induces an interfacial electrostatic potential between GDY and Pt, which enables unidirectional electron transfer from GDY to Pt, thereby enhancing the electron density at Pt sites. Moreover, the sp-C sites in GDY act as oxygen (O₂) adsorption centres, forming a spCOO-Pt bridge that facilitates electron transfer from GDY to O₂. This sp-C induced dual electronic 'push effect' significantly reduces the energy barrier for OO bond cleavage, resulting in a 3.4-fold enhancement of the oxidase-like (OXD-like) activity of Pt/GDY/G compared to Pt NPs alone. This work provides mechanistic insights into the design of OXD-like nanozymes, offering a promising strategy to boost O₂ activation and OO bond cleavage. The superior catalytic performance of Pt/GDY/G highlights its potential for dye and microplastics degradation, contributing to sustainable environmental remediation.

PMID:40378447 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcis.2025.137852

Waste Manag. 2025 May 15;203:114889. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114889. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution is an increasing environmental concern, and further research into its sources is urgently needed. One potential pathway for microplastics to enter agricultural lands is the use of compost-based soil amendments or recycled organic fertilizer. While techniques exist to remove visible plastics from biowaste, microplastics present a hidden challenge. EU fertilizer regulations only account for particles ≥ 2 mm, excluding smaller ones. Research on plastics in biowaste management systems is limited. Our study investigated plastic fragmentation into microplastics and the role of microbial communities in plastic degradation. Samples were collected before sanitation, after tunnel composting, after outdoor maturation, and from a compost-based fertilizer, focusing on particles > 20 µm using Raman spectroscopy. Microbial community analysis was conducted using 16S rRNA sequencing and phospholipid fatty acid analysis. We observed a significant increase in microplastic particle counts and a decrease in size throughout composting. Mature compost contained an average of 944 ± 586 particles/g of dry weight (<0.25 mm), primarily polyethylene terephthalate, with plastics accounting for up to 0.25 % of dry weight. Only 7 ± 2 bigger plastic particles (>0.5 mm) were found from all samples. Subtle changes were observed in microbial communities during the composting process, predominantly among fungal communities, while Firmicutes remained the most abundant bacterial phylum in all samples. Our results suggest that plastics are fragmented into smaller particles during the industrial composting process and are not efficiently decomposed by microbes during the process.

PMID:40378693 | DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114889

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 9;494:138527. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138527. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

South Asian countries face a major threat concerning microplastics (MPs) contamination in food. This study explores the existing evidence of MPs in major foods of South Asian countries and links with available health risk indices through meta-analysis. Overall range of MPs in treated water, bottled water, fish, milk, salt, wheat, rice, and sugar were 0.75-35.33 particles L^-1, 0.07-500 particles L^-1, 0.006-361.6 particles g^-1, 11.1-295.5 particles L^-1, 0.01-350 particles g^-1, 4.57 particles g^-1, 0.303 particles g^-1 and 0.343 particles g^-1, respectively. Daily intake of MPs through food items was estimated with a range of 508-2280 particles person^-1 day^-1 depending on age group. Hazard score of MPs contaminated food indicates high to very high hazard scores in salt with an average PHI of 10,817.6 followed by fish (9012.9), milk (4900.4) and drinking water (3752.9) which are higher than the global values. High-risk polymers include Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyacrylamide, Styrene-Butadiene copolymer, Polyester, Polyurethane, and Polyamide. Average rate of microplastics ingestion ranged between 0.64 and 36.3 g person^-1 year^-1 with fish stand apex followed by bottled water, salt and milk. This study further investigates research gaps on MPs contamination in the foods of South Asian countries. Overall, the present study summarised the present level of MPs ingestion through different food sources in South Asian countries, highlighting the need for strong regulation to monitor level of MPs contamination in food.

PMID:40378741 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138527

J Environ Manage. 2025 May 15;386:125755. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125755. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic mitigation strategies that adapt to various actual aquatic environments require the ability to predict their microbial degradation potential. However, the sources and enrichment characteristics of the degrading bacteria in the plastisphere from river sediments, and their relationship with environmental conditions remain poorly understood. Here, SourceTracker analysis was adopted to investigate the sources and distribution characteristics of total PE/PP-degrading bacteria (TD) and local PE/PP-degrading bacteria (LD) in the plastisphere and surrounding sediments of the urban river. To better characterize the enrichment property of PE/PP-degrading bacteria in the plastisphere, two specific indices, the enrichment ratios of TD (ER_TD) and LD (ER_LD) separately, were first defined in this study. Furthermore, machine learning models were constructed to predict these enrichment ratios. The results showed that river sediments represented an important reservoir of PE/PP-degrading bacteria within the plastisphere (representing 81.8 %). Both the enrichment ratio of TD (R² = 0.720) and the enrichment ratio of LD (R² = 0.537) showed a significant positive correlation with the carbonyl index of PE/PP, indicating that the enrichment ratios can effectively reflect the microbial degradation potential of PE/PP in sediments. Compared to gradient boosting regression tree, multilayer perceptron, and support vector machines, the random forest (RF) model demonstrated superior accuracy in predicting both the enrichment ratio of TD (R²_Test = 0.954, MSE = 0.180) and the enrichment ratio of LD (R²_Test = 0.924, MSE = 0.009. It was also observed that the enrichment ratios were higher in river bends, indicating that river bends were potential hot zones for microbial degradation of PE/PP. SHAP analysis highlighted that the key environmental factors exhibited synergistic effects on both enrichment ratios of TD and LD. Finally, the concentration range of key environmental factors that maximize the enrichment ratio was determined. This study constitutes a powerful example of predicting microplastic microbial degradation potential across various scientific disciplines and provides a basis for the effective management of microplastics.

PMID:40378793 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125755

Anal Chim Acta. 2025 Jul 8;1358:344068. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.344068. Epub 2025 Apr 16.

ABSTRACT

Micro-nano plastics aging is crucial as it determines the environmental fate of each plastic particle, yet few studies involved in situ aging of nanoplastics. Herein, we utilized nanosphere lithography combined with goldnanorod assembly to prepare a moth-eye mimic plasmonic substrate featuring excellent SERS performance. The substrate was applied to in situ characterize the degradation process of PS nanoplastics during UV aging. Raman spectra evidence that the substrate is sensitive to superficial chemical changes of PS nanoplastics at initial stage during 24 h of continuous UV aging. The disruption of the benzene ring skeleton, the oxidation of the side chains of PS nanoplastics during UV aging, and the presence of oxidized methylene straight chains were identified. Practical applications in environmental sample revealed the chemical changes of PP, PS, and PE, which confirm the great potential of this SERS substrate for aging studies of nanoplastics.

PMID:40374254 | DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2025.344068

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 May 15;47(6):207. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02525-6.

ABSTRACT

Paint fragments have become a significant environmental pollutant in our era. These particles pose environmental and health risks, with microplastics (MPs) being a major component. This review critically examines the sources, occurrence, and ecological impacts of paint particles (PPs) on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Land-based paint fragments from disturbed or deteriorating coatings on roads and buildings are carried to the ocean along with MP items through urban runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition. In the ocean, paint fragments mainly originate from boating, shipping activities, and road markings. Beyond the direct effects on biota, biocides, and heavy metals from antifouling paint formulations can be released into the environment, impacting various organisms. Future research should focus on developing solutions to address the contamination of paint-related MPs in the environment. Efficient control of paint-originated MPs should encompass a blend of approaches, such as minimizing emissions via novel paint designs and deploying cutting-edge treatment technologies to intercept released particles.

PMID:40375036 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02525-6

Anal Chim Acta. 2025 Jul 8;1358:344068. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.344068. Epub 2025 Apr 16.

ABSTRACT

Micro-nano plastics aging is crucial as it determines the environmental fate of each plastic particle, yet few studies involved in situ aging of nanoplastics. Herein, we utilized nanosphere lithography combined with goldnanorod assembly to prepare a moth-eye mimic plasmonic substrate featuring excellent SERS performance. The substrate was applied to in situ characterize the degradation process of PS nanoplastics during UV aging. Raman spectra evidence that the substrate is sensitive to superficial chemical changes of PS nanoplastics at initial stage during 24 h of continuous UV aging. The disruption of the benzene ring skeleton, the oxidation of the side chains of PS nanoplastics during UV aging, and the presence of oxidized methylene straight chains were identified. Practical applications in environmental sample revealed the chemical changes of PP, PS, and PE, which confirm the great potential of this SERS substrate for aging studies of nanoplastics.

PMID:40374254 | DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2025.344068

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 May 14;298:118279. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118279. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to pollutants such as non-essential metals and microplastics can have harmful consequences for marine organisms. Detecting the impact of pollutants in wild populations can be especially challenging. Such environmental disturbances might prompt rapid responses in the affected organisms, generating changes in their gene expression mediated by epigenetic regulation. Here we use an epiRADseq approach to determine the effect of four non-essential metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) and microplastics (MP) on the methylation pattern of Benguela hake, Merluccius polli, captured in the FAO fishing area 34, along the coasts of Mauritania and Senegal. We analysed 49 hake specimens and generated 44,201 epigenetic loci. Despite moderate levels of pollution identified from tissue analysis, we found significant differentially methylated loci associated with the level of the five pollutants analysed (119 significant loci for As, 134 for Cd, 92 for Hg, 119 for Pb, and 159 for microplastics). Elevated Pb was significantly associated with a reduction in hake condition factor. Differentially methylated loci were associated with diverse pathways associated to responses for all pollutants (e.g. immune response, gene expression regulation), pointing to signs of stress within the population. It is worth noting that all pollutants were differentially methylated for a locus in NLRC3, previously associated with innate immune response in fishes. Overall, we found evidence of the effects of moderate concentration of pollutants in the methylation pattern in wild populations of M. polli.

PMID:40373707 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118279

Food Chem Toxicol. 2025 May 13:115455. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115455. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics have emerged as persistent organic pollutants, generating significant concerns regarding their potential toxicity. Nevertheless, the impact of microplastics (MPs) on atherosclerosis in mammals remains uncertain. The present study investigated the deleterious effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the cardiovascular system of mice. A total of thirty-six male ApoE^-/- mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups. The experimental groups were subjected to the exposure of 5 μm PS-MPs at concentrations of 1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml, respectively, for twelve weeks. In parallel, HUVECs were treated with the same concentrations of PS-MPs to assess cellular responses. Our results indicate that PS-MPs exposure increased mouse body weight, disrupted lipid metabolism, and exacerbated atherosclerosis. Additionally, both in vivo and in vitro studies indicate that PS-MPs can induce oxidative stress and promote EndMT through the BMP signaling pathway. These findings suggest that PS-MPs may trigcger atherosclerosis and cardiovascular toxicity by activating the BMP pathway and driving EndMT via oxidative stress. In summary, this study elucidates the cardiovascular deleterious effects induced by PS-MPs in mice, providing new insights into the toxicity of PS-MPs in mammalian organisms.

PMID:40374001 | DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2025.115455

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 13;376:126442. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126442. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics (MPs) on mulberry growth and soil-microbe interactions through controlled pot experiments (0.1 % and 1 % concentrations). PE exposure significantly increased mulberry height by 16 % (0.1 %) and 18 % (1 %) (p < 0.05), whereas PLA reduced total biomass by 12 % (0.1 %) and 66 % (1 %), highlighting polymer- and concentration-dependent responses. MPs differentially modulated soil biogeochemistry: PE decreased nitrate and ammonium nitrogen levels while enhancing nitrogen fixation (nifH) (from 0.9 × 10⁷ to 6.1 × 10⁷ copies/g) and denitrification (nirK) (from 1.0 × 10⁸ to 1.9 × 10⁸ copies/g) gene expression via Acidobacteriota enrichment, which was correlated with increased soil organic matter mobilisation and photosynthetic rates. PLA disrupted phosphorus cycling and destabilised structure of fungal communities critical for nutrient assimilation. Structural equation modelling identified direct microplastic-soil-plant linkages, with real-time polymerase chain reaction validating PE-driven suppression of nitrogen loss through microbial functional shifts. These findings illuminate the dual roles of microplastics as ecological stressors and modifiers, providing actionable insights for balancing agricultural productivity and soil health in MP-contaminated forest ecosystems.

PMID:40373852 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126442

Sci Total Environ. 2025 May 14;982:179573. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179573. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The transport of microplastics in the hyporheic zone remains poorly understood with few studies attempting to quantify microplastic hyporheic exchange processes. A laboratory scale erosimeter was utilized in combination with fluorometric techniques to experimentally quantify the dispersion of 3D pore-scale microplastics across the hyporheic zone. Rhodamine WT dye, Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were well-mixed within the riverbed and individually tested using solute transport theory for three sediment diameters and five bed shear velocities (u_∗) common in the natural environment. Effective dispersion coefficients for solutes significantly differed from that of PE and PMMA in most cases, where their critical sinking velocity within sediment pore water was observed and a method for predicting polymer dispersion was proposed. When u_∗ ≥ 0.0304 m/s, PMMA followed similar pathways to solutes and the effective dispersion scaling model was successfully implemented to predict its fate. PP near the riverbed interface ascended to the surface but was immobilized deeper in the riverbed, likely due to aggregation and flocculation processes. When polymer buoyancy became the dominant process, high concentrations of lighter than water microplastics ascended into the water column and high concentrations of denser than water microplastics descended through pore water, which is concerning for real-world groundwater systems. These findings provide valuable insights to guide future policy and mitigation strategies of microplastic contamination in fluvial systems by advancing our understanding of microplastic transport. Further data collection will enhance our ability to accurately quantify these transport processes and strengthen mitigation efforts, especially within high permeability sediments.

PMID:40373686 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179573

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 14;494:138574. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of microplastics (MPs) on phenanthrene (PHE) degradation during homogeneous advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), including Fenton, ozonation, and UV/H₂O₂ processes. In the absence of MPs, PHE was completely removed in all three AOPs. However, the presence of MPs reduced the PHE removal, dependent on the amount of PHE adsorbed on MPs. An increase in MPs loading heightened the inhibitory effect on PHE removal due to enhanced adsorption of PHE onto the surface of MPs; the oxidative removal of PHE during AOPs decreased linearly with the fraction of PHE adsorbed onto MPs. These inhibitory effects, caused by PHE adsorption onto PE-MPs, were largely independent of the water matrix. Kinetic modeling revealed the second-order rate constant for the reaction of PHE adsorbed onto polyethylene(PE)-MPs with •OH (3.5 × 10⁸ M^-1s^-1) to be more than an order of magnitude lower than that for PHE in bulk solution (9.9 × 10⁹ M^-1s^-1). Density functional theory calculations indicated that this inhibitory effect arises from the increased activation energy required for the reaction between MPs-adsorbed PHE and •OH. The chemical potential of the transition state for the reaction of PHE with •OH on the PE-MPs surface was estimated to be 39 % higher than that for the reaction in solution.

PMID:40373418 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138574

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 14;217:118133. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118133. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bioindicator species can help assess plastic pollution's impact on biodiversity by integrating spatial distribution and temporal trends, highlighting associated ecological risks. To investigate a potential indicator for pelagic neustonic environments, the holoplanktonic hydrozoan V. velella was collected in the Pelagos Sanctuary (SPAMI, NW Mediterranean Sea). A total of 460 individuals from 27 stations were collected alongside manta net trawls. Isolated organisms were digested through an alkaline solution and examined for the presence of microplastics (MPs). The correlation among the abundance of floating microplastics in the area, microplastic ingestion and levels of 11 Phthalate Acid Esters (PAEs) in V. velella have been investigated to provide a comprehensive assessment of the multiple stressors impacting this species. Over 200 MPs were isolated, with an occurrence of 93 % in the sampling stations (0.6 ± 0.7 items/individual). Polyester filamentous-shape particles (including fibres and filaments; 81 %) and polyamide, polyolefin and polystyrene fragments (17 %) were the predominant particle types. PAEs concentration averaged 313 ± 66 ng/g w.w. with Dibutyl-phthalate, Diisobutyl-phthalate, and Diethylhexyl-phthalate, listed as reprotoxic by EU regulation, comprising 95 % of total compounds. Despite no statistical correlation, a slightly positive trend between ingested plastic and total PAEs load was found shedding light on the potential direct release from particles. With its wide distribution, key trophic role, ability to capture smaller MPs fractions (<300 μm) and fibres and to accumulate the chemicals from the surrounding environment, V. velella emerges as a promising bioindicator of MPs pollution in the pelagic areas of the Mediterranean Sea and the other seas and oceans worldwide.

PMID:40373569 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118133

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 14;217:118132. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Littoral environments represent the main entry point for pollutants into the sea. Microplastics (MPs) are a growing concern, especially for the Mediterranean basin characterized by densely populated coasts and a semi-enclosed morphology. This article targets MPs associated with a unique coastal habitat - the largest bioconstruction in the Mediterranean (Torre Mileto, Southern Adriatic Sea) built by the reef-building polychaete Sabellaria spinulosa (anellida). We assessed MPs abundance in samples from both bioconstruction and surrounding sediments using stereomicroscopy with UV light and micro-Raman spectroscopy. MPs distribution was analyzed according to substrate (reef vs. sediment), longshore drift (west vs. east side), and reef morphology (hummock vs. platform). Results showed a significantly higher MPs abundance in samples from the western side of the site, potentially related to a longshore drift influence on pollutant distribution. By contrast, no significant differences in MPs abundances were observed in substrates (reefs vs. surrounding sediments) and in reef morphologies (hummock vs. platform), which suggest no direct control of reef-building activity in accumulating MPs. The passive accumulation of MPs, primarily driven by wave action, is likely the main factor explaining the MPs distribution. Micro-Raman Spectroscopy analysis revealed polyethylene terephthalate as the dominant polymer, and fibers as the most abundant morphology; prevalent MPs colors were colorless and black. Data provided here indicate that polychaete reefs temporarily trap MPs, retaining such pollutant in the littoral environment. The mechanism of MPs passive accumulation observed in this study raises questions about the growing risk for this bio-engineered benthic habitats.

PMID:40373574 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118132

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 15. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c01932. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The widespread use of plastic agricultural films necessitates a thorough evaluation of environmental risks posed by soil microplastics (MPs). While the intestinal tract is a critical site for MP interactions in soil organisms, current research predominantly focuses on overall physiological responses, overlooking organ-specific toxic mechanisms. To address this gap, we exposed earthworms (Eisenia fetida) to polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) MPs sourced from agricultural films at an environmentally realistic concentration of 1.0 g/kg. Incorporating natural earthworm mobility, we designed two exposure scenarios: migration from clean to contaminated soil (scenario A) and vice versa (scenario B). Machine learning-driven image analysis and phenotypic profiling revealed that PE induced more severe intestinal lesions than PLA, adversely affecting intestinal immune functions. Furthermore, PE resulted in greater oxidative damage and significantly activated immune proteins such as melanin and antimicrobial peptides through reprograming immune-related gene and protein pathways. Conversely, PLA predominantly disrupted intestinal digestive and absorptive functions, though the gut microbial community partially mitigated damage through structural and compositional adaptation. Compared with scenario A, earthworms in scenario B exhibited reduced tissue damage, enhanced digestive enzyme activity, and upregulated energy-related metabolites and cell proliferation genes, indicating partial recovery from MP-induced intestinal dysfunction. These findings elucidate the distinct toxicity mechanisms of conventional and biodegradable agricultural MPs on soil organisms, while the scenario-based approach advances risk assessment by aligning experimental design with real-world ecological behaviors.

PMID:40371808 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c01932

Glob Chang Biol. 2025 May;31(5):e70242. doi: 10.1111/gcb.70242.

ABSTRACT

Human activities increasingly disturb biodiversity and ecosystems far beyond their immediate areas. As human activities intensify on Earth's surface, these offsite disturbances threaten biodiversity at regional and global scales. Despite their significance, offsite ecological impacts remain poorly understood, often confused with related phenomena (e.g., edge effects) and excluded from evaluation frameworks. This study clarified the definition of offsite ecological impacts, examined their mechanisms (sources, paths, and drivers), and discussed their intensification under global change. We (1) clarify the offsite ecological impacts from other offsite phenomena, such as secondary, indirect, and competition impacts; (2) identify key drivers, including mining, urbanization, road networks, agriculture, and emerging technologies (e.g., renewable energy infrastructure), and explain how they contribute to offsite ecological impacts; (3) analyze the mechanisms by which disturbances spread, such as pollutants (e.g., heavy metals and microplastics) transported via air, soil, water, and biological or anthropogenic vectors; and (4) highlight challenges in identifying and mitigating offsite impacts, emphasizing how global environmental changes complicate predictions and hinder effective solutions. Addressing these challenges requires improved spatial monitoring, predictive modeling, and innovative conservation strategies. This framework advances the understanding of offsite ecological impacts in the Anthropocene, helping to balance human development with biodiversity conservation and supporting the UN Biodiversity Goals.

PMID:40371677 | DOI:10.1111/gcb.70242

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 May 15;114(5):81. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04046-5.

ABSTRACT

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) are a kind of widely distributed pollutant, while its bioremediation in situ and how it is affected by microplastics (MPs) in soil remains unknown. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the degradation capabilities of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) by a novel petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium TDYN1 with different concentrations of microplastics PP and PE. The TDYN1 significantly enhanced TPH degradation rate at 42.4 ± 0.9%, compared to 12.1 ± 2.6% in the control. The microplastics affected the TPH degradation depended on their amount, and no difference in degradation rates between PP and PE. The 1% PP and PE facilitated the degradation of TPH, while the 4% PP and PE inhibited it after strain added. Strain TDYN1 increased the dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase and urease enzyme activities, and the number of TDYN1. After remediation, the pakchoi yield was increased by strain addition, but was reduced by PE, indicating a risk of TPH and PE combined pollution for vegetable growing. It helps to better understand the microbial remediation on TPH-microplastic compound-contaminated soil, and provide theoretical support for its evaluation of application.

PMID:40372487 | DOI:10.1007/s00128-025-04046-5

Langmuir. 2025 May 15. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00772. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The problem of polymer waste has reached a level that requires immediate solution. Microplastics (MP), potentially toxic polymer particles of 5 mm or less in size, are an important part of this problem. In the article, two types of micro-sized polymer particles are described, mimicking behavior of real MP. The first are soft anionic 570 nm microgels with a developed surface, which reproduce the structure of "aged" MP. The second are 380 nm microspheres with a solid polymer core and a thin outer anionic layer, which are taken as a model of the "initial" MP. Both types of anionic species electrostatically adsorb cationic polymers, toxic compounds, widely used in water treatment/purification, food industry, and cosmetics. The adsorption is accompanied by neutralization of the particle charge and aggregation of the species at mutual neutralization of the particles and polycation charges. Polycations pass from their complexes with microgels to free microgels, which results in dissolution of the aggregates and formation of homogeneous solutions, but the same polycations are not desorbed from microspheres when free microspheres are added, and the aggregates are preserved. No redistribution/dissolution is observed in the microgel-polycation-microsphere ternary systems. This picture reflects the different behavior of the aged and initial real MP when they are in contact with toxic polymer compounds. A possible mechanism for this difference is discussed. The results of the study clarify the details of the MP interaction with the environment and the role of MP in the spread of toxic components.

PMID:40373164 | DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00772

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 May 15;114(5):82. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04059-0.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs), notably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP), are major pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. PVC and PP are the most used polymers for manufacturing plastic goods and therefore constitute bulk of plastic debris which are the major sources of MPs. This study examines the impact of PVC and PP MPs on soil total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and microbial exoenzyme activities. A 0.25% (w/w) MP addition significantly reduced soil TAC and the activities of amylase, invertase, and dehydrogenase over 72 h, while cellulase activity increased. The effects varied by MP type, with molecular docking revealing stronger MP binding affinities to exoenzymes for PP than PVC, particularly with cellulase. The findings indicate MPs reduce soil antioxidants and most exoenzyme activities, except for cellulase.

PMID:40372547 | DOI:10.1007/s00128-025-04059-0

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 May 15. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36457-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in bottled water is still largely unexplored in Croatia. This study fills this gap by analysing six water brands available on the Croatian market, all bottled in either virgin or recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In order to analyse microplastics down to a size of 1 µm, the water from the purchased bottles was filtered with silicon filters with a pore size of 1 µm and then micro-Raman spectroscopy was performed. A significant reduction in analysis time was achieved by using a randomly selected filter area of 12.05 mm² instead of the conventional 100 mm². The results showed that polyethylene (PE), PET, and polyamide (PA) were found in all six brands and the blank. The highest detection frequency was found for PE (N = 19), followed by PET (N = 17) and PA (N = 14). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was found only in one brand, but in all three subsamples, packaged in recycled PET. By far the highest detection frequency of MPs occurred in the smallest fraction at a length < 5 µm. The highest number of MPs was for PET with 45% of the total amount, followed by PE (37%). Although MPs were identified in the blank water sample, the number was 12% of the total. Interestingly, the bottled water in virgin PET containers had more MPs than that in recycled PET. It should be noted that the purification system used to produce ultrapure water produced MPs, which poses an additional analytical challenge. The results should be considered as a snapshot and further monitoring is necessary to assess the extent of MP contamination of drinking water and to characterise the types of polymers and sources of the MPs. The current findings raise concerns about the presence of MPs in bottled water and warrant a thorough risk assessment to evaluate potential long-term health effects on humans.

PMID:40372691 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-36457-6

Annu Rev Anal Chem (Palo Alto Calif). 2025 May;18(1):73-95. doi: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-071224-093709.

ABSTRACT

Sample treatment plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate analysis of contaminants in aqueous, gaseous, and solid matrices. Emerging contaminants such as microplastics and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances pose challenges due to their ubiquity and potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. By setting stringent guidelines, environmental protection agencies drive research and innovation in analytical methodologies. However, current reference methods are based on traditional techniques with a high use of chemicals and considerable waste generation. This review highlights the importance of advanced techniques, including solid-phase extraction and microextraction methods, enhanced by novel materials, for preparing environmental samples. Additionally, it discusses innovative formats and devices, such as drone-based systems and three-dimensional-printed devices, which are expanding the scope of environmental monitoring. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of trends and advances in sample preparation for environmental analysis over the past five years, offering insights into progress made and future directions.

PMID:40372816 | DOI:10.1146/annurev-anchem-071224-093709

Mar Environ Res. 2025 May 9;209:107208. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107208. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) trapping and storage by seagrasses and sediments highlight their role as potential long-term reservoirs for plastic particles. This study evaluated the presence of MPs in Halophila decipiens meadows and its associated sediments in two localities, Pichilingue and Los Aripes, in the southwest Gulf of California. At each locality, 12 samples were collected along two 30-m transects: six from vegetated and six from unvegetated sites. At Pichilingue, 93 items were found on H. decipiens, with a maximum of 46 items on roots, with films and fibers being the main MP forms and black the most frequent color. For sediments, an average of 231 ± 145 items kg^-1 DW was estimated; the vegetated site showed 406 ± 184 items kg^-1 DW, with black films (1016 items) as the most abundant items, while the unvegetated site showed 56 ± 11 items kg^-1 DW, with transparent fragments (25 items) as the dominant items. The main MP type was polyethylene (38 items). At Los Aripes, MPs were not found on any structure of H. decipiens; but in sediments, the average was 17 ± 7 items kg^-1 DW, with 13 ± 3 items kg^-1 DW in the vegetated site and black and blue fibers (seven items each) as the dominant items, and 21 ± 10 items kg^-1 DW in the unvegetated site and blue fibers (16 items) as the dominant items. The main MP type was polyethylene terephthalate. This research provides insight into the capacity of sediments and H. decipiens structures (leaves, petioles, rhizomes, and roots) to retain MPs derived from local human activities and the effect of environmental factors.

PMID:40373643 | DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107208

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 12;376:126430. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are persistent contaminants across all environmental matrices. However, there is a paucity of studies conducted in semi-arid aquatic environments. The present study investigated the seasonal variations in the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in water samples of Man Sagar Lake in northwestern India. The findings revealed that the average abundance of microplastics in samples was notably lower during the pre-monsoon season (42.93 ± 29.72 particles/L) compared to the post-monsoon season (70.54 ± 36.53 particles/L). A significant difference in microplastic abundance across different sampling locations was observed between the two seasons (F = 7.82, p < 0.0001). The majority of microplastics present in the samples during both seasons measured less than 500 μm in size, with fragments and fibers being the predominant shapes, and transparent being the most common-colored microplastic. The most abundant polymers detected were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Microplastic contamination factor (MCf) and Pollution Load Index (PLI >1) indicated a moderate to high level of microplastic contamination across all the sampling locations in both seasons. Furthermore, the potential ecological risk index (PERI) indicated that nearly 70 % of the lake area falls under the category of very high ecological risk in both seasons. Additionally, Spearman's correlation and PCA were employed to assess the interactions of microplastics with water quality parameters and potential source identification, respectively. The study's findings could help in developing region-specific remediation and prevention strategies by identifying high-risk areas and potential sources contributing to microplastic contamination.

PMID:40368012 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126430

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 12;376:126441. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126441. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The extended persistence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic habitats can result in the uptake and accumulation of various pollutants, thereby creating a serious risk to the ecosystem. The research explored how various weathering environments affect the physicochemical traits of polylactic acid (PLA) MPs and their capacity to adsorb common hydrophilic organic contaminants, such as benzoic acid (BA), sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), and sulfamethazine (SMR). The results showed that the ability to adsorb was affected by pH and was dependent on the pH_PZC of PLA as well as the pK_a values of the contaminants. Calculated DFT results were consistent with the actual adsorption capacity of PLA (SMX > BA > SMR). The main adsorption mechanisms included hydrophobic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction, with hydrophobicity predominating. Additionally, charge-assisted hydrogen bond (CAHB) and partition effect enhanced adsorption under specific conditions. Compared to virgin PLA, the adsorption capacity of aged PLA for hydrophilic organic pollutants generally improved, with APLA showing the most increase. The impact of oxygen concentration, surface area, and crystallinity on the adsorption ability of MPs was minimal, whereas surface charge became the primary physicochemical factor influencing the adsorption performance of aged PLA. This study would provide important theoretical references and data to deepen the understanding of the environmental behavior of PLA and its potential environmental risks.

PMID:40368017 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126441

Environ Res. 2025 May 12:121838. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121838. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in environments and the food web is a serious concern for both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Most studies have used single tool to assess risks primarily to organisms and humans, leaving gaps in comprehensive risk assessments. This study conducted an investigation of MP abundances in surface water and wild oysters from natural estuaries of major rivers in Taiwan. Additionally, the data also used to develop an integrated risk-based framework for evaluating potential risks from organisms to human MP exposure to seafood consumption. We assessed aquatic ecological risk quotients (RQ), oyster mortality exceedance risk (ER), human MP intake exposure, and human liver damage ER. Our data showed that MP abundances ranged from 0.025-4.701 items/m³ and 0.015-2.374 items/g (wet weight) in water and oysters, respectively. Although RQ values indicate negligible risk for aquatic ecosystems, but oyster mortality ER results from oysters exposed to MPs showed a 6% increase in mortality (10% risk). The probabilistic representation of risk curves of MPs for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in human serum was found to be low, indicating minimal health risk to humans. Overall, our data suggest that relying on a single risk indicator may underestimate potential risks, multi-faceted tools are recommended for assessing organism and human health.

PMID:40368039 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121838

Bioresour Technol. 2025 May 12;432:132672. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132672. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The storage of mature algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) offers a sustainable solution for its large-scale wastewater applications. This study investigates the post-effects of co-existing polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene microplastics (MPs) on the reactivation of frozen ABGS, focusing on structural integrity, nutrient removal, and microbial dynamics. Results demonstrated that moderate MPs stress (12 mg/L) enhanced granular compactness, achieving superior nitrogen and phosphorus removal. However, elevated MPs (120 mg/L) deteriorated the systematic stability leading to declined structural integrity and settling capability through suppression of tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances and quenching of protein-like EPS components. Notably, photosynthetic pigments surged by 122 % under moderate MPs, but plummeted at high MPs correlating with suppressed metabolic activity. Microbial profiling linked enhanced nitrogen/phosphorus removal to enriched Nitrospirota and Candidatus Competibacter, while high MPs disrupt the functional consortia. This work pioneers MPs thresholds for ABGS preservation and provides insights for optimizing reactivation in MPs-contaminated environments.

PMID:40368314 | DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132672

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 May 14. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c06238. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microencapsulation technology can be used for safe handling and controlled release of agrochemicals. Commercial microencapsulated formulations typically use cross-linked polymeric microcapsules, which encapsulate agrochemicals for improved efficiency and precise application. However, these polymeric microcapsules are nonbiodegradable and add to the growing microplastic pollution challenge at the end of their life cycle. Herein, we demonstrate a simple one-pot process for the interfacial self-assembly of aromatic bis-urea molecules to synthesize microplastic-free microcapsules encapsulating cinmethylin, an effective cineolic pre-emergence herbicide commonly used against grass weeds in annual crops. The urea linkages act as hydrogen-bonding motifs forming a self-assembled supramolecular shell at the oil-water interface. The shell material's chemical composition was analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, ¹H-NMR, and mass spectrometry. Four batches of well-dispersed microcapsules (diameter, 1-10 μm) with encapsulation efficiency >99% and varying payload were synthesized. Accelerated thermal release tests proved that encapsulation reduced the cinmethylin evaporation by up to 90%, over nonencapsulated cinmethylin, and crucially, the release profiles of the bis-urea microcapsules were comparable to conventional polyurea microcapsules prepared industrially. The release rate of cinmethylin increased with payload, indicating that barrier properties of bis-urea microcapsules are tunable, making them adaptable for encapsulating a variety active ingredients. Additionally, all the four batches of bis-urea microcapsules were mechanically stronger than the polyurea microcapsules. Synthesized using a straightforward process requiring no modifications to existing industrial equipment, these bis-urea microcapsules have great potential to replace commercial nonbiodegradable microplastic microcapsules.

PMID:40368840 | DOI:10.1021/acsami.5c06238

Sci Rep. 2025 May 14;15(1):16769. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96811-z.

ABSTRACT

Plastic has become an essential part of daily human activity. Nonetheless, its over-utilization has resulted in environmental accumulation, leading to marine contamination. Biodegradation is the most effective approach for managing synthetic plastic waste. It encompasses various biological processes that depolymerize polymeric compounds into oligomers or monomers that can enter the biogeochemical cycle. Although research on microplastic biodegradation is abundant and increasing, studies on the biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by marine microorganisms remain scarce and underexplored. In the present study, a total of 17 bacterial isolates were isolated from plastic-contaminated sites in Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria, Egypt. Two bacterial strains demonstrated the highest LDPE biodegradation potential and were identified using 16 S rRNA sequencing, exhibiting 100% and 99.87% sequence identity to Gordonia alkanivorans. Biodegradation of LDPE was confirmed through dry weight loss, with G. alkanivorans strains PSW1 and PBM1 achieving reductions of 0.88 ± 0.658% and 0.66 ± 0.508%, respectively. Biodegradation was further confirmed through the formation of cracks and cavities observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Infrared analysis indicated significant changes in LDPE functional groups and a decrease in the carbonyl index. Biodegradation of LDPE films was also demonstrated through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) via the release of metabolites, correlating with LDPE utilization. The findings highlight the ability of marine bacteria G. alkanivorans strains PSW1 and PBM1 to biodegrade LDPE.

PMID:40369226 | PMC:PMC12078612 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96811-z

Vet Med Sci. 2025 May;11(3):e70393. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70393.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are pervasive pollutants impacting animals across ecosystems, including livestock and wildlife, through contaminated food, water, and air. MPs may disrupt endocrine function, particularly affecting the thyroid gland, which is essential for metabolism and development.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the effects of PS-MPs on thyroid function in mice, offering insights relevant to veterinary care by examining changes in gene expression and biochemical markers.

METHODS: PS-MPs of 5 µm diameter were prepared in distilled water after probe sonication. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two treatment groups receiving 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg PS-MPs via oral gavage for 28 days. Mice were anesthetised, and thyroid tissues were collected for histopathological, biochemical, and gene expression analyses. Biochemical tests included catalase, superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and hormone levels. Histopathology and gene expression (TSHR and TPO) of thyroid-related genes were examined to assess PS-MPs induced effects.

RESULTS: Exposure to PS-MPs in mice led to significant increases in calcium, thyroxin, free T3, free T4, ALP, AST, ALT, and amylase levels, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers. Conversely, the levels of TSH, calcitonin, magnesium and phosphate decreased. Histopathological analysis showed abnormal thyroid follicle development, decrease parafollicular cells, with colloid loss, haemorrhage, and necrosis. Gene expression analysis revealed a marked reduction in TSHR and TPO levels in PS-MPs treated groups, indicating thyroid dysfunction. These findings highlight the profound impact of PS-MPs on thyroid gland function in mice.

CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential risks that PS-MPs pose to thyroid health, with potential consequences for other veterinary species. As environmental contamination rises, veterinarians may encounter more endocrine disorders linked to PS-MPs, emphasising the need for further research and preventive measures.

PMID:40367361 | PMC:PMC12077756 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.70393

Vet Med Sci. 2025 May;11(3):e70393. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70393.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are pervasive pollutants impacting animals across ecosystems, including livestock and wildlife, through contaminated food, water, and air. MPs may disrupt endocrine function, particularly affecting the thyroid gland, which is essential for metabolism and development.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the effects of PS-MPs on thyroid function in mice, offering insights relevant to veterinary care by examining changes in gene expression and biochemical markers.

METHODS: PS-MPs of 5 µm diameter were prepared in distilled water after probe sonication. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two treatment groups receiving 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg PS-MPs via oral gavage for 28 days. Mice were anesthetised, and thyroid tissues were collected for histopathological, biochemical, and gene expression analyses. Biochemical tests included catalase, superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and hormone levels. Histopathology and gene expression (TSHR and TPO) of thyroid-related genes were examined to assess PS-MPs induced effects.

RESULTS: Exposure to PS-MPs in mice led to significant increases in calcium, thyroxin, free T3, free T4, ALP, AST, ALT, and amylase levels, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers. Conversely, the levels of TSH, calcitonin, magnesium and phosphate decreased. Histopathological analysis showed abnormal thyroid follicle development, decrease parafollicular cells, with colloid loss, haemorrhage, and necrosis. Gene expression analysis revealed a marked reduction in TSHR and TPO levels in PS-MPs treated groups, indicating thyroid dysfunction. These findings highlight the profound impact of PS-MPs on thyroid gland function in mice.

CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential risks that PS-MPs pose to thyroid health, with potential consequences for other veterinary species. As environmental contamination rises, veterinarians may encounter more endocrine disorders linked to PS-MPs, emphasising the need for further research and preventive measures.

PMID:40367361 | PMC:PMC12077756 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.70393

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 May 13;217:118074. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118074. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution is an escalating environmental concern, particularly in densely populated estuary regions, where it poses significant threats to aquatic life and human health. The dispersion patterns of microplastic particles along estuaries are influenced and complicated by multiple environmental factors such as river flow, tidal mixing, salt intrusion, and estuarine circulation. This study examines the accumulation and dispersion patterns by modeling three typical classes of microplastics in the Delaware River Estuary: synthetic fibers, sinking plastic films, and rising plastic pellets. Our findings reveal specific areas with high microplastic accumulation for each type. Notably, the upper estuary regions exhibit significant retention of rising microplastics, associated with a region with reduced along-thalweg velocities downstream of Trenton, NJ and upstream of Philadelphia, PA. Conversely, synthetic fibers and sinking plastic films accumulate in the flow convergence zone near the bottom salinity front, typically downstream of Philadelphia. All of the microplastic accumulation hot spot locations are controlled by the balance of river discharge and salinity intrusions. During the dry season, microplastic accumulation hot spots shift upstream in the estuary, whereas in the wet season, the strong river discharge pushes them downstream. On the other hand, tidal mixing, settling, and resuspension processes strongly impact the spreading of microplastics along the river.

PMID:40367884 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118074

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 5;494:138493. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138493. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The main objective was to assess the contamination of road dust (RD) with microplastics (MPs) and plasticizers and to investigate whether magnetic susceptibility (χ) can indicate MP pollution. The study employed laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging with a quantum cascade laser (QCL), magnetic susceptibility measurement using the MFK1-FA Kappabridge, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RD collected in Warsaw was divided into the fractions: 0.8 mm (1-0.8 mm), 0.6 mm (0.8-0.6 mm), 0.4 mm (0.6-0.4 mm), 0.2 mm (0.4-0.2 mm), and <0.2 mm. MP analysis revealed materials such as polypropylene and rubber, with the highest number of MPs (51,660 particles) in the <0.2 mm. RD was analyzed for bisphenol A and phthalic acid esters, with the highest concentrations of DEHP and DBP in the <0.2 mm fraction. χ were highest in the fraction <0.2. Strong correlations were found between χ and DEHP (0.78), DBP (0.96), and BPA (0.89) for WAW2 and between χ and MPs (0.97) for WAW4. Strong correlations were also observed for the 0.2 mm and <0.2 mm fractions between χ and DBP. The main conclusion is that χ strongly correlates with DEHP and DBP in the <0.2 mm fraction and with MPs in the 0.2 mm fraction. This study is novel due to the limited research on using χ as a screening method for MP pollution, making it a promising, cost-effective tool for pollution monitoring. The results could support the development of simplified monitoring tools, helping to assess human exposure risks and improve environmental management strategies.

PMID:40367771 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138493

Foods. 2025 Apr 23;14(9):1461. doi: 10.3390/foods14091461.

ABSTRACT

Seafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the safety of seafood is compromised by multiple hazards that can pose significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to microbial metabolites, are prominent causes of the foodborne diseases linked to seafood consumption, necessitating reliable detection and monitoring systems. Molecular biology and digital techniques have emerged as essential tools for the rapid and accurate identification of these foodborne pathogens, enhancing seafood safety protocols. Additionally, the presence of chemical contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood is of increasing concern due to their potential to accumulate in the food chain and adversely affect human health. The biogenic amines formed during the microbial degradation of the proteins and allergens present in certain seafood species also contribute to food safety challenges. This review aims to address the nutritional value and health-promoting effects of seafood while exploring the multifaceted risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Emphasis is placed on enhanced surveillance, seafood traceability, sustainable aquaculture practices, and regulatory harmonization as effective strategies for controlling the risks associated with seafood consumption and thereby contributing to a safer seafood supply chain.

PMID:40361542 | PMC:PMC12071223 | DOI:10.3390/foods14091461

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 May 13;298:118330. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118330. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite the widespread presence of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET MPs) in the environment, their biotoxicity, target organs, and underlying toxicological mechanism remain poorly understood. In this study, irregularly shaped PET MPs resembling those commonly found in natural environment were selected. Mice were orally administered different amounts of PET MPs (0, 5, 50, and 500 μg/day) for 17 weeks, after which relevant pathological and biochemical indicators were assessed. The results confirmed, for the first time, that PET MPs can induce oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, and apoptosis in liver cells, resulting in structural damage and functional abnormalities in the liver. Additionally, metabolomic analysis was combined with intestinal microbiota profiling to elucidate the potential toxicological mechanism. The data revealed that chronic exposure to high doses of PET MPs substantially altered the diversity of the intestinal flora. In particular, the relative abundances of Parasutterella, Muribaculum, and Turicibacter increased, accompanied by elevated levels of lipid metabolites such as linoleic acid, taurocholic acid, and sphingosine. These changes disrupted metabolic processes and accelerated lipid deposition in the mouse liver, thereby inducing hepatotoxicity. Moreover, a validation experiment confirmed that depletion of the gut microbiota in mice alleviated PET MPs-induced hepatotoxicity. These findings provide new insights into the toxicity of PET MPs in humans and other mammals.

PMID:40367616 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118330

Oecologia. 2025 May 14;207(6):81. doi: 10.1007/s00442-025-05723-2.

ABSTRACT

Natural and synthetic particles co-occur in the aquatic environment. However, little information is available about the effects of natural particles on freshwater animals and how these effects differ from those of synthetic particles, especially under the scenarios of decreasing dietary quality and increasing cyanobacteria in the aquatic environment. Therefore, this study evaluated apical and molecular effects of polypropylene (PP) microplastics (MPs) and three natural non-food particles (i.e., kaolin, peat, and sediment) on the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia magna fed either a green alga or a mixture of green alga and cyanobacterium. After the 21-d chronic exposure of 10 mg/L PP when using the green alga Acutodesmus sp. as diet, the size of D. magna was significantly reduced, and the molting time was significantly extended compared with the control. However, the chronic effects of PP were masked when the cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. was added to their diet. The natural particles kaolin, peat, and sediment posed insignificant effects on D. magna regardless of dietary quality. The expression of molting-related genes (e.g., ecr-a) and oxidative stress-related genes (e.g., sod2) was significantly upregulated in D. magna with the exposure of both natural and synthetic particles. The predicted no-effect concentration of PP was derived as 0.025 mg/L, raising concerns relating to their toxicity and risks in the contaminated aquatic environment. This study will improve our understanding of the effects and risks of natural and synthetic particles in freshwater environments, as well as facilitate ecoenvironmental authorities to make informed decisions on the appropriate management of MPs.

PMID:40369333 | DOI:10.1007/s00442-025-05723-2

Glob Chang Biol. 2025 May;31(5):e70226. doi: 10.1111/gcb.70226.

ABSTRACT

The pollution caused by microplastics (MPs) is a global environmental and health concern. These plastic particles disrupt food chains and pose health risks to organisms, including humans. From a total of 827 studies, synthetic textiles (35%) and tires (28%) are the primary sources of MPs, with fibers being the most common shape (60%). MPs were detected in feces (44% of studies), lungs (35%), and blood (17%), indicating widespread contamination and potential health impacts. Bioremediation is a promising and sustainable method for mitigating MP pollution, as it uses microorganisms and plants to break down or convert MPs into less hazardous substances. However, it is important to understand and address the potential unintended consequences of bioremediation methods on the environment and human health. This scoping literature review examines the efficiency of currently emerging approaches for microplastic bioremediation, their strengths and weaknesses, and their potential impacts on the environment and human health. Highly effective methods such as mycoremediation, soil microbes for enhanced biodegradation, and phytoextraction were identified, but they pose high toxicity risks. Moderately effective methods include plant-assisted remediation, rhizosphere degradation, phytodegradation, and biodegradation, with effectiveness rates between 50% and 65% and moderate toxicity risks.

PMID:40365679 | DOI:10.1111/gcb.70226

Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Apr 27;26(9):4136. doi: 10.3390/ijms26094136.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been an increase in the emission of tire wear particle (TWP) microplastics from wastewater treatment plants into the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of TWPs in wastewater flowing into a biological reactor on the transcription of the 16S rRNA gene and the key genes responsible for nitrogen metabolism, amoA, nirK and nosZ, in aerobic granular sludge. The laboratory experiment was carried out in sequencing aerobic granular sludge reactors operated in an 8 h cycle into which TWP microplastics were introduced with municipal wastewater at a dose of 50-500 mg TWPs/L. The ammonia removal rate and the production of oxidized forms of nitrogen increased with the TWP dose. Gene transcript abundance analysis showed that the presence of rubber and substances leached from it promoted the activity of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (160% increase), while the transcription of genes related to denitrification conversions was negatively affected. The activity of nitrite reductase gradually decreased with increasing TWP concentration in wastewater (decreased by 33% at 500 mg TWPs/L), while nitric oxide reductase activity was significantly inhibited even at the lowest TWP dose (decreased by 58% at 500 mg TWPs/L). The data obtained indicate that further studies are needed on the mechanisms of the effects of TWPs on the activities of the most important groups of microorganisms in wastewater treatment to minimize the negative effects of TWPs on biological wastewater treatment.

PMID:40362378 | PMC:PMC12071320 | DOI:10.3390/ijms26094136

J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 7;494:138532. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138532. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study explored how microplastics impact soil respiration processes in forests of varying ages by modulating the structure of microbial communities and carbon metabolic functions. The findings indicated that the abundance of microplastics in different aged forests was approximately 600-3858 items∙kg^-1. The 10-year-old Pinus massoniana forest exhibited the lowest, and the 60-year-old forest had the highest microplastic abundance. The microplastics mainly consisted of fibers (26.57-38.38 %), particles sized 0-0.1 μm (40.28-70.19 %), and black particles (6.92-43.46 %). The soil respiration rate decreases with increasing forest age. However, the microplastics indirectly modified soil respiration by influencing total organic carbon (TOC) and soil pH. The functional prediction analysis showed that metabolic pathways such as formaldehyde assimilation, ribulose monophosphate pathway, and the hydroxypropionate-hydroxybutylate cycle, were significantly correlated with microplastic abundance. Structural equation model (SEM) results suggested that microplastics affected microbial carbon metabolic demands by altering microbial community structure (0.44) or directly influencing carbon metabolic pathways (0.68). Consequently, this impacts soil CO₂ emissions. The findings provide new insights into the critical role of forest soils in mitigating carbon emissions caused by microplastics.

PMID:40359748 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138532

Environ Pollut. 2025 May 11;377:126426. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126426. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses serious ecological and human health risks, necessitating advanced detection methods to support targeted remediation efforts. Hyperspectral remote sensing was hypothesized to offer a promising solution, utilizing Near-Infrared (NIR) and Short-wave Infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy for identifying and differentiating materials, including plastics, in the environment. In this study, a total of 228 unique substrate-plastic-concentration combinations containing polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) at varying concentrations (0 %, 0.15 %, 0.5 %, 1.5 %, 5 %, 15 %, 50 %, 100 %) were mixed with different substrates (soils, concrete, vegetation, and water). The mixtures were analyzed with NIR spectroscopy, and 8240 raw spectra were preprocessed to remove instrumental and path distortions. Results showed that detection sensitivity varied by substrate, with the polypropylene (PP) index being identified as the most sensitive to the presence of all plastics in the present study. Principal Component Analysis further revealed the association of increasing plastic concentration with key wavelengths, which were used to develop band equations for detecting each plastic via hyperspectral image analysis. These band equations were validated with hyperspectral imagery from AVIRIS-NextGen to map plastic pollution at a landfill site in Houston, Texas, USA, a plastic sink that would reasonably contain plastic pollution. This investigation demonstrates the potential of hyperspectral imaging for mapping terrestrial plastic and microplastic pollution, offering a scalable tool for MP monitoring to support remediation strategies.

PMID:40360078 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126426

Sci Rep. 2025 May 13;15(1):16568. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00674-3.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40360579 | PMC:PMC12075654 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-00674-3

Sci Rep. 2025 May 13;15(1):16631. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-01608-9.

ABSTRACT

Microscopic anthropogenic waste (MAW) has become a major environmental concern worldwide. Our study aimed to assess the accumulation of MAW in the gastrointestinal tracts of nine common European passerine species from finch (Fringillidae) and tit (Paridae) families, and evaluate their suitability for environmental monitoring. We searched for MAW in the birds' stomachs and intestines and identified suspected particles using Raman microspectroscopy. In total, we found 57 MAW particles in 31 out of 149 analyzed individuals, 7 of which were microplastics (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene), 1 was identified as carbon nanotube, while 49 were cellulosic-based (cotton, cellulose, rayon, viscose). The generalized linear mixed models identified bird family and time in season as significant predictors of MAW ingestion. Finches ingested more MAW than tits, and higher ingestion rates were observed during the non-breeding period. Other predictors, including bird sex, age, gastrointestinal tract section, and site, showed varying but non-significant effects. As predicted, the studied species exhibited a lower ingestion rate of MAW compared to terrestrial birds studied so far, possibly due to their diet and feeding behavior. Given that these species are prey for many avian and non-avian predators, they may contribute to the transfer of MAW to higher trophic levels.

PMID:40360584 | PMC:PMC12075826 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-01608-9

BMC Public Health. 2025 May 13;25(1):1762. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23019-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Microplastic (MP) contamination has emerged as a critical global concern. The most effective approach to mitigating this issue involves substantially minimizing the release of plastic waste into the environment. While addressing such an extensive environmental challenge is inherently complex, public education remains a vital component of any comprehensive solution. In this context, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention delivered through a mobile phone application in enhancing women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the health-related impacts of MPs.

METHODS: This two-arm, parallel-design randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from September 2024 to November 2024 with 136 women aged 18 years and older who owned smartphones, had basic literacy skills, and provided informed consent. Participants were recruited through an online call disseminated via social media platforms and health system networks in Iran. They were randomly assigned via block randomization to an intervention group (n = 68) that received the educational program through the app or a control group (n = 68). The sample size was calculated via G*Power software to ensure sufficient power (80%), with an alpha level of 0.05, resulting in a 15% dropout rate. Primary outcome data (Microplastic Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (MIKAP) questionnaire scores were collected at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 8 weeks postintervention via self-report questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential tests, such as independent t tests and paired t tests, to assess group differences and within-group changes over time.

RESULTS: Demographic homogeneity was confirmed between the intervention and control groups (P > 0.05 for all baseline variables). The app-based educational intervention significantly improved knowledge scores in the intervention group at posttest 1 (Immediately follow-up; P < 0.001) and posttest 2 (8 weeks later follow-up; P < 0.001), whereas the control group presented declining knowledge (P = 0.009). The attitude scores did not significantly improve in the intervention group (P = 0.155) but significantly decreased in the control group (P = 0.008). Practice scores increased markedly in the intervention group postintervention (P < 0.001), with sustained gains at follow-up, whereas controls showed no significant changes (P = 0.105). Mann‒Whitney tests confirmed significant between-group differences in all outcomes postintervention (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The mobile app-based educational intervention effectively enhanced women's knowledge and practices regarding microplastics and health. These findings highlight the potential of digital tools in addressing environmental health challenges through targeted public education.

TRIAL STATUS: Protocol Version 1, 2024-07-12. The enrollment of participants began on 2024-09-22. Recruitment is estimated to be completed by 2024-11‒21.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Clinical Trial Register (IRCT20240529061941N1). URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/user/trial/77069/view .

PMID:40361005 | PMC:PMC12070638 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23019-1

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 20;59(19):9471-9485. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c01254. Epub 2025 May 11.

ABSTRACT

Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging pollutants worldwide. Particularly worrisome is that although studies have reported that NPs can amplify the biotoxicity of environmental pollutants, the specific mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that NPs, even without significant toxicity (cell survival: 99.11%), amplified the hepatocyte toxicity of Cd²⁺. Mechanistically, higher Cd²⁺ uptake (Δ = 23.80%) combined with crucial intracellular desorption behavior of Cd²⁺ loaded in NPs (desorption rate: 82.70%) were identified as prerequisites for NPs amplifying Cd²⁺ cytotoxicity. As for toxigenic pathways, the inflammatory response and calcium (Ca) signaling pathway were identified as the primary molecular events leading to the amplification of Cd²⁺ cytotoxicity. Further phenotypic monitoring revealed that NPs synergized with Cd²⁺ to induce more severe pyroptosis and apoptosis by activating the inflammatory caspase-1-dependent and Ca²⁺-mitochondrial-caspase-3 pathways to a greater extent, respectively. This study reveals and proves for the first time the "Trojan horse" effects of NPs, thus elucidating the actual mechanisms by which NPs act as toxicity amplifiers of pollutants, providing significant insights into accurate risk assessment of NPs in composite pollution.

PMID:40350783 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c01254

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Jul;284:107401. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107401. Epub 2025 May 5.

ABSTRACT

The gut-liver axis is vital for organism health. Nanoplastics (NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) can harm zebrafish intestines and livers, yet their combined impact on the gut-liver axis and transgenerational effects are unknown. In this study, F0 zebrafish were exposed to NPs and/or BPA for 28 days. Lipid indices of F0, F1, and F2 zebrafish, as well as the developmental indices of offspring, were detected. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics were used to analyze F0 zebrafish gut microbiota and liver metabolites, exploring underlying mechanisms. The mTOR inhibitor Rapa was injected into F0 zebrafish to examine the mTOR pathway's role in lipid disorders caused by NPs and BPA exposure. The results showed that the exposure of F0 generation zebrafish to NPs and BPA led to lipid metabolism disorders in all generations of zebrafish and abnormal development in F1 and F2 zebrafish. Omics analysis revealed that the combined exposure to NPs and BPA significantly exacerbated the gut microbiota disorder in F0 zebrafish. The differential metabolites identified by untargeted metabolomics were enriched in the mTOR signaling pathway. After Rapa intervention, the lipid disorders in each group of F0 zebrafish were improved. In summary, the combined exposure to NPs and BPA may lead to lipid disorders in all generations of zebrafish and abnormal development of offspring by exacerbating the dysregulation of the gut microbiota-liver axis in F0 zebrafish. The results of this study provide mechanistic insights into the transgenerational effects induced by the combined exposure to NPs and BPA.

PMID:40349632 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107401