Microplastics

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 23;303:118917. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118917. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Carbendazim persists in soil, causing harm to the environment. Microbial degradation is a main way to remove carbendazim from soil, and polyethylene (PE), as a kind of microplastics, widely exists in soil. However, the mechanism by which PE influences carbendazim biodegradation is still unclear. This study isolated Rhodococcus sp. XY-1, a highly efficient carbendazim-degrading bacterium capable of completely degrading 50 mg·L^-1 carbendazim, as its sole carbon and nitrogen source within 4 d. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PE (700 µm, 5 %) depressed XY-1 cell surfaces but induced protective intercellular substance adhesion. According to cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, PE exposure increased intracellular ROS levels in XY-1 and enhanced the absorption intensity of characteristic protein and nucleic acid peaks, indicating metabolic stimulation. Consequently, PE accelerated carbendazim degradation by strain XY-1, achieving a 79.0 % removal of 50 mg·L^-1 carbendazim within 60 h. Furthermore, PE itself underwent oxidation and hydrolysis, as evidenced by the simulated soil experiments at an increased carbon-to-oxygen ratio (from 0.016 to 0.072) and the emergence of -OH functional groups. PE also enhanced soil microbial activity, regulated organic carbon content, and influenced carbendazim adsorption, collectively promoting its degradation. Under PE (700 µm, 5 %) amendment, strain XY-1 achieved a degradation rate of 58.0 % for 5.0 mg·kg^-1 carbendazim within 7 d in soil. This study elucidates the mechanism by which microplastics influence the microbial degradation of soil organic pollutants.

PMID:40850116 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118917

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Aug 14;287:107542. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107542. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are pervasive in aquatic environments, with aged MNPs being the predominant form due to environmental weathering. However, their developmental toxicity, particularly regarding skeletal formation, remains poorly understood. In this study, aged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) were prepared via 48-hour UV irradiation and compared with pristine PSNPs in zebrafish embryo exposures starting within 4 h post-fertilization (hpf) and lasting for 7 days. Both pristine and aged PSNPs induced skeletal malformations, but aged PSNPs caused more severe effects, including decreased hatching rates, increased mortality, and altered larval body length. Histopathological analysis revealed disrupted muscle fiber organization and lipid accumulation in the yolk sac. Elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium ion levels were observed in both treatment groups. Aged PSNPs significantly upregulated GRP78 and RAB7 protein expression, increased transcription of the Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ER stress) marker eif2α, and downregulated key genes involved in bone development (bmp2b, bmp4) and autophagy (atg13, atg5). These findings indicate that aged PSNPs exacerbate oxidative stress, activate ER stress pathways, inhibit autophagy, and impair skeletal development. This study highlights the heightened developmental toxicity of environmentally aged MNPs and underscores the necessity of including aged plastic particles in ecological risk assessments.

PMID:40850273 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107542

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 22:127019. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There is a paucity of in vivo assays to investigate the potential deleterious effects of plastic-laden compounds in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, compared to in vitro testing and ecotoxicity assays in marine organisms. This work aims to fill this gap through a comprehensive evaluation of the acute toxicokinetics and bioavailability of bisphenol A (BPA)-adsorbed medium-density polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) (ca. 3000 μg BPA/g), with a mean particle size of 136 μm, which were administered via oral gavage at a mere 0.67 mg BPA/kg body weight for 24 h using a murine model. The determination of plasma BPA-glucuronide revealed that BPA associated with MPs is bioavailable, to a similar extent to that of freely dissolved BPA, with Area Under the Curves (AUC) values of 1249 ± 182 and 928 ± 276 μg·h·L^-1 for the 0→6 h interval (AUC_0→6h), and 3586 ± 526 and 2325 ± 634 μg·h·L^-1 for the 0→24 h interval (AUC_0→24h), corresponding to BPA-PE and free BPA, respectively. Several biomarker assays of the small intestine, and liver and investigation of the gut barrier function were conducted to elucidate the potential deleterious effects of BPA-loaded PE (PE-BPA) as compared to BPA and PE alone. Acute exposure to PE-BPA increased the expression of the detoxification biomarkers multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B1 (UGT2B1) in the jejunum, particularly when PE and BPA occurred together, likely due to the extended intestinal residence time of the BPA-laden MPs. Oxidative stress markers, such as superoxide dismutase activity, and inflammatory responses, evaluated by myeloperoxidase activity, were also elevated with PE-BPA, suggesting a defensive response but without evidence of oxidative damage as determined by the malondialdehyde levels. In conclusion, the findings suggest that BPA associated with MPs exhibits similar bioavailability than that of freely dissolved BPA, with the subsequent activation of detoxification pathways and inflammatory responses.

PMID:40850458 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127019

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 22:127025. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics are pervasive pollutants in aquatic environments. However, the combined effects of aged MPs and antibiotics on ecological systems remain unclear. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, we confirmed that polyethylene microplastics (PE) and the ciprofloxacin antibiotic (CIP) significantly altered sediment microbial community structure and ecological function. Except for the sole addition of CIP, introducing single PE or combined contaminant treatments resulted in varying reductions in the edges, nodes, and average degree of the single-factor correlation network (1.52%-18.83%), ultimately destabilizing microbial communities through network simplification. This reduction in network complexity indicated that PE had a major impact on disrupting microbial interactions and community structure in combined pollution scenarios. Based on functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa analysis, PE and CIP were shown to significantly affect the Carbon-Nitrogen (C-N) cycle (p < 0.05), and combined contamination mitigated nitrogen cycle-related functions. In addition, ultraviolet-aged PE (p < 0.05) and CIP (p < 0.01), as well as key environmental factors pH (p < 0.01) and total nitrogen (p < 0.05), significantly affected the sediment community structure (p < 0.001). Our study can aid in exploring and assessing the combined risks of emerging contaminants.

PMID:40850459 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127025

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug 22;393:127091. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127091. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Low-trophic aquaculture (LTA), including seaweed and bivalve farming, is often promoted as an environmentally sustainable food production system due to its low input requirements and potential ecological benefits. However, this sustainability narrative is increasingly undermined by the pervasive use of plastic-based gear. This systematic review of 1,768 peer-reviewed publications (2003-2024) reveals that synthetic polymers remain the dominant material in LTA infrastructure, contributing to marine litter, microplastic pollution, and long-term ecological degradation. Although one-third of studies mentioned farming gear, only 6 % (n = 108) disclosed the material composition, indicating a critical gap in sustainability reporting. Among these, over 70 % referenced conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon. Regional and species-level differences emerged: natural materials were more frequently reported in Asian seaweed farming, whereas non-Asian studies were more likely to explore biodegradable or bio-based alternatives. Nevertheless, plastics remained prevalent across all contexts, particularly in bivalve systems (up to 88.2 % in Asia). Sentiment analysis of abstracts revealed regional differences in research framing, with Asian studies adopting a more pragmatic tone and non-Asian studies engaging more critically with environmental issues. These findings underscore the urgent need to address plastic dependence in LTA and promote scalable, regionally tailored alternatives through improved policy, reporting, and innovation pathways.

PMID:40848462 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127091

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug 22;393:126959. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126959. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The horizontal transport of microplastics on soil surfaces represents a crucial pathway for their distribution in the environment. This study systematically investigated the horizontal transport characteristics of microplastics under simulated hydrodynamic conditions to understand their behavior during surface runoff scouring. Experiments were conducted using 1 μm polystyrene particles and quartz sand (250-425 μm) to examine the effects of runoff velocity (10, 16, 23 cm/s) and slope gradient (0 %, 3 %, 5 %) on microplastic transport. Results showed that the total microplastic loss ranging from several hundred to a few thousand items in effluent exhibited a positive correlation with flow velocity after 30 min flow erosion, with no significant relationship with slope gradient-possibly due to interference from flow patterns. Under conditions of minimal or no quartz sand loss, high-velocity flow initially caused more pronounced erosion of microplastics, followed by a sharp decline, ultimately resulting in lower loss rates compared to low-velocity flow in the later stages. During extensive quartz sand erosion, microplastic loss remained consistently high throughout the experiment period, with a maximum loss of up to 8500 items per minute. The study revealed that flow primarily eroded microplastics dispersed in the pore water surrounding quartz sand, while also increasing microplastic adherence to sand surfaces. The extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory was applied to analyze the retention and release mechanisms of small colloidal microplastics on quartz sand surfaces. This study elucidates the microscale mechanisms underlying small colloidal microplastic release during surface runoff by integrating XDLVO theory and torque analysis with hydrodynamic experiments. The results provide a scientific foundation for predicting small colloidal microplastic mobility and support the development of practical strategies to mitigate soil microplastic pollution in agricultural and urban environments.

PMID:40848464 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.126959

J Contam Hydrol. 2025 Aug 20;275:104699. doi: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104699. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are ubiquitous in various environments with a wide distribution. When exposed to the natural environment, microplastics undergo photoaging under ultraviolet irradiation, accompanied by a series of physicochemical property changes such as bond breakage and oxygen addition. It is of great significance to understand the physical and chemical properties of photoaged microplastics and their potential environmental risks, but information is limited and lacking in summary to date. This paper summarizes the properties of photoaged microplastics, the factors influencing their aging, and the increased environmental risks following microplastics exposure to ultraviolet radiation in aquatic environments. Firstly, the apparent changes in photoaging behavior on microplastics' physical and chemical properties were outlined, including morphological characteristics, chemical structure, crystallinity, hydrophobicity, Zeta potential and leaching behavior. Then, the factors affecting the photoaging process were discussed comprehensively, including microplastic properties, environmental media, dissolved organic matter (DOM), clay minerals and inorganic anions. In addition, the environmental risks of photoaged microplastics as pollutant transport vectors and disruption of elemental cycles were analyzed. Notably, photoaged microplastics may enhance the induction of biological toxicity and human exposure risks. Finally, knowing the summarized above, some issues that deserve more attention for future research are forecasted. Since the UV-induced weathering of microplastics is a widespread phenomenon with implications for humans, society and the environment, this review could offer valuable insights for future research directions and environmental risk assessments of microplastics.

PMID:40848504 | DOI:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104699

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Aug 21:146926. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.146926. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation methods continue to be major issues in agriculture, which consumes 70 % of freshwater. In this context, creating effective water management strategies is crucial, and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer a promising new solution. However, traditional synthetic SAPs and hybrid SAPs with a lot of synthetic material contribute to microplastic pollution, making it urgent to find eco-friendly alternatives that deliver good performance while protecting the environment and supporting sustainability. To address this, a novel carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/sodium alginate (Na-Alg) hybrid hydrogel was prepared via free-radical graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide onto a polysaccharide backbone in aqueous solution, designed for agricultural water management. Design-Expert software was employed to furnish 11 hydrogel formulations to minimize acrylic monomer content while maximizing swelling capacity. The optimal formulation CMC-6 (AA/CMC = 3.25, Na-Alg/CMC = 0.6) revealed a maximum water absorption capacity (1636.69 g/g). FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed successful grafting and crosslinking reactions, while SEM analysis revealed a highly porous morphology, confirming the high swelling capacities reached. TGA and rheological analysis demonstrated that CMC-6 exhibited good thermal and mechanical stability. The swelling behavior was evaluated under varying pH, salinity, and temperature conditions. The SAP maintained a good swelling capacity across a wide pH range, reaching the maximum at pH 8. Due to lower osmotic pressure, the swelling capacity decreased as the concentration of NaCl solution increased. It ranged from 307 g/g to 164.75 g/g as the concentration went from 0.3 wt% to 1.2 wt%. The effect of cation charge followed the order Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Al³⁺, demonstrating that multivalent cations reduce swelling through additional cross-linking. Smaller cations (Na⁺ and Mg²⁺) facilitated water penetration compared to large ones. CMC-6 showed a thermoresponsive behavior, and the water retention test highlighted its ability to retain water for five days. Additionally, it demonstrated good reusability through reswelling and water re-retention over multiple cycles. These responsive and durable properties make it a promising candidate for sustainable agricultural practices.

PMID:40848787 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.146926

Environ Res. 2025 Aug 21:122594. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122594. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the pollution of microplastics (MPs) in aquaculture and their adsorption of enrofloxacin (ENR), and develops a SERS detection method for ENR adsorbed on the surface of MPs based on hydrophilic membrane enrichment. Surface water samples from three South American white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) ponds were analyzed for MP abundance, distribution, morphology, particle size, and type. Results revealed that MP pollution was widespread, with fibers smaller than 1 mm being predominant, and polypropylene was the main polymer type. The adsorption behavior of ENR onto polypropylene MPs was examined, revealing that factors such as particle size, concentration, pH, and temperature significantly influenced adsorption levels. Kinetic analysis indicated that the adsorption process followed a multi-stage co-control model, and the high correlation coefficient of the Langmuir isotherm suggested adsorption occurred on a monolayer of a homogeneous surface. Given that MPs can act as carriers for ENR, increasing ecological risks in aquaculture, the study developed a rapid detection method based on membrane enrichment and methanol desorption, coupled with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology. This method demonstrated high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 1.6 ng, enabling efficient monitoring of toxic substances adsorbed onto MPs in aquatic environments. The proposed approach offers effective support for pollutant detection in aquaculture systems.

PMID:40849012 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122594

Small. 2025 Aug 23:e07152. doi: 10.1002/smll.202507152. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is promising for seawater desalination and wastewater purification. However, its practical application remains limited by several challenges, including low effectiveness in microplastic removal, insufficient stability under extreme environmental conditions, and lack of well-integrated multifunctional optimization. In this work, a multifunctional, self-floating interfacial solar evaporator is designed by incorporating MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) with excellent photothermal conversion efficiency and silver nanowires (AgNWs), offering synergistic photothermal and antimicrobial properties. The rational structural design, combined with exceptional water transfer capability, enables unprecedented evaporation performance. The PAMA-MA evaporator achieves a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.73% and an impressive evaporation rate of 4.06 kg m^-2 h^-1 under one-sun irradiation. Beyond freshwater production, it demonstrates versatile purification capabilities, achieving up to 99% microplastic removal, excellent heavy metal retention, and outstanding antibacterial properties. A one-week ultraviolet ageing test further confirms the long-term durability of the evaporator for desalination applications. Notably, the device maintains its high photothermal conversion efficiency even after exposure to extremely low temperatures (-30 °C for 48 hours), confirming its robust operational stability under harsh environmental conditions. This study offers an efficient and sustainable solution for interfacial solar evaporation, opening new avenues for advancements in seawater desalination and water purification technologies.

PMID:40847903 | DOI:10.1002/smll.202507152

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Aug 22;47(10):405. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02688-2.

ABSTRACT

Plastic pollution is a growing global environmental challenge, with human-generated debris increasingly used as nesting material by birds. This highlights the widespread impact of human activity on ecosystems. Plastics in nests fragment into mesoplastics and microplastics, posing risks to organisms and ecosystems. Predominantly, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) appear as fibers, fragments, and strings. Birds are affected by plastic contamination through entanglement, ingestion, and exposure to toxic pollutants, including harmful additives. As bioindicators, birds reveal the extent of plastic pollution and associated ecological risks. Addressing this issue requires ongoing research on microplastic distribution in seabird nests, improved waste management, and monitoring in polluted regions. Social media can also aid efforts to map hotspots and raise awareness about plastic contamination in estuarine and coastal ecosystems.

PMID:40844749 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02688-2

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Aug 22. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36875-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The escalation of plastic production and its ubiquitous application across numerous sectors have led to increased plastic waste, contributing to the widespread occurrence of microplastics (MP) across different ecosystems. Due to their durability and resistance to breakdown, these particles persist and accumulate in the environment, threatening both ecological and human health. Rivers serve as critical conduits that link terrestrial and marine environments, thus playing a pivotal role in the distribution of MP. Consequently, one of the key research priorities is focused on understanding the primary processes that controls the transport of MP in riverine environments. Here, we propose an integrated version of a previously published model that solves the classical advection-dispersion-reaction equation (ADRE) by mimicking the removal/resuspension of MP as reactive terms. The proposed framework integrates inputs of MP from human activities and assesses transport and deposition processes-including sedimentation, burial, resuspension, and removal along riverbanks-tailored to the specific hydro-geomorphological characteristics of river segments. The model was applied in a real river network, the Tame River (UK), to evaluate four distinct MP composition scenarios: a high-fiber scenario, a high-fragment scenario, a high-pellet scenario, and an averaged composition scenario derived from literature. These scenarios represent realistic variations in particle morphology and density, allowing an assessment of how particle-specific properties influence transport and retention. The results highlight the dominant role of bank retention and sedimentation in MP transport, demonstrating that depositional processes significantly contribute to the long-term retention of MP in river networks. This tool is instrumental in enhancing our understanding of MP pollution in river systems and proposing effective mitigation strategies.

PMID:40844575 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-36875-6

Respirology. 2025 Aug 22. doi: 10.1111/resp.70107. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Health impacts of inhaling airborne microplastics have been actively investigated. Although microplastics have been detected in lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, their detection requires substantial effort and is technically challenging, with existing studies demonstrating various limitations. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid is a less invasive sampling method than surgical lung biopsy. This study aimed to establish a detection method for microplastics from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and evaluate the relevant health impacts.

METHODS: Patients undergoing bronchoscopy for diffuse lung disease diagnosis were included. Microplastics were detected using Nile Red staining and fluorescence microscopy. Particle size, shape, and concentration were assessed through image analysis, and plastic types were identified via Raman spectroscopy. Correlations between microplastic findings and clinical laboratory data were evaluated.

RESULTS: Microplastics were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of all 30 patients. The median concentration of Nile Red-stained particles was 684.7 particles/mL, and over 80.0% of the particles were smaller than 10 μm, with 93.5% being particulate and 6.5% fibre. The most frequently identified microplastics were polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Microplastic concentration positively correlated with blood C-reactive protein levels (r_s = 0.39) and was higher in areas showing consolidation shadows (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: We established a method for detecting microplastics in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Microplastics were found in all patients, with a potential link to inflammation. In addition, Nile Red staining was applied for the first time to detect plastics in the lung and appeared to be useful for screening and quantification.

PMID:40843955 | DOI:10.1111/resp.70107

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Aug 22. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c08835. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in agricultural soils and may influence emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), though their specific impacts remain uncertain. This study utilized conventional and network meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to environmentally relevant MP concentrations. Results showed that, compared with uncontaminated soil, polypropylene increased CH₄ emissions by 2.01 times, while polyethylene terephthalate reduced them to 0.47 times. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid/PBAT increased CO₂ emissions by 3.13 and 2.70 times, respectively; polyethylene raised N₂O emissions by 1.52 times. Other MPs had no significant impact. Most types of MPs increased GHG emissions, with conventional MPs contributing more to N₂O emissions and biodegradable MPs contributing more to CO₂ emissions. Biodegradable plastics were not necessarily more environmentally friendly in terms of global warming potential. Moreover, the study summarized issues in current meta-analyses targeting MPs, emphasizing the need to prioritize MP types, account for correlations and interactions among moderators, ensure effect size independence, and address potential "P-hacking" during the discretization of continuous variables. This deepens our comprehension of the environmental impacts of MPs and provides valuable guidance for future meta-analyses to accurately assess effects of MPs.

PMID:40845217 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c08835

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 18;497:139595. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139595. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the environmental and human health impacts of micro- and nanoplastic pollutants is currently a high priority, stimulating intensive methodological research work in the areas of sampling, sample preparation and detection as well as intensive monitoring and testing. It is challenging to identify and quantify microplastics in complex organic matrices and concepts for nanoplastic detection are still in their infancy. All analytical techniques employed in studying micro- and nanoplastics require suitable reference materials for validation measurements, with requirements as diverse as the analytical tools used, ranging from different polymer types, size distributions and shapes of the material to the concentrations employed in different experimental set ups (ng to g amounts). The aim of this manuscript is to outline current good practices for small-scale laboratory production and characterization of suitable test and reference materials. The focus is placed on top-down fragmentation methods as well as bottom-up precipitation methods. Examples using polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate with size distribution classes of mainly 10-1000, 1-10 and < 1 µm particles will be provided. Experiences and suggestions on how to produce well-characterized micro- and nano-plastics for internal research needs will ensure that studies using the materials have robust and informative outcomes.

PMID:40845574 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139595

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 18;497:139600. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139600. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Drosophila melanogaster is increasingly utilized in environmental risk assessment due to its genetic versatility, biological relevance, and cost-effectiveness. It plays a key role in toxicological studies of emerging environmental pollutants, including microplastics, nanomaterials, and personal pharmaceuticals. Its utility also offers insights into hazard identification of traditional pollutants, unraveling toxicological mechanisms, and identifying molecular targets for public health interventions. Here we highlight the diverse applications of Drosophila in toxicological studies of various pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, and microplastics, underlining its role in hazard identification, biomarker discovery, and mechanistic toxicology. By integrating findings from various domains, this article underscores the significance of Drosophila in advancing environmental toxicology and fostering effective pollution mitigation strategies. Particular attention is given to its application in evaluating phenotypic, molecular, and behavioral endpoints relevant to pollutant exposure. Hazard identification in Drosophila primarily focuses on phenotypic assessments, such as survival rates, dietary changes, lifespan, aging, sleep quality, and reproductive health, to evaluate the toxicological effects of environmental contaminants. Drosophila has proven invaluable in biomarker discovery and advancing our understanding of toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation processes for various pollutants. We also discuss emerging trends, including the integration of omics technologies and its potential in high-throughput screening. Despite its many advantages, challenges remain, such as limited translational relevance to human systems, strain-specific responses, and gaps in mechanistic understanding. Addressing these issues will be critical for maximizing the impact of Drosophila-based research in environmental health science.

PMID:40845575 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139600

Comp Biochem Physiol Part D Genomics Proteomics. 2025 Aug 19;56:101612. doi: 10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101612. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global pollution by microplastics (MPs) and nano-plastics (NPs) disrupts aquatic ecosystems and compromises the health of aquatic animals. However, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding acute high-dose and chronic low-dose polystyrene nano-plastic (PS-NP) exposures that simulate point-source and non-point source pollution events, respectively. The PS-NP concentrations (10 mg/L for acute exposure and 1 mg/L for chronic exposure) were designed to simulate realistic environmental scenarios. In this study, the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) was used as a model to investigate the differences on physiological functions under acute (96 h, 10 mg/L) and chronic (30 days, 1 mg/L) PS-NP exposure. Transcriptome sequencing and basic biochemical detection were utilized to analyze changes in gene expression, antioxidative and immunological responses of hepatopancreas. The results demonstrated that acute exposure to PS-NPs induced a significant upregulation of antioxidative and pro-inflammatory enzymes, suggesting a rapid stress response and activation of immediate defense mechanisms. In contrast, chronic exposure led to downregulation of mitochondrial and immune pathways, collapse of antioxidative defense, increased lipid peroxidation, and signs of immunosuppression. These findings underscored the time-dependent toxico-dynamics of PS-NPs and highlighted their potential ecological risks under prolonged exposure. The study provided molecular-level evidence to support more accurate environmental risk assessments and informs mitigation strategies for safeguarding aquaculture health in contaminated freshwater ecosystems.

PMID:40845584 | DOI:10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101612

Water Res. 2025 Aug 14;287(Pt B):124412. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124412. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Brominated volatile halocarbons (Br-VHCs) emitted from the ocean are the main ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, yet their production dynamics by microorganisms under anthropogenic stressors such as microplastics perturbation are unknown. Here, through coupled ship-based incubations (Yellow Sea) and laboratory experiments, we demonstrate that 1 μm polystyrene (PS) microplastics addition inhibited phytoplankton growth with maximal suppression rates of 82.35% and increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) accumulation by 91.38%. PS microplastic exposure restructured eukaryotic communities, with Diatoma dominance. Plankton community variation after PS microplastics addition linked to Br-VHCs production, with Arcocellulus (phytoplankton) and Pseudophaeobacter (bacteria) as keystone taxa to explain Br-VHCs variance. Under PS treatment, Br-VHCs emissions increased by up to 36.89%, driven by oxidative stress (ROS levels 4.15-fold higher than controls) and DOC accumulation, mechanistically related to H₂O₂-mediated halogenation. These findings reveal plastic pollution is a catalytic force in marine halogen biogeochemistry, highlighting the reassessment of oceanic climate feedbacks under anthropogenic forcing.

PMID:40845681 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124412

Environ Res. 2025 Aug 20:122663. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122663. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The growing focus on long-range atmospheric transport of microplastics (MPs) has overshadowed the importance of local sources. Here we investigated the abundance and sources of MP deposition on a regional scale (22,994 km²) using pleurocarpous moss collected from 33 background rural sites across Tuscany, Central Italy. A total of 288 MPs (>50-5000 μm) were found across all sites, dominated by fibres at 86.8% and tire wear particles at 4.9%. Given the dominance of textile fibres, polyethylene terephthalate was the dominant polymer at 29.2%; nonetheless, the diversity of polymers also suggested local agricultural sources, such as plastic mulch (polyethylene and copolyester, both at 12.5%) and agricultural superabsorbent hydrogel polymers (polyacrylic acid at 16.7%). The accumulation of MPs ranged from 1.3 to 11.6 MPs per gram of moss dry weight (median 4.8 ± 2.3 MP/g) and estimated mass concentration from 0.3 to 116.8 μg/g (median 2.9 ± 2.1 μg/g). Median particle length was 650 μm and median particle mass was 0.5 μg, suggesting that atmospheric transport was the primary pathway for these small lightweight particles. The population within a 10 km buffer, distance to urban centres, and moss tissue content of chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) were significantly associated with airborne MPs, suggesting that MP concentrations were primarily influenced by local and regional-scale anthropogenic factors within a range of 10 to 100 km, rather than long-range sources. The sources of Cr and Ni are primarily geogenic, originating from ultramafic rocks, particularly ophiolites, which are a unique indicator of Tuscan aeolian dust emissions from agricultural fields or wind-blown soil particles. These findings highlight the potential of moss biomonitoring as a practical and scalable tool for the source assessment of atmospheric MP contamination on a regional scale. Further, our results identify agricultural plastics and urban centres as important regional sources of microplastics.

PMID:40846197 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122663

Environ Int. 2025 Aug 18;203:109736. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109736. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are ubiquitously present in the atmospheric environment, with a notably high prevalence of fibrous variants that pose significant inhalation risks. Although extensive research has been conducted on the interaction between spherical microplastics and both cellular systems and animal models, the pulmonary toxicity and biological impact of fibrous microplastics remain poorly understood. The comparative toxicological profiles and mechanistic pathways of two morphologically distinct inhalable microplastics - irregular and fibrous structures - were systematically elucidated through integrated multi-level investigations combining in vivo animal exposure systems and in vitro cell culture models. As a result, restricted ventilatory dysfunction and airway remodeling were observed in both irregular microplastics and fibrous microplastics-treated mice. The exposure of microplastics caused epithelial-mesenchymal transition in airway epithelial cells, characterizing in increased migration rate, decreased cell adhesion and cytoskeleton rearrangement. Based on these toxic effects, fibrous microplastic resulted in more severe airway toxicity than irregular variant did. Most importantly, the exposure of fibrous microplastics increased cilia formation and can be reduced by a Piezo1 inhibitor, of which a unique mechanism that is absent with irregular microplastics. In summary, our study demonstrates that microplastic shape not only modulates toxicological potency but may also influence underlying biological mechanisms, highlighting the imperative to incorporate shape-dependent effects into comprehensive health risk assessments of microplastic pollution.

PMID:40845405 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109736

J Fluoresc. 2025 Aug 21. doi: 10.1007/s10895-025-04500-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant global environmental concern over recent decades due to their widespread presence in oceans, bioavailability, and ability to transport toxic substances. The analysis of MPs in both environmental and experimental samples has become increasingly common. Among the analytical steps, detection is crucial, as it directly provides the results. With a growing preference for simple, rapid, and instrument-free methods, visual detection where results can be seen and interpreted by the naked eye has become essential. This critical review summarizes and discusses advanced visual detection techniques, emphasizing their potential for on-site microplastic monitoring based on carbon dots (CDs), nanozyme sensing assays, and fluorescent dyes. Finally, the review outlines key challenges and proposes potential future research directions in this field.

PMID:40839201 | DOI:10.1007/s10895-025-04500-x

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 20;303:118900. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118900. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mangroves with developed root systems at the land-sea junction act as sinks for microplastics (MPs). Heavy metals (HMs), persistent contaminants in coastal ecosystems, coexist with MPs globally. However, the complex effects of MP-HM pollution on mangrove ecosystems remain unclear. Herein, the combined effects of various MPs (polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA)) and 10 HM (Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Co, Hg, As, and Ni) on the rhizosphere microecology of the mangrove plant Avicennia. marina (Forssk.) Vierh. (A. marina) were determined. The combined pollution caused by MPs-HMs changes the rhizosphere microbial community structure of A. marina and decreases species richness and diversity. The relative abundance of dominant bacteria (Firmicutes) in the PP-HM exposure (PPz) group increased by 58 %, and that of ε-Proteobacteria decreased by 49 %, compared with those in the heavy metal exposure (Z) group. PP and PA in the sediment enriched Bacillales (12 %) and Sphingomonales (3.6 %), respectively. The following were the distinct responses to the combined MP-HM pollution by the rhizosphere bacterial community: (1) sensitivity, which changed rapidly within 7 d of exposure, (2) specificity, differential enrichment of bacterial communities under MP vs HM stress, and (3) persistent alterations in functional bacteria following exposure. MPs in the sediment changed the bacterial community structure of the rhizosphere sediment by selective enrichment of the microbial taxa with specific plastic degradation functions. Thus, the long-term coexistence of MPs-HMs and microbes in mangrove wetlands may subtly change the biogeochemical cycling processes in coastal ecosystems. This study indicates the ecological effects of MPs-HMs in the rhizosphere environment, which provides theoretical support and scientific basis for the study of biogeochemical cycles.

PMID:40840087 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118900

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 14;497:139562. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139562. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The global rise of environmental contaminants (ECs), including microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, and drugs, poses an urgent threat to human health. Traditional toxicological models often fail to replicate human-specific responses, delaying effective risk assessment and regulation. Conversely, human organoid models represent a breakthrough in environmental health research by offering unprecedented physiological relevance. Hence, this review highlights the potential role of human organoids in ECs toxicity assessment. Results showed that current studies primarily focus on drugs, while perfluorinated compounds, solvents and dietary toxicants remain understudied. A major shortcoming is the overreliance on acute, high-dose exposure models that fail to mimic real-world situations. Thus, incorporating chronic, low-dose exposures is essential for ecological and regulatory relevance. Regarding the model, induced pluripotent stem cell derived organoids are the most used, while adult stem cell- and patient-derived models remain underutilized despite their potential for clinical research. Also, standardization challenges, especially variability in organoid architecture, cellular diversity, and reproducibility, continue to limit their broad application. Mechanistic insights reveal that ECs disrupt key signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, Notch, BMP, p53) inducing altered cell differentiation, inflammation, structural changes and apoptosis. As regards the assays, reliance on the conventional ones restricts molecular depth. Indeed, advanced multi-omics and AI-driven analyses remain underexploited, despite their promise for environmental toxicology. To accelerate progress, future efforts must integrate low and chronic exposure with multi-organoid platforms and AI-based profiling to better capture systemic and tissue specific responses to ECs. Doing so will revolutionize hazard assessment and support more effective environmental health policies worldwide.

PMID:40840045 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139562

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 20;222(Pt 1):118595. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118595. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics have become a major concern as research has shown the overwhelming presence of these pollutants in all environmental compartments. Their role as sorbents of chemical pollutants adds a new layer of complexity to the problem, as they can behave as vectors for the transport of these substances, protecting them from degradation, while preconcentrating them. In this research, a new methodology has been developed, optimized, and validated for the determination of 45 persistent and emerging organic pollutants in different polymeric matrices (pristine polypropylene, pristine low- and high-density polyethylene and weathered polypropylene and polyethylene). The proposed methodology used a solvent extraction procedure using an orbital-shaker combined with gas chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector. Validation showed acceptable absolute recovery values, averaging between 76.0 % and 119.0 % with low relative standard deviations (< 20 %), in most cases. Matrix effect studies highlighted significant signal suppression for most pollutants. Limits of quantification of the method ranged from 0.5 to 15.0 ng/g. The proposed methodology was evaluated based on greenness, practicality and sustainability metrics. Finally, a total of fifteen samples of weathered polyethylene and polypropylene collected from Playa Grande (Canary Islands, Spain), a hotspot of microplastic arrival, were analyzed. Results revealed quantifiable amounts of various pollutants in all samples, encompassing different families (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, ultraviolet filters, etc.) with concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 176.5 ng/g in polyethylene and 0.9-105.0 ng/g in polypropylene for most samples, with occasional values exceeding this range, underscoring the potential environmental and human health impact of microplastics.

PMID:40840323 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118595

Carbohydr Res. 2025 Aug 16;557:109649. doi: 10.1016/j.carres.2025.109649. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cellulose particles of 200-250 nm size, stable for 18 days in a water-salt medium, are proposed as a model of biodegradable microplastics. The particles are characterized by means of dynamic light scattering, laser microelectrophoresis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry (TG) and IR spectroscopy. The complexation of cellulose particles with toxicants - cationic polymers (kaustamin, poly-l-lysine hydrobromide and poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium) bromide), as well as the composition of the resulting complexes and their ability to dissociate into the initial components in water-salt media is discussed. It is demonstrated that the complexation is followed by the surface charge neutralization and enlargement of the particles. The interaction is electrostatic in nature: the salt addition causes the dissociation of the complexes into individual components. The cytotoxicity of the individual cellulose particles and their complexes with polycations towards fibroblast cells is investigated using MTT assay. Cellulose particles are found to be non-toxic, but at the same time, cellulose-polycation complexes demonstrate cytotoxicity comparable to the cytotoxicity of individual polycations of the same concentration. The findings of the work should be taken into account when discussing the potentially harmful effects of microplastics on ecosystems.

PMID:40840093 | DOI:10.1016/j.carres.2025.109649

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 20;222(Pt 1):118501. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118501. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Marine oil spill accidents are serious environmental disasters. The nearshore waters and shipping channels where oil spills occur occasionally are often hotspot areas for microplastics (MPs) pollution. Few researchers have focused on the impacts of marine environmental conditions on oil spill migration and transformation behaviors when MPs and chemical dispersant coexist. This study investigated the effects of MPs and dispersant on oil dispersion and sedimentation under a range of oscillation frequencies, temperatures, and salinities. The results indicated that the presence of dispersant increased the mass of oil dispersed into the water column and reduced the size of the dispersed oil. Regardless of the presence of MPs, the increase in the value of environmental variables enhanced the above trends. Dispersant enhanced the interaction between MPs and oil to form MPs-oil-dispersant agglomerates (MODA), thereby promoting the sedimentation of oil. Except for temperature, the increase in oscillation frequency (from 140 rpm to 180 rpm) and salinity (from 20 ‰ to 35 ‰) increased the density of the sunken MODA by 21.9 and 14.5 kg/m³, respectively. The morphology of MODA also changed with the variation of environmental conditions. One type of MODA was formed by oil coating the MPs, with no obvious MPs on the surface; the other type was formed by MPs embedding into the oil, and MPs of which were clearly visible on the surface. The results of this experimental study may improve the knowledge on the fate and transport of marine oil spill in the presence of MPs.

PMID:40840324 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118501

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Aug 20;998:180292. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180292. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This work presents a comprehensive review of phosphorus removal and resource recovery driven by phosphine (PH₃) in biological wastewater treatment processes, with a particular focus on PH₃ generation. Through a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and CiteSpace, the review highlights current research trends in this field. Based on the existing literature, the mechanism of PH₃ production, as well as the influencing factors and efficiency of its formation in aerobic, anaerobic, and land treatment systems, are systematically summarized and discussed. The review identifies several strategies to enhance PH₃ generation and facilitate phosphorus removal and recovery, including electrochemical enhancement technologies, regulation of phosphorus forms, and the use of functional microorganisms and genes. Additionally, it elaborates emerging challenges posed by pollutants such as microplastics and antibiotics, which may affect PH₃ production by influencing microbial communities, redox conditions, and phosphorus conversion. Given the potential of machine learning in predicting PH₃ production, the integration of density functional theory with machine learning is proposed to reveal the mechanisms of PH₃ generation and provide theoretical support for cross-scale process optimization. In conclusion, future research should focus on the integration of microbial regulation, electrochemical enhancement, computational simulation, and other advanced technologies to accelerate the development of efficient phosphorus recovery processes driven by PH₃. This approach would help establish a certain theoretical foundation for PH₃-based phosphorus removal and recovery, facilitating its transition to engineering applications.

PMID:40840352 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180292

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug 20;393:127083. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127083. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The pervasive contamination of microplastics (MPs) represents a critical global environmental threat. However, their effect on the plant-soil-microbe system remains poorly understood. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of cherry radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to foliar MPs exposure, elucidating tissue-specific metabolic mechanisms and rhizosphere microbial community shifts. Key findings demonstrate that foliar MPs exposure severely impaired photosynthesis, with polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) reducing net photosynthetic rate by 63.1 %. Disruption of chlorophyll synthesis was evidenced by reduced Mg (7.2-18.4%) and Zn (13.5-29.3%) accumulation. Stomatal blockage and starch grain accumulation further compromised photosynthetic efficiency. Distinct oxidative stress responses between leaves and roots revealed differential metabolic adaptations. Leaves upregulated galactose metabolism while downregulating starch-sucrose metabolism and TCA cycle activity. Roots enhanced glyoxylate-dicarboxylate metabolism but suppressed butanoate metabolism. Under photosynthetic constraints, metabolomics confirmed redirected carbon allocation and energy conversion. Rhizosphere communities exhibited strengthened synergistic interactions, with bacterial alpha diversity increasing while fungal diversity decreased significantly. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) further uncovered complex feedback regulation within the plant-soil-microbe continuum. This study provides valuable insights for understanding the mechanism of "plant-soil-microbe" interactions under MPs stress.

PMID:40840421 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127083

Environ Res. 2025 Aug 19:122629. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122629. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Monitoring antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater influents (pre-treatment) and effluents (post-treatment) provides insights into community-level circulation, potential amplification during treatment, and risks associated with gene release into surface waters. Pollutants such as antibiotic residues and microplastics (MPs) may influence ARG dynamics, highlighting the need to assess their dynamics across wastewater environments. In this study, we analyzed ARGs and bacterial communities using Oxford Nanopore (ONP) metagenomics and qPCR in wastewater samples from Mekjarvik (Norway), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Mariehamn (Åland, Finland). Antibiotic residues were quantified via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and MPs were characterized using Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) in Mekjarvik and Reykjavik. Metagenomic analysis identified 193 unique ARGs, with the highest average (±SD) in Reykjavik (66.3 ± 4.1), followed by Mekjarvik (61.3 ± 14.1) and Mariehamn (18.0 ± 2.2). ONP sequencing revealed that many ARGs were plasmid-associated, co-occurring with metal stress genes. Common plasmids were Col440I, IncQ2, and ColRNAI. Mercury-related genes dominated metal stress genes (64.9%), followed by multimetal (23.7%) and copper (6.4%). Of 45 antibiotics screened, only sulfamethoxazole and sulfapyridine were consistently detected. Polyethylene (∼60%) was the dominant MP type; Reykjavik influent had the highest MP load (8200 MPs/m³). While treatment reduced ARGs, antibiotic residues, and larger MPs, it was less effective against fine particles and key ARGs, including carbapenemase- and ESBL-associated genes. Clinically relevant ARGs and potential pathogens (e.g., Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) persisted in effluents, highlighting risks to downstream ecosystems. These findings underscore the need for regular monitoring of both influents and effluents to assess treatment performance and safeguard environmental health.

PMID:40840604 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122629

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Aug 19:146999. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.146999. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Researchers are actively pursuing the development of novel adsorbents that are uncomplicated, efficient, and cost-effective for water contaminant removal. Recently, magnetic sodium alginate-based adsorbents (MSABAs), comprising sodium alginate (SA) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), have attracted great attention in wastewater treatment. MSABAs possess superior mechanical properties, a loose porous structure, biodegradability, accessibility, and abundant active sites. They can exert the dual synergistic effects of SA and MNPs to efficiently target water pollutants. This work investigates the composition, fabrication techniques, and applications of MSABAs in treating wastewater treatment with contaminants such as dyes, heavy metal ions, antibiotics, oil spills, and microplastics (MPs). Moreover, the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of MSABAs on various pollutants are also introduced. Lastly, this review outlines the existing challenges and prospects for MSABAs in wastewater treatment. This review aims to provide information about MSABAs that can not only serve as a valuable reference but also ignite a spark of knowledge among researchers and promote their widespread adoption in engineering applications.

PMID:40840743 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.146999

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Aug 21. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c07539. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is critical to soil ecosystems, with its dynamics influenced by exogenous substances like microplastics (MPs)-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM) from agricultural mulches. However, the impacts of MPs-DOM, especially at environmentally relevant concentrations, on soil DOM dynamics remain unclear. Here, we examined DOM transformation in yellow (YS) and black (BS) soils upon the addition of MPs-DOM, leached from biodegradable and nonbiodegradable mulches under ultraviolet irradiation (UV-MPs-DOM) and dark conditions (D-MPs-DOM), at environmentally relevant concentrations (3 mg C/kg). Results showed that extraction conditions, rather than mulch type, predominantly affected the bioavailability of MPs-DOM. UV-MPs-DOM, enriched in lipid-like and protein/amino sugar-like compounds, promoted soil DOM transformation. In YS, characterized by lower microbial diversity, UV-MPs-DOM enhanced DOM lability more than D-MPs-DOM. Conversely, in BS, with a diverse microbial community, UV-MPs-DOM with high bioavailability not only directly altered soil DOM composition but also was rapidly metabolized by the soil microbiome, particularly Proteobacteria, thereby resulting in increased soil DOM recalcitrance. However, the low bioavailability of D-MPs-DOM primarily exerted direct effects, contributing to its accumulation and increase in soil DOM lability. These findings provide novel evidence that MPs-DOM at environmentally relevant concentrations can alter soil DOM through distinct pathways, highlighting its potential long-term ecological risks.

PMID:40838930 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c07539

Eur J Histochem. 2025 Jun 17;69(3). doi: 10.4081/ejh.2025.4226. Epub 2025 Aug 1.

ABSTRACT

The statement "Plastics define the way we live today" summarizes the findings of the Plastic Europe 2020 final document (https://plasticseurope.org/knowledge-hub/plastics-the-facts-2020/). Sadly, this also means that the plastic waste generated over the next decade is likely to become unmanageable. By 2050, plastic usage is expected to triple, resulting in a similar increase in plastic waste, with approximately half of it ending up in landfills. Emerging research indicates that micro and nanoplastics have been found in various human organs, including the gonads, placenta, blood, arteries, lungs, liver, kidney, and even the brain. This raises significant questions about their pervasive presence within our bodies and their potential threat to health. In addition to their harmful effects, these "forever particles" (micro/nanoplastics) can serve as Trojan horses, transporting additional pollutants such as bacteria and heavy metals into our bodies. In this review, we explore key aspects of the plastics crisis and urge the scientific community -especially those in the fields of cytochemistry and histochemistry, which adeptly connect morphology with function- to investigate the harmful effects of micro and nanoplastics that we encounter daily through ingestion or inhalation. This research should focus on various physiological levels, including DNA, cells, and tissues.

PMID:40832994 | DOI:10.4081/ejh.2025.4226

Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. 2025 Aug 18;280:111147. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2025.111147. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics and trace metals such as cadmium (Cd) are environmental contaminants commonly co-occurring in marine ecosystems. We aimed to evaluate the impact of combined exposure of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) to microbeads (MBs) and Cd, focusing on the effects of the depuration process on contaminant removal and stress-related biomarkers. Pacific oysters were exposed to MBs, Cd, and their combination for 48 h, followed by a 72 h depuration process using uncontaminated seawater. We measured the levels of accumulated MBs and Cd in the whole soft tissue of the Pacific oysters to evaluate the degree of contaminant removal. Additionally, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were measured and the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, metallothionein, and the apoptosis-related gene caspase-3 were analyzed in the Pacific oyster hepatopancreas tissue to evaluate oxidative stress and apoptosis. Our results indicated that Cd was eliminated more slowly than MBs, and the Pacific oysters exposed to combined MB and Cd contaminants maintained higher levels of oxidative stress-related gene expression than those exposed to individual contaminants. These findings suggest that Cd may persist longer in oyster tissues than MBs, potentially leading to prolonged toxicity in the Pacific oyster. Furthermore, in environments where both MBs and Cd are present, MBs can enhance the toxic effects of Cd through a synergistic interaction. Overall, we provide a reference for understanding the depuration and physiological responses of marine bivalves exposed to MBs and Cd.

PMID:40835107 | DOI:10.1016/j.cbpb.2025.111147

PLoS One. 2025 Aug 20;20(8):e0330708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330708. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics and nanoplastics are everywhere, but little is known about their chemical reactivity. In this study we performed a Density Functional Theory study of polystyrene (PS, a common non-biodegradable thermoplastic polymer) and polylactic acid (PLA, a biodegradable polymer) to understand the capacity to react of these two nanoplastics. The chemical reactivity of these oligomers is investigated through their capacity to either donate or accept electrons and, therefore, their capacity to oxidize other molecules. To model nanoplastics, we used oligomers formed with different numbers of carbon atoms. PLA is a better electron acceptor than PS, which could be related to oxidation reactions. It has also been reported that the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in the environment increases the bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics. To investigate this idea, we calculated the interaction energies of PLA and PS oligomers with two antibiotics: ciprofloxacin and metronidazole. The results indicate that both can form stable compounds with these two antibiotics. This might be related to the Trojan horse effect, which refers to the idea that the presence of nanoplastics increases the bioaccumulation of drugs. These results contribute to understand the reactivity of these nanoplastics.

PMID:40834008 | PMC:PMC12367159 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0330708

Nano Lett. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c02743. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The subject of nanoplastics is of growing importance, as the use of plastics in our everyday lives has caused nanoplastics to be abundant in the air, water, and soil, bringing them in contact with humans and animals. Understanding how proteins bind and structure themselves at these nanoplastic interfaces is critical for determining the toxicity and health implications of nanoplastics. Proteomics has determined the most abundant protein in human protein corona formed around nanoplastics; however, the structure and orientation of these proteins is extremely challenging to determine. We use in situ sum frequency scattering vibrational spectroscopy and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to probe the structure of human liver protein apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) when adsorbed to polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles. The spectra indicate that ApoA-1 aggregates and forms fibrillar structures at the PS nanoplastic interface, leading to clustering of PS nanoplastics, which may pose a significant risk to human health.

PMID:40833386 | DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c02743

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c02114. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nanoplastics (NPs, < 1 μm) are ubiquitous in the environment and pose potentially more severe ecological and health risks than microplastics (MPs, 1 μm-5 mm). Nearly almost research concerning NPs was limited to few types of nanospheres especially polystyrene (PS) due to the lack of environmentally relevant NP model samples. Preparation of diverse NP samples acts as a formidable barrier to deeply reveal environmental contamination of NPs. We highlighted this current research dilemma and critical scarcity of NP models based on remarkable difference in the aspect of morphology, structure, behavior, and toxicity between NPs and MPs. For the first time, we provide a comprehensive summary of preparation methods for pristine and functionalized NP model samples including the top-down synthesis of irregular heterogeneity and bottom-up synthesis of spherical homogeneity, mainly involving physical fragmentation, emulsion polymerization, and nanoprecipitation. This review aims to facilitate in preparation of NPs with various polymer types, general applicability in different laboratories, and suitability in large-scale production, which will be crucial to understanding their environmental prevalence, behaviors, and pollution control.

PMID:40834337 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c02114

PLoS One. 2025 Aug 20;20(8):e0327416. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327416. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Atmospheric aerosols from different industrial and natural sources enter the airways during inhalation. The smaller respirable aerosols enter the alveolar sacs and, depending on the residence time and toxicity, create severe respiratory health hazards. The physiological movement of the alveolar sacs is an important feature of breathing dynamics. Therefore, the knowledge of the dynamic behavior of the alveolar airways during airflow and aerosol transport is essential for the accurate health risk assessment of respiratory aerosols.

METHODS: This study analyzed the physiological movements of the alveolar sac and its impact on airflow and particle deposition in the acinar region. In the present study, the dynamic acinar model uses a Computational Fluid-Particle Dynamics (CFPD). The boundary condition of moving walls is presented by introducing a novel strategic motion function of the alveoli (Eq. 5) compatible with the physiological function of the lung.

RESULTS: The results of the present study indicated that particle density is a determining factor in increasing the percentage of particle pollution deposition lower than 3 µm. The study also reports that the air amplitude velocity (~0.01 vs. 0.00085 m/s) is a crucial index in the particle pollution deposition in alveoli.

CONCLUSIONS: To date, several studies analyzed the airflow in acinar sections. However, a comprehensive analysis of the physiological behavior of the alveolar sacs is missing in the literature. The specific findings of this study would improve the knowledge of airborne particle transmission in the alveolar zone.

PMID:40834037 | PMC:PMC12367132 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0327416

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug 19;393:127016. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the impact of sawdust biochar (T2), Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC, T3), and their mixtures (T4) on the polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) degradation and related mechanisms during composting, the treatment without addition was regarded as control (T1). Results showed that compared with the control, adding biochar, PC and their mixture could reduce the PE-MPs abundance from 27,833 to 17,267-22600 items/kg, and the minimum value was observed in T4. Meanwhile, the pronounced surface cracks, highest carbon loss and carbonyl index observed in T4 also confirmed this result. Additionally, adding the mixture of biochar and PC optimized composting environments and selectively enriched bacteria on PE-MPs biofilms, especially NS9_marine_group, main contributor to the PE-MPs degradation with 0-200 μm and 1000-3000 μm. Furthermore, the application of combined amendments enhanced connectivity between PE-MPs and microorganisms, thus benefiting PE-MPs degradation. These findings provide new insights into MPs reduction in compost and a theoretical basis for the safe recycling of organic wastes.

PMID:40834578 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127016

Environ Int. 2025 Aug 10;203:109720. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2025.109720. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tyre wear particle (TWP) emissions are a major source of microplastic pollution. This study analyzes the variability in national TWP emissions estimated through different methodologies and provides guidance for optimizing these estimations. Findings show substantial discrepancies in per capita emissions across European countries, with variations up to 2 kg/y*cap, particularly between Southern and Eastern European countries, as well as Estonia and Finland. In contrast, Western European countries exhibit minimal variation despite diverse methodologies. We predicted annual TWP loads reaching environmental compartments such as air, soil, sewers, and surface waters. Germany, France, and Italy were identified as major emitters, each exceeding 100,000 tons annually. Notably, only a small fraction of these emissions, approximately 13,000 tons per year, reaches surface waters due to varying efficiencies of wastewater treatment facilities. Based on the country-specific emission estimates, we developed predictive models for emission estimation based on socioeconomic variables such as Gross Domestic Product. While a simplified Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model identified key linear drivers, a more advanced Random Forest (RF) model demonstrated significantly higher predictive accuracy (LOOCV R² > 0.7 for major vehicle types), revealing the complex, non-linear nature of emission drivers. This dual-modeling approach provides a robust framework for global projections, highlighting Luxembourg and the United States as leaders in per capita emissions (3.56 and 3.12 kg/cap*y, respectively), while China and India exhibit the highest total emissions. Our predictive models reduce data requirements and facilitate a preliminary, data-driven estimation of the global distribution of TWP emissions.

PMID:40834560 | DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109720

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 19;303:118827. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118827. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Placental microplastic exposure has emerged as a potential environmental risk factor affecting fetal development. This study investigates the association between placental microplastic burden and umbilical cord hormone levels in a cohort of pregnant women from Shenyang, China. A total of 1324 pregnant women during 2022-2023 were enrolled. Placental microplastics were quantified using a laser direct infrared (LD-IR) chemical imaging system, targeting polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polybutylene succinate (PBS). Umbilical cord blood cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Regression models were applied to assess individual microplastic associations, while quantile-based g-computation (g-comp) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used to evaluate mixture effects. Microplastics were detected in all placental samples, with a median total concentration of 12 particles/10 g. Placental microplastic exposure was significantly associated with altered fetal hormone levels. Higher PVC, PBS, and total microplastic concentrations were linked to lower cortisol levels, while PVC, PP, and total microplastics were associated with reduced cortisone. In contrast, PBS and total microplastics were positively associated with DHEA, and PVC, PBS, and total microplastics correlated with increased androstenedione. The cortisol/DHEA and glucocorticoid/androgenic ratios were significantly reduced with higher microplastic exposure, suggesting endocrine disruption. Mixture analysis confirmed these trends, showing decreased glucocorticoids and increased androgens, with sex-stratified analysis indicating stronger cortisol reductions in boys and higher DHEA in girls. Overall, placental microplastic exposure was associated with altered fetal hormone levels, suggesting potential endocrine disruption while further studies are needed.

PMID:40834760 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118827

Water Res. 2025 Aug 11;287(Pt A):124393. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124393. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This reply addresses the comments by Deng et al. (2025), who raised concerns about the application of Prandtl's mixing length theory in estimating microplastic settling velocity and the formulation of mass-balance equations for microplastic transport amongst the river compartments. We clarify the relevant points from the original article to prevent potential misunderstandings by readers.

PMID:40834731 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124393

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2025 Aug 18;111:107547. doi: 10.1016/j.ntt.2025.107547. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite the growing recognition of the impacts of microplastics (MPs) and the intensification of extreme weather events, recent investigations have focused mainly on the consequences of global warming, while overlooking the potential impacts of extreme low-temperature (ELT) events and their interaction with these pollutants. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to assess the integrated effects of co-exposure to environmentally aged polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and ELTs on behavioral, neuroendocrine, metabolic, and histomorphometric biomarkers in female Swiss mice. To this end, animals were orally exposed to environmentally aged PS-MPs (10 mg/kg/day) and maintained in a climate-controlled chamber at 4 °C for 21 days, whereas control groups were kept at 25 °C. In the behavioral domain, co-exposed animals exhibited increased locomotor disorganization, anxiety-like behavior, reduced exploratory efficiency, and impairments in memory and social discrimination, associated with neuroendocrine alterations involving dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and corticosterone, depending on the response evaluated. The retention of PS-MPs in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) was confirmed by epifluorescence microscopy. It was associated with oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant defenses, and metabolic dysfunction in iBAT, effects exacerbated by ELT exposure. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), Random Forest, and structural equation modeling (PLS-PM), revealed distinct phenotypic patterns among groups, as well as integrated causal trajectories linking neuroendocrine dysfunction to systemic phenotypic alterations. In conclusion, our study confirms the initial hypothesis by demonstrating that the combination of ELT and PS-MP ingestion amplifies systemic physiological dysfunctions beyond the effects of each individual stressor, highlighting the vulnerability of homeothermic mammals under multiple environmental pressures, and opening new perspectives for ecotoxicology to consider not only the impacts of global warming, but also the deleterious effects of ELTs in interaction with emerging pollutants.

PMID:40834912 | DOI:10.1016/j.ntt.2025.107547

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 18;384:127005. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With increasing global awareness of plastic pollution, microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a potential environmental health hazard. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their relevance to gynecological malignancies, particularly endometrial cancer (EC), remains largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate MP accumulation in EC tissues and investigate its potential impact on tissue metabolic reprogramming. Raman spectroscopy, combined with untargeted metabolomics, was employed to comprehensively assess both the presence and metabolic consequences of MPs in EC and matched normal endometrial tissues. In 32 analyzed samples, MPs averaged 3.2 ± 2.3 particles/g, with polyethylene (15.7 %), polypropylene (11.8 %), ethylene-acrylic acid (10.8 %), and polystyrene (8.8 %) predominating. Endometrial cancer tissues exhibited significantly higher MP levels (3.7 ± 2.5 particles/g) than normal controls (2.0 ± 1.5 particles/g). Metabolomic profiling revealed that MP exposure is associated with substantial alterations in cancer-related metabolic pathways, with the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism pathway showing the most pronounced enrichment. Key differential metabolites included glycine, N-acetyl-arginine, and 4-aminobutyric acid, which have been implicated in tumor proliferation and immune regulation. These findings suggest that MPs may promote the development of EC through modulation of metabolic pathways, providing novel insights into the role of MPs in gynecological cancers. This study highlights the emerging threat of environmental pollution to women's reproductive health and offers innovative theoretical perspectives for future research.

PMID:40835103 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127005

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 18;384:127006. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127006. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40835104 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127006

Environ Toxicol. 2025 Aug 19. doi: 10.1002/tox.24563. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The toxicity of microplastics in aquatic environments is usually due to plasticizers, the chemical additives that keep the plastic polymers together. Thus, the current study reports on the toxicity of three common plasticizers found in freshwater ecosystems and their impacts on two South African freshwater organisms at the organismal and biochemical levels. Tilapia sparrmanii (fish) and Caridina nilotica (shrimp) were exposed to varying concentrations of the test plasticizers, including bisphenol-A (BPA), calcium stearate (CAS), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The impacts of these plasticizers on mortality and biomarkers (acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidation) were investigated using 96-h short-term static nonrenewal and 21-day long-term static renewal exposure methods, respectively. All experiments were conducted in temperature-controlled rooms. Mortality was determined after 96 h, while biochemical effects were measured after 21 days. The results revealed that all three plasticizers significantly affected the mortality of both organisms. Also, acetylcholinesterase activity per unit protein in shrimp decreased significantly at all levels of exposure, while lipid peroxidation increased significantly at all levels of exposure. This study has shown that short-term and long-term exposures to the tested plasticizers could adversely impact populations of the tested organisms at both the organismal and biochemical levels.

PMID:40831068 | DOI:10.1002/tox.24563

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c03654. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tire particles have been reported as a major source of microplastic pollution for aquatic environments, but interactions between biota and tire particles remain uncertain. In this study, we exposed the estuarine amphipod Corophium volutator to environmentally relevant concentrations of tire particles to quantify the ingestion and adherence of tire particles via two different feeding modes: suspension feeding and surface deposit feeding. C. volutator were placed into exposure treatments relevant to each feeding mode, dosed with tire particles (0.1 g/L). In both treatments, tire particles were found to be adhered and ingested by all individuals. In the suspension feeding treatment, individuals ingested significantly higher numbers of tire particles compared to the surface deposit treatment and controls (GLMM, p < 0.001). C. volutator had significantly higher numbers of adhered particles to the antenna compared to other body parts (Kruskal-Wallis, df = 6, p < 0.001). The impact of anthropogenic particle adherence upon biota is poorly elucidated, but an array of adverse outcome pathways are postulated based on existing literature. The outcomes of this study will help to elucidate the exposure of biota to tire particles in benthic estuarine and coastal environments.

PMID:40831434 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c03654

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 19;303:118827. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118827. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Placental microplastic exposure has emerged as a potential environmental risk factor affecting fetal development. This study investigates the association between placental microplastic burden and umbilical cord hormone levels in a cohort of pregnant women from Shenyang, China. A total of 1324 pregnant women during 2022-2023 were enrolled. Placental microplastics were quantified using a laser direct infrared (LD-IR) chemical imaging system, targeting polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polybutylene succinate (PBS). Umbilical cord blood cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Regression models were applied to assess individual microplastic associations, while quantile-based g-computation (g-comp) and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used to evaluate mixture effects. Microplastics were detected in all placental samples, with a median total concentration of 12 particles/10 g. Placental microplastic exposure was significantly associated with altered fetal hormone levels. Higher PVC, PBS, and total microplastic concentrations were linked to lower cortisol levels, while PVC, PP, and total microplastics were associated with reduced cortisone. In contrast, PBS and total microplastics were positively associated with DHEA, and PVC, PBS, and total microplastics correlated with increased androstenedione. The cortisol/DHEA and glucocorticoid/androgenic ratios were significantly reduced with higher microplastic exposure, suggesting endocrine disruption. Mixture analysis confirmed these trends, showing decreased glucocorticoids and increased androgens, with sex-stratified analysis indicating stronger cortisol reductions in boys and higher DHEA in girls. Overall, placental microplastic exposure was associated with altered fetal hormone levels, suggesting potential endocrine disruption while further studies are needed.

PMID:40834760 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118827

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Aug 19. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c07676. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although bivalves are widely recognized as indicators of microplastic pollution, evidence of bioaccumulation shows high variability across studies due to exposure duration and depuration rates. This study examined microplastic ingestion in wild oysters of varying sizes (spat to adult) over three months in the Maowei Sea, a mariculture bay in China. Results revealed a positive correlation between oyster size and microplastic ingestion per individual, with larger oysters accumulating more microplastics, primarily in the visceral mass and mantle compared with the gills. However, when normalized by tissue mass, smaller oysters exhibited markedly higher burdens. Specifically, microplastic counts increased by ∼0.53 particles per individual per 1 cm increase in shell length, while the concentration decreased by ∼0.48 particles per gram of tissue per 1 cm increase. This inverse relationship highlights that size is a critical factor influencing the microplastic exposure risk per unit biomass. Additionally, a negative correlation between catalase (CAT) enzyme activity and microplastic exposure over two months provided field-based evidence of oxidative stress. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of a size-dependent pattern in microplastic accumulation among wild oysters from spat to adult; notably, this effect manifests only across broad developmental stages rather than within shorter time scales.

PMID:40829002 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c07676

PLoS One. 2025 Aug 19;20(8):e0329599. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329599. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are widespread in marine environments, with significant contributions from land-based wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A desktop study was conducted on regulatory framework for marine outfalls in South African coastal cities. The South African regional policy permits proper disposal of wastewater in a marine outfall provided raw wastewater is treated and will not have an adverse effect on the receiving body. The experimental study investigated the capacity of microplastics to serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria originating from WWTP effluent. Experiments challenging the regulations were based on microbiology of the effluent that is discharged through an outfall. Microcosms were set up by spiking seawater with WWTP effluent and adding the collected plastic pieces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine colonization on the microplastics. After 30 days of microcosm exposure, selective media and incubation conditions were used to isolate Enterobacteriaceae. Pure isolates were tested against 16 antibiotics normally used in human clinical settings. In the initial biofilms directly from microplastics from the WWTPs, several genera generally associated with wastewater treatment were isolated. Dominant species isolated and identified were Citrobacter sp., Escherichia sp., Enterobacter sp., Serratia sp., Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas sp.. Several isolates were resistant to the last resort of antibiotics, (doripenem and imipenem; 9% to 27%) and some of these isolates were resistant to up to ten of the antibiotics. These findings highlight that clinically relevant Enterobacteriaceae colonize microplastics and survive in biofilms on these microplastics surfaces. Bacterial infections caused by Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have become a global concern in the fight against bacterial infections. Our findings highlight the need for more data to challenge existing marine outfall policies and the outdated notion stating that dilution alone can solve pollution problems.

PMID:40828787 | PMC:PMC12364349 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0329599

Chemosphere. 2025 Aug 18;386:144644. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144644. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) used as flame retardants that pose interlinked environmental health challenges, making them an ideal focus for One Health assessment. This review synthesizes current scientific knowledge on PBDEs contamination based on a literature analysis of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. It examines shared contamination sources, exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and intervention strategies. PBDEs exemplify the One Health paradigm through their ubiquitous anthropogenic sources, causing global environmental contamination across all health domains. Common exposure pathways (dietary intake, dust inhalation, and maternal transfer), create direct interface between human and wildlife health via contaminated environmental reservoirs. Across species, PBDEs have been linked to convergent toxicological outcomes, including endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive impairments, and immunotoxicity, underscoring shared vulnerability patterns. Recent studies highlight the interaction between PBDEs and microplastics, which may enhance bioavailability and introduce novel exposure pathways. Vulnerable populations, notably children and pregnant women, face disproportionate risks requiring targeted interventions, including source control, advanced remediation technologies, and cross-sectoral surveillance systems. Despite regulatory progress, PBDEs remain a persistent global concern due to environmental persistence, continued emissions from legacy products, and emerging vectors such as microplastic-mediated transport. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated, cross-sectoral approaches that integrate environmental monitoring, transdisciplinary research, and harmonized regulatory frameworks. The One Health perspective offers a robust and holistic model for managing PBDEs and related POPs, emphasizing the urgency of collaborative solutions that recognize the intrinsic interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health in combating global contamination challenges.

PMID:40829294 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144644

J Environ Manage. 2025 Aug 18;393:127019. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Phenolic compounds such as 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) are widely discharged from various industries that pose significant threats to human health and environment due to their toxicity and resistance to conventional treatment methods. In this study, hydrothermally synthesized MnOOH was used to activate periodate (PI), forming PI/MnOOH for degradation of 4-CP. The effect of microplastic (MP) coexistence on the performance of PI/MnOOH was evaluated. The degradation of 4-CP by PI/MnOOH was 92.53 ± 0.93 %, much higher than PI oxidation itself (23.85 ± 1.19 %) and that of MnOOH alone (11.82 ± 0.59 %), confirming the effective activation of IO₄^- ions by the synthesized MnOOH to generate free radicals. The PI/MnOOH process achieved degradation efficiency of 98.75 % at solution pH of 3 with a kinetic rate constant (k_obs) of 0.062 ± 0.003 min^-1. The quenching experiments suggested that reactive species, including IO₃^• (93.94 %), ¹O₂ (88.03 %), O₂^•- (61.97 %), and ^•OH (27.42 %) were detected. The degradation efficiency of 4-CP without MP was 97.54 ± 0.98 %, which decreased to 94.57 ± 4.73 %, 88.67 ± 4.43 %, and 68.95 ± 0.69 % in the presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), respectively due to electrostatic interactions between the positively charged MnOOH and the negatively charged MPs as well as pore-blocking effects. This work provides new insights into MP interference in PI/MnOOH based advanced oxidation processes and highlights their environmental implications.

PMID:40829217 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127019

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 18;221:118566. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118566. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) persistence in the environment leads to exposure to both wildlife and humans, which is a concern globally. However, understanding MP sources, transport pathways, and environmental risks from exposure remains limited in many environments. Identifying polymer types provides crucial information to address this knowledge gap. This study examines MP distribution and polymer composition in sediment from the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, PA, USA, a freshwater tidal marsh. We identified 4590 MP particles and 29 polymer types using laser direct infrared spectroscopy across five sediment cores from four sampling sites. The most abundant polymers were polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), and tire rubber. To evaluate toxicity, we focused on six common polymers produced internationally: polyethylene, PP, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, PU, and polystyrene. MP concentrations, polymer diversity, and risks increased downstream based on the polymer hazard index and potential ecological risk index, indicating environmental danger. We observed higher MP concentrations and risks in recent depositional sediments. Interestingly, MP concentrations in sediment reported from estuaries located across five continents (18 countries) showed no significant differences, suggesting shared sources of contamination in global estuarine sediments. The global MP burial flux was estimated at approximately 0.2 Mt. yr^-1. Our findings highlight that MPs primarily originate from polymers commonly used to produce single-use plastic products, emphasizing the need for stricter waste management and reduction efforts aimed at disposable plastics.

PMID:40829418 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118566

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 12;497:139541. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139541. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a sustainable and effective approach for immobilizing heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) in contaminated environments. However, the influence of coexisting microplastics (MPs), particularly polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), on MICP performance remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the effects of 1 μm and 50 μm PE-MPs on MICP-mediated Cd remediation in both liquid cultures and soil systems. In aqueous systems, PE-MPs imposed oxidative stress on Stenotrophomonas maltophila Z-6 (with CAT and SOD activities increased by 15.83-59.44 % and 37.41-149.81 %, respectively), inhibited bacterial growth (OD₆₀₀ decreased by 0.20-8.43 %), and delayed Cd²⁺ immobilization. Notably, low-to-moderate concentrations of 1 μm PE-MPs exerted greater inhibitory effects. SEM and XRD analyses showed a transformation of mineral products from metastable spherical vaterite to stable stacked calcite, enhancing Cd fixation, especially at low concentrations of 1 μm PE-MPs. In soil, PE-MPs altered MICP-induced pH (decreased 0.075-0.096 units), EC (decreased 4.52-10.73 %), enzymatic activities, and microbial community structure, yet promoted overall mineralization and reduced Cd mobility and bioavailability (1.98-2.79 %). These findings highlight the complex effects of PE-MPs on MICP performance and microbial ecological stability, underscoring the need to account for emerging pollutants in MICP-based remediation strategies.

PMID:40829394 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139541

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Aug 14;287:107541. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107541. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics have significantly contributed to modern conveniences owing to their ease of use, stability, and adaptability. However, the fragmentation of plastics into microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) poses significant environmental risks. These micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) can adsorb various pollutants and pathogens, potentially posing significant ecological risks. This review critically examines the natural organic matter (NOM) in mitigating the toxicity of MNPs in both marine and freshwater species. Evidence suggests that NOM facilitates the formation of an eco-corona (EC) on MNPs, thereby reducing toxicity. Reduced toxicity attributed to EC formation has been observed in various freshwater species, such as Danio rerio and Daphnia magna, as well as marine species, including sea urchins, European sea bass, and marine algae. The presence of natural organic matter (NOM), particularly fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA), significantly mitigates the toxic effects of MNPs, with HA exhibiting a strong protective effect. The interactions between MNPs and NOM, including the formation of the EC, which encompasses a protein corona component, are pivotal in understanding toxicity mitigation in aquatic environments. This review highlights the need for further research to elucidate the interactions between MNPs and NOM, and their role in mitigating toxicity across marine and freshwater ecosystems.

PMID:40829436 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107541

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 18;221:118590. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118590. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are multifarious contaminants and their transfer by marine organisms can impact health. Yet, despite considerable research, microplastic quantification across multiple trophic levels is incomplete. Here, ingestion, retention, depuration and transfer of environmentally relevant polyester (PEST) microplastics, with plasticising bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as a co-contaminant, is reported for three reef species. Exposed copepods (Parvocalanus crassirostris), mysid shrimps (Mysida) and moon wrasse fish (Thalassoma lunare) ingested (<21.33 ± 15.94 PEST individual^-1), retained (<48 h), and depurated (<5.77 ± 1.27 PEST h^-1) PEST. Trophic transfer was observed as a 14.6-fold (copepods to shrimps) and 4.3-fold (shrimps to fish) increase of PEST. All organisms demonstrated PEST bioconcentration, PEST biomagnification only occurred in shrimp. DEHP positively influenced PEST intake by copepods, yet had no impact on PEST transfer. Demonstrated PEST transfer across this food chain, coupled with species-specific bioconcentration and biomagnification dynamics, enhances understanding of microplastics fate and informs ecological impact assessments.

PMID:40829421 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118590

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Aug 18;998:180261. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, environmental microplastic samples (>30 μm) were collected from subsurface seawater (5 m depth) along a major Asia-Pacific shipping route from Tokyo to Bangkok. The samples were characterized, ecological risk was assessed, and results were also compared with surface water samples. The results showed spatial variation in microplastic concentrations along the route, with the highest concentration (5904 pieces/m³) observed in the South China Sea and the lowest concentration (3272 pieces/m³) in the offshore Tokai region. Subsurface microplastic concentrations were generally higher than surface concentrations. Polyethylene (PE) was the dominant polymer type, and polymer diversity was lower in the subsurface than in surface waters. Subsurface microplastics were found to be smaller in size while less degraded compared to surface microplastics. Despite higher concentrations, ecological risk levels at the subsurface were comparable to those in the surface due to the presence of less toxic polymer types in subsurface samples. Further evaluation indicated that estimated ecological risk levels are strongly influenced by mesh selectivity and the spatial coverage of sampling stations. This study highlights the spatial heterogeneity of subsurface microplastics and reveals important differences from surface counterparts. In addition, relying solely on surface data may result in biased estimation of total microplastic exposure and ecological impact. The findings from this study provide valuable reference data for future investigations, and can help the design of monitoring programs, the development of environmental policies, and the formulation of mitigation strategies.

PMID:40829468 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180261

Anal Chem. 2025 Aug 19. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c00584. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Among the various analytical techniques that have been proposed with the growing significance of microplastic detection, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for detecting microplastics. However, the structural similarity in Raman spectra between fatty acids and polyethylene (PE) frequently causes misclassification by HQI-based methods, particularly when analyzing environmental samples containing mixed fatty acids. Herein, a U-net-based deep learning model was employed to precisely classify PE, stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (OA), mixtures of SA and OA, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and polypropylene based on their Raman spectra. Additionally, by incorporating a binarization technique commonly utilized in material chemistry, high scalability for both qualitative and quantitative analyses is provided. Consequently, the U-net model achieved accuracy improvements over the Pearson correlation coefficient of 2.05% to 11.09% for spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and 21.21% to 48.97% for spectra with nonaveraged spectra. Additionally, it demonstrated at least 36.69% higher accuracy compared to metrics such as Spearman correlation coefficient, cosine similarity, and Manhattan/Euclidean distance. This deep learning-based approach significantly reduces the confusion between PE and fatty acids observed in conventional Raman spectral analyses of microplastics, thereby demonstrating its potential applicability in microplastic standardization and analysis fields.

PMID:40827556 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c00584

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Aug 20;47(10):399. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02724-1.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) as an emerging environmental contaminant pose significant ecological and health risks. This study investigated polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) transport and release in saturated heterogeneous porous media using quartz sand columns (eight configurations: homogeneous and heterogeneous) and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Experimental results showed increased PS-MPs retention in homogeneous media with smaller medium particles, larger PS-MPs (PS100, PS1000, PS5000), and higher ionic strength (1-10 mM NaCl/CaCl₂). Heterogeneous media exhibited earlier breakthrough with two-peak phenomena due to preferential flow. Higher ionic strength and divalent cations (Ca²⁺) enhanced retention by reducing electrostatic repulsion. Breakthrough peaks for PS-MPs in heterogeneous media followed 0.1 μm > 5 μm > 1 μm, influenced by pore structure-induced flow disturbances. PS-MPs demonstrated re-release potential, particularly under water chemistry changes and media heterogeneity. These findings clarify PS-MPs behavior in subsurface environments, aiding risk assessment for aquifer contamination. Key factors include ionic conditions, particle size interactions, and media heterogeneity, emphasizing the need to address preferential flow paths in contaminant transport models. These findings help to understand the transport and release behavior of PS-MPs in saturated porous media and provide important references for assessing the transport risks of PS-MPs in subsurface aquifer environments.

PMID:40830671 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02724-1

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 Aug 19;115(3):32. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04105-x.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40830682 | DOI:10.1007/s00128-025-04105-x

Chemosphere. 2025 Aug 18;386:144644. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144644. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) used as flame retardants that pose interlinked environmental health challenges, making them an ideal focus for One Health assessment. This review synthesizes current scientific knowledge on PBDEs contamination based on a literature analysis of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. It examines shared contamination sources, exposure pathways, toxicological mechanisms, and intervention strategies. PBDEs exemplify the One Health paradigm through their ubiquitous anthropogenic sources, causing global environmental contamination across all health domains. Common exposure pathways (dietary intake, dust inhalation, and maternal transfer), create direct interface between human and wildlife health via contaminated environmental reservoirs. Across species, PBDEs have been linked to convergent toxicological outcomes, including endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive impairments, and immunotoxicity, underscoring shared vulnerability patterns. Recent studies highlight the interaction between PBDEs and microplastics, which may enhance bioavailability and introduce novel exposure pathways. Vulnerable populations, notably children and pregnant women, face disproportionate risks requiring targeted interventions, including source control, advanced remediation technologies, and cross-sectoral surveillance systems. Despite regulatory progress, PBDEs remain a persistent global concern due to environmental persistence, continued emissions from legacy products, and emerging vectors such as microplastic-mediated transport. Addressing these challenges demands coordinated, cross-sectoral approaches that integrate environmental monitoring, transdisciplinary research, and harmonized regulatory frameworks. The One Health perspective offers a robust and holistic model for managing PBDEs and related POPs, emphasizing the urgency of collaborative solutions that recognize the intrinsic interconnectedness of human, animal, and ecosystem health in combating global contamination challenges.

PMID:40829294 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144644

Commun Biol. 2025 Aug 19;8(1):1247. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08709-1.

ABSTRACT

Contamination of plastic particles in environmental and biological systems raises concerns regarding their potential negative impacts. Human exposure to microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) is increasing; however, some potential adverse health effects might remain unclear, due to analytical challenges in detecting trace concentrations. To address this, we propose a workflow for NPs assessment in biological samples combining three complimentary methods, namely inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI), and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to detect palladium-doped NPs (Pd-NPs). This approach was used to quantify the temporal distribution and accumulation of Pd-NPs in mouse models under different experimental conditions, dosages, and time frames. Acute exposure showed a clear particle excretion from the gastrointestinal tract into feces, while subchronic exposure led to tissue accumulation. This workflow enhances our ability to analyze and study NP uptake and biodistribution mechanisms down to the nanoscale in complex biological samples.

PMID:40830574 | PMC:PMC12365251 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-025-08709-1

Plant Cell Environ. 2025 Aug 18. doi: 10.1111/pce.70115. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40820592 | DOI:10.1111/pce.70115

J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2025 Aug 18;35:e2504019. doi: 10.4014/jmb.2504.04019.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are pervasive pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, yet their effects on fish tissues remain insufficiently characterized. Our study investigates the impact of polystyrene microplastics (0.5 and 2 μm) on the gill and intestinal tissues of goldfish (Carassius auratus), with a focus on inflammatory responses and pathogen susceptibility. Following two weeks of exposure, histological and molecular analyses revealed increased filament cartilage thickness in gills, enhanced villus thickness and goblet cell numbers in intestines, and upregulation of immune- and oxidative stress-related genes. Exposure to 0.5 μm microplastics significantly reduced survival after Edwardsiella piscicida infection, indicating increased vulnerability to pathogens. These findings highlight the immunotoxic effects of microplastics and their potential to compromise fish health in contaminated environments.

PMID:40825673 | DOI:10.4014/jmb.2504.04019

iScience. 2025 Jul 24;28(9):113193. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113193. eCollection 2025 Sep 19.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) pose a substantial threat to humans and ecosystems. How MPs move in soils is controlled by a large number of coupled parameters, including MPs and soil properties as well as hydrological and geochemical conditions. We conduct laboratory experiments where two commonly MPs types found in soils-polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP)-are leached into an idealized soil analog (glass beads). We use time-lapse imaging to analyze the water flow pathways and spectroscopy to measure the MPs transport. We find that MPs impede water infiltration into preferential pathways, with a stronger effect for the more hydrophobic PP, and that PET is more mobile than PP. We explain this by the stronger impedance of PP on water flow that carries the MPs (the driving force), as well as PP surface charge enhancing its adsorption onto soil particles, and its lower density that limits downward transport. These findings advance our understanding the mechanisms underlying MP transport in soils.

PMID:40822903 | PMC:PMC12356328 | DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2025.113193

Curr Res Toxicol. 2025 Aug 7;9:100251. doi: 10.1016/j.crtox.2025.100251. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Micro- and Nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their widespread distribution and potential toxicity. While extensive research has explored the impacts of MNPs on various human organs, the eye, a particularly vulnerable tissue, has been relatively neglected. This review systematically examines the potential pathways through which MNPs can enter the eye, their accumulation in ocular tissues, and their potential toxic effects. We discuss the mechanisms by which MNPs may disrupt ocular health, including their ability to induce oxidative stress and inflammation, promote apoptosis, and cause genotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Additionally, we highlight the importance of future research on the effects of MNPs on the visual system, addressing current limitations and suggesting potential research directions. By enhancing our understanding of the risks posed by MNPs to ocular health, we can develop effective strategies to protect human vision and safeguard public health.

PMID:40821864 | PMC:PMC12357259 | DOI:10.1016/j.crtox.2025.100251

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 16;384:127004. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tire wear particles (TWPs) represent a significant, yet understudied, source of anthropogenic pollution in aquatic environments, contributing to microplastic contamination and potentially altering microbial ecosystems. As TWPs are continuously released through abrasion during vehicle use, they accumulate in rivers and sediments, where they can act as surfaces for microbial biofilm formation. In this study, we investigated how TWP characteristics - particle size (small & large), wear condition (unused & used), and vehicle type (car & truck) - affect microbial biofilm composition after four weeks of exposure in the River Rhine, compared to natural sediment. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we found that TWP-associated biofilms harboured significantly lower bacterial diversity than natural sediment biofilms. While a substantial number of OTUs were shared between both habitats, TWPs exhibited increased richness but decreased overall diversity, indicating selective enrichment of specialized taxa. Larger particles further reduced diversity, and specific genera such as Aquabacterium and Ketobacter were highly enriched on TWPs, indicating selective microbial colonization. These findings reveal the effects of TWPs on microbial biofilm communities, emphasizing their potential role in altering freshwater microbial ecosystems. Given the widespread release of TWPs, understanding their ecological impact is crucial for assessing their role in aquatic pollution and ecosystem functioning.

PMID:40825416 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127004

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 16:126997. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126997. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MP's) are pervasive pollutants; however, research on their ingestion by freshwater biota in the Neotropics remains limited, particularly in riverine ecosystems surrounded by agricultural landscapes. This study tested the hypothesis that MP's are present in streams within agricultural areas and that MP's loads in aquatic organisms can be predicted based on stream position and both taxonomic and ecological traits. Macroinvertebrates and fish were sampled at 18 sites across six streams, covering upper, middle, and lower reaches within the Comandaí basin (Brazil) during the winter and spring of 2022. Both macroinvertebrate and fish taxa with diverse ecological traits were selected within a broad range for MP's analysis. Fish body length and weight were measured to assess potential correlations with MP's loads. MP's were detected in organisms from all sampling sites. In total, 106 plastic particles were recovered from macroinvertebrates and 172 from fish. Most particles were blue/green polyethylene fibers. In fish, MP's presence was associated with specific trophic guilds, water column position, and taxa, whereas MP's loads in macroinvertebrates were consistent across taxa and trophic guilds. These findings highlight the vulnerability of freshwater organisms to plastic pollution throughout stream systems with certain fish groups exhibiting greater susceptibility to MP's ingestion.

PMID:40825421 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126997

Environ Res. 2025 Aug 16:122621. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics released into the environment inevitably degrade into microplastics, which subsequently enter the food web. As a result, humans are chronically exposed to microplastics through ingestion. However, studies evaluating the effects of environmentally derived microplastics are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of subchronic exposure to environmentally sourced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics on mammalian intestinal tissue and gut microbiota. Microplastics were generated from cryoground environmental debris and consisted of irregularly shaped PVC fragments (45-100 μm), containing 16 additives, including 7 known endocrine disruptors. Mice were exposed to PVC-contaminated food (50 μg/g) for 26 days. Under steady-state conditions, PVC exposure increased molecular markers of inflammation and oxidative stress without inducing overt histomorphological alterations in the colon. In a model of chronic colitis, PVC exposure exacerbated clinical symptoms, histological damage, and molecular markers of inflammation and fibrosis. These effects were associated with increased recruitment of neutrophils to the colon. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between colitis exacerbation and increased relative abundances of Gastranaerophilales, Parasutterella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Colidextribacter, and Dubosiella, alongside a reduction in Lactobacillus and an enrichment of the isopropanol biosynthesis pathway. These findings add to growing evidence that real-world microplastics, including non-spherical PVC fragments, can induce intestinal toxicity.

PMID:40825521 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122621

Environ Res. 2025 Aug 16:122621. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.122621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics released into the environment inevitably degrade into microplastics, which subsequently enter the food web. As a result, humans are chronically exposed to microplastics through ingestion. However, studies evaluating the effects of environmentally derived microplastics are limited. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of subchronic exposure to environmentally sourced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics on mammalian intestinal tissue and gut microbiota. Microplastics were generated from cryoground environmental debris and consisted of irregularly shaped PVC fragments (45-100 μm), containing 16 additives, including 7 known endocrine disruptors. Mice were exposed to PVC-contaminated food (50 μg/g) for 26 days. Under steady-state conditions, PVC exposure increased molecular markers of inflammation and oxidative stress without inducing overt histomorphological alterations in the colon. In a model of chronic colitis, PVC exposure exacerbated clinical symptoms, histological damage, and molecular markers of inflammation and fibrosis. These effects were associated with increased recruitment of neutrophils to the colon. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between colitis exacerbation and increased relative abundances of Gastranaerophilales, Parasutterella, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Colidextribacter, and Dubosiella, alongside a reduction in Lactobacillus and an enrichment of the isopropanol biosynthesis pathway. These findings add to growing evidence that real-world microplastics, including non-spherical PVC fragments, can induce intestinal toxicity.

PMID:40825521 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.122621

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 16;303:118881. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118881. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable mulch films (BDMs) are considered a promising alternative to conventional polyethylene films, yet their ecological impacts remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated the ecotoxic effects of two biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs), namely WBio-MPs and BBio-MPs, derived from white and black poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) mulch films, on the growth of eight vegetable species commonly cultivated in Southwest China. The plant height, chlorophyll content, shoot biomass and root biomass were employed as testing endpoints. Dose-response relationships of all endpoints under Bio-MPs exposure were well fitted by a three-parameter logistic model, with shoot biomass exhibiting the lowest 50 % inhibitory effective concentration (EC₅₀). Species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curves based on the shoot biomass EC₅₀ values indicated that green pepper, tomato, spinach and radish were sensitive to both Bio-MPs. The hazardous concentration for 5 % species (HC₅) was 2.60 g·kg⁻¹ for WBio-MPs and 4.81 g·kg⁻¹ for BBio-MPs, which substantially exceeded the dose of BDMs with a thickness of 0.02 mm applied continuously for ten years. Considering the biodegradability of BDMs and local mulching frequency, the average steady-state risk quotient (RQ_ss) values ranged from 0.031 to 0.077 for WBio-MPs and from 0.051 to 0.128 for BBio-MPs, suggesting a low to moderate potential ecological risk to vegetable growth. This is the first study to quantify toxicity thresholds of Bio-MPs on vegetable growth and to assess their ecological risks using SSD and risk quotient methods. It provides empirical evidence and technical support for the risk assessment and management of BDMs in agriculture.

PMID:40819405 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118881

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 16;221:118603. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118603. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by marine fish is increasingly frequent due to the ubiquity of plastic pollution in marine environments. This study evaluated the prevalence, characteristics, and possible sources of MPs in the gastrointestinal tract of three ecologically and commercially important fish species (Caranx crysos, Euthynnus alletteratus, and Pterois volitans) from the Continental Caribbean (CC) Sea in the Department of Atlántico and the Insular Caribbean (IC) Sea on the San Andrés Island of Colombia. A high prevalence of MPs ingestion was found in all species (82.6 % in CC; 84.6 % in IC), with spatial and temporal variability in MPs abundance. Higher concentrations were found in the continental area and during the wet season. Fibers and fragments were the predominant shapes, with blue, black, and gray being the most common colors. Chemical characterization by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared microspectroscope (μATR-FTIR) revealed different polymer types, including polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and synthetic and natural polymer blends. Trophic ecology analysis showed that species feeding on smaller fish and bottom invertebrates had higher MPs burdens. However, MPs ingestion was not consistently associated with fish condition factor. The widespread presence of different polymer types, including emerging threats from synthetic-natural polymer blends and sizes smaller than 50 μm, underscores the pervasive nature of plastic pollution in this region and its potential ecological implications, particularly for species at higher trophic levels and overall marine ecosystem health.

PMID:40819465 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118603

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 16;221:118548. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118548. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing threat of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments underscores the urgent need for effective detection and classification methods. A widely used technique for identifying microplastics is Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which characterizes their optical absorbance profiles, shown as spectra. However, the classification accuracy is often compromised by filter-interfered FTIR spectra, which arise from the sample's small size and the spectral interference introduced by membrane filters used during sample preparation. To address this challenge, we propose a framework that combines dimensionality reduction (DR) with deep learning (DL) classification to enhance microplastic classification based on filter-interfered spectra. The framework first applies a DR technique to convert high-dimensional spectra into low-dimensional representations that retain essential features while mitigating interference. These representations are then input into a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) based on the LeNet5 architecture to predict the microplastic type. We evaluate the proposed framework by applying five different DR techniques and assessing their impact on classification performance using a dataset comprising 22 microplastic types. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves classification accuracies ranging from 96.64% to 98.83%, which outperform a baseline approach directly using high-dimensional spectra (94.95%). Moreover, the number of trainable parameters in the LeNet5 model is reduced by over 98% when using low-dimensional inputs. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining DR with DL for microplastic classification, which offers an efficient and enhanced approach for analyzing filter-interfered spectra in aquatic environmental monitoring.

PMID:40819467 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118548

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 14;496:139555. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139555. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The transfer of microplastic (MP) pollution from biomass waste to soil presents a significant challenge for resource utilization and treatment technologies. This study investigated combining black soldier fly larval bioconversion with biochar co-composting to control MPs in biomass waste. In the initial bioconversion process, polyethylene (PE) MPs of two different sizes were added: approximately 150 μm (Series 150) and approximately 300 μm (Series 300). Subsequently, the resulting larval residue was mixed with biochar of three different sizes (3.00-4.00 mm, 1.00-2.00 mm, and 0.50-0.75 mm) for co-composting. These co-composting groups were named S1-S3 (for Series 150-derived residue) and B1-B3 (for Series 300-derived residue), respectively. Results indicated that Series 150 PE posed a risk of accumulation in the larval gut, with the distribution peak decreasing from 215,289 items/kg at 81-111 μm to 152,742 items/kg at approximately 141 μm. Conversely, Series 300 PE underwent a concentration effect, with its abundance increasing in the larval residue; the distribution peak rose from 8615 items/kg at approximately 351 μm to 19,127 items/kg at approximately 321 μm. Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy revealed that chemical oxidation of smaller MP particles was stronger during co-composting with medium- and small-particle biochar. This was evidenced by a decrease in carbon content to 74.00-78.29 % and an increase in oxygen content to 11.60-12.21 %, although no evident fragmentation was observed. Furthermore, small-particle biochar promoted the succession of fungal microbial communities while inhibiting bacterial community succession. This study offers novel insights into controlling MP pollution during biomass resource utilization.

PMID:40819614 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139555

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 15;384:126994. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126994. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As an emerging pollutant, microplastics have attracted increasing global attention due to their widespread presence and potential ecological risks. In this study, a 60-day indoor incubation experiment was conducted to systematically compare the effects of conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) microplastics, at both low and high concentrations, on microbial community structure and metabolic functions in aquatic environments. Water samples were collected on days 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 for 16S/18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. The results showed that microplastic exposure significantly altered the diversity and composition of bacterial communities, with PE and PBAT exerting different degrees of impact. The PE treatment, especially at low concentrations, markedly increased microbial diversity and enhanced the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks. In contrast, the PBAT had a stronger effect on reshaping bacterial community composition. Although eukaryotic communities showed weaker responses in terms of taxonomic shifts, network analysis revealed their key role in maintaining microbial co-occurrence structures. PE exposure primarily enhanced network complexity, whereas PBAT treatment more strongly promoted cooperative interactions among microorganisms. Metabolomic analysis further revealed distinct metabolic pathway alterations induced by different types of microplastics. PBAT exposure led to broader metabolic responses, particularly involving amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into the differential ecological impacts of traditional PE and biodegradable PBAT microplastics on microbial diversity, community assembly, and metabolic function, offering a scientific basis for the ecological risk assessment of various types of microplastics.

PMID:40819775 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126994

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 17;15(1):30089. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9.

ABSTRACT

The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in sewage treatment plants (STPs) remains a critical yet underexplored environmental issue. Here, we present a novel investigation into the occurrence, recovery, and characterization of nanoplastics and small-size microplastics (50-2500 nm) in raw and treated sewage effluent from a full-scale STP (treating 4000 m³/day) operating with activated sludge. To our knowledge, this research includes the first confirmed assessment of nanoplastics in such a system and applies nano-flow cytometry to wastewater analysis for the first time globally. It is also the first study addressing micro- and nanoplastics in wastewater in Saudi Arabia, advancing plastic particle analysis in complex matrices. Particles in the 50- < 100 nm range accounted for 44% of total particles detected in STP effluents. Overall, plastic particles accounted for 16% (± 10%) of total particles within 50-2500 nm in raw sewage, increasing to 41% (± 13%) in treated effluent. This increase highlights the inefficiency of conventional treatment in fully removing plastic particles and suggests preferential removal based on size or density. The composition of a representative selection of particles was characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray. Identified polymers included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene. These findings provide important insights into treated sewage composition, particularly for reuse in arid regions.

PMID:40820022 | PMC:PMC12358546 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-15504-9

Arch Toxicol. 2025 Aug 17. doi: 10.1007/s00204-025-04151-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing global contamination with microplastics (MPs) poses a significant threat to human and animal health. Recent studies suggest that exposure to microplastics contributes to various detrimental hepatic effects, including oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the global liver transcriptome, oxidative stress and selected liver function markers in immature piglets (n = 15) exposed to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs for 4 weeks. The animals were divided into three groups: a low-dose MPs exposure group (0.1 g PET MPs/day), a high-dose MPs exposure group (1 g PET MPs/day), and a control group that did not receive MPs. The transcriptome profile of the liver was assessed using RNA-Seq. In addition, markers of oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase, and malondialdehyde) were determined using specific enzymatic assays, and the levels of selected liver function markers (bilirubin, collagen IV, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase) were measured by ELISA. The results showed that exposure to MPs, especially at a high dose, significantly altered the hepatic transcriptome profile. A low dose of PET MPs changed the expression of 5 genes, while a high dose affected the expression of 24 genes. The differentially expressed genes were associated with several biological processes such as cholesterol metabolism, transferase activity, and oxidation. Moreover, consumption of MPs resulted in increased catalase activity and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver. We also observed an increase in bilirubin and a decrease in collagen type IV, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase content in the liver. These results suggest that PET MPs ingestion may disrupt systemic homeostasis and contribute to liver dysfunction.

PMID:40819340 | DOI:10.1007/s00204-025-04151-8

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Aug 16;303:118867. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118867. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With the extensive use of microplastics (MPs) and its plasticizer, more and more research focus on their combined effects on health risk. In this study, polystyrene (PS) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were selected as target contaminants, and zebrafish embryos were employed as a biological model to investigate the potential toxicity of co-exposure to microplastics and plastic additives on embryonic and cardiac development. These findings indicated that the simultaneous exposure to PS and DEHP markedly diminished the heart rate, survival rate, and impeded the hatching process. The combined exposure group exhibited elevated levels of oxidative stress and an increased number of apoptotic cells. Fluorescence photography of zebrafish embryos revealed an increase in the distance of SV-BA in combined exposure. Transcriptomics analysis revealed a reduction in the expression of yeats4, a gene involved in regulating DNA damage response and cell death. Metabolomics analysis revealed that amino acid metabolism plays a critical role in the toxic effects of combined PS and DEHP exposure on zebrafish larvae, while the Apelin signaling pathway, vascular smooth muscle contraction, and calcium ion signaling pathway may be key pathways involved in the cardiac toxic effects of PS and DEHP co-exposure in zebrafish larvae.

PMID:40819401 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118867

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2025 Aug 16;51(5):147. doi: 10.1007/s10695-025-01559-y.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs), including microbeads (MBs) and heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), are persistent marine pollutants that can interact synergistically, with MPs facilitating metal adsorption and transportation. Korean rockfish, an important commercial species, inhabits coastal waters and is susceptible to various external pollutants. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of co-exposure to MBs and Cd on the accumulation of these contaminants and physiological stress responses in Korean rockfish. Juvenile Korean rockfish were exposed to either a control, single treatments of MBs (5 beads/L [MB5] or 50 beads/L [MB50]) or Cd (0.2 mg/L [Cd0.2] or 0.4 mg/L [Cd0.4]), or their combined treatments (MB5 + Cd0.2, MB5 + Cd0.4, MB50 + Cd0.2, and MB50 + Cd0.4) for 5 days. After exposure, MBs and Cd accumulations in the gill and intestine were significantly higher in the MB50 + Cd0.4 than those in the other combined-exposure groups at all time points (p < 0.05 for all). Compared with the control treatment, the combined treatments significantly increased the levels of plasma glucose, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase, and mRNA expression of heat shock protein 70 and metallothionein in the liver (p < 0.05 for all), with the MB50 + Cd0.4 treatment exhibiting the highest values for most parameters. Comet assays also showed significantly increased DNA damage in combined-exposure groups compared with those in single-exposure groups (p < 0.05 for all). These findings highlight that co-exposure to MBs and Cd enhances Cd bioaccumulation, toxicity, and DNA damage, underscoring the risks associated with marine pollutant mixtures and their implications for environmental monitoring and coastal management.

PMID:40817950 | DOI:10.1007/s10695-025-01559-y

Carbohydr Polym. 2025 Nov 1;367:123994. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123994. Epub 2025 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

Disposable plastics make up 80 % of marine waste, threatening aquatic ecosystems. Over time, these plastics decompose into harmful microplastics (MPs), which can potentially enter the human body. This study presents a novel PLA-CO_x coating (where 'x' represents the concentration of cellulose nanocrystals and organically modified montmorillonite (CNC-OMMT)), designed to enhance the performance of paper straws by mimicking Chinese candle dip molding. Incorporating CNC-OMMT encourages crystallization through interface-induced dynamics and multi-level interactions within the PLA structure. At the same time, the strong layer-by-layer interactions between the paper fiber network and the PLA-CO_x composite have led to an impressive tensile strength of up to 48 MPa. The water absorption rate after 120 min is only 4.4 %, and the migration rate in various beverage simulants remains within the standard limit. Notably, the PLA-CO_x composite straws exhibited a degradation rate of 50.7 % in soil within three months. Additionally, the discarded straws effectively captured polystyrene microplastics (PS MPs) in water through physical entrapment and chemical adsorption, demonstrating a stable and efficient capture efficiency of 45.8 % over 12 h, thereby achieving sustainable waste management.

PMID:40817536 | DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123994

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 12;496:139537. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139537. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The impact of inhaled microplastics has emerged as a public health concern, however, the environmental sources contributing to the pulmonary microplastic burden remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations between environmental sources and inhaled microplastics. A total of 454 participants undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy in Zhuhai, China, were recruited, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected. Microplastics in BALF were analyzed using laser direct infrared imaging spectrometry, and geospatial data were used to assess the distance from each participant's residence to roads, coastlines, and industrial parks. Linear regression models were applied to quantify the associations between each environmental exposure source and inhaled microplastics. Of the 454 participants, microplastics were detected in 96.26 % of BALF samples, with polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride being the most prevalent types. Each 10-unit increase in distance to the nearest branch road and coastline was associated with a 0.46 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.83 %, -0.08 %) and 27.57 % (95 % CI: -40.59 %, -11.69 %) decrease in total microplastics, respectively. These findings identify key environmental contributors to inhaled microplastics and underscore the need to address airborne microplastic exposure in environmental health policy and urban planning.

PMID:40818227 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139537

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Aug 16;47(9):391. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02710-7.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are becoming more prevalent in soils. MPs can alter soil pH and soil pore structure. A lot of studies lately have identified and quantified MP occurrence in areas of variable community settlement, such as rural areas with excessive farming and fewer human populations. However, there are limited studies on the spatial distribution of MPs in urban areas along a stream. So, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence, characteristics, and distribution of MPs in soils across 3 different land-use types (high schools, park playgrounds, and residential areas) along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, the biggest city in Korea. Overall, 12 samples (4 per land-use type) were collected, pretreated, and analysed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results revealed that the average concentration of MPs in soil samples in high schools was 62-824 items/kg, 129-5083 items/kg in parks, and 179-2006 items/kg in residential areas. The predominant shape of MPs were fragments, and with variable colours such as: black, white, beige, and grey, and natural being the most prominent colour. The patterns of size distribution varied significantly across the land-use types, and different MP polymers showed varied occurrences, with polypropylene (PP) being the predominant polymer. From the result it was inferred that land-use type significantly affecting MP particle size distribution in soils (p = 0.009). Common sources of MP, such as synthetic textile, plastic waste, synthetic turfs and degradation from playground equipment's, contributes to their presence in these environments.

PMID:40817980 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02710-7

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 15;221:118538. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118538. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Approximately 98 % of microplastics (MP) entering the marine environment originate from human activities on land, such as untreated wastewater discharges. Polluted water is used by ships as ballast. This article describes research in which MP was detected in purified ballast water (BW) samples before discharging overboard. It demonstrates that MP can be unknowingly and inadvertently transported and disposed of in other waters worldwide, increasing pollution risks and threatening ecosystems and human health. The MP identified by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR) originates from plastic products that undergo slight degradation in the marine environment but break down into smaller fragments. SEM/EDS analysis revealed signs of degradation of these particles and the presence of heavy chemical elements on their surfaces. Ballast water samples collected from five ships involved in the study were isolated with an average of n = 26 particles per litre. Considering that the average ballast water volume per ship is approximately 36,000 m³, the total MP released can be estimated at n = 936 million particles, which is a significant amount. The results prompted the authors to develop technical improvements to the ships' ballast water treatment systems to limit the spread of pollution. The model developed is also discussed in this article. The current work indicates the characterisation of ballast water and highlights an area where extensive further research is necessary.

PMID:40818349 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118538

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 15;221:118585. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118585. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic pollution is a growing concern, as the fragmented parts of synthetic materials (namely, microplastics MPs and nanoplastics NPs) appear ubiquitous in the marine environment. Although many existing studies of MPs and NPs have examined the issue, not all mechanisms of polymers' fate, transport, degradation, and impact on biota have been clarified. Thus, within this research, the remote and relatively unbiased area, which is not heavily affected by the problem, was chosen to monitor the problem of microplastics at its very origin and better understand this phenomenon and the gradual development of MP pollution. Plastic macro fragments, visible within the naked eye survey, were collected in five sites within the Falklands: Saunders Island and East Falkland. One additional point chosen on West Falkland did not contain visible plastic particles. All samples were spectrally identified and characterized (by Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and ATR-FTIR methods). Ghost nets and tourists' littering were dominant local sources. The dominant types of polymers were PE and PP. Different levels of degradation were observed within the subsets of collected materials. In conclusion, one may better classify environmental plastic as a secondary source of microplastics, understand the origin of MPs' presence, and model the future situation on the archipelago. Finally, suggestions for mitigation strategies and research development in this area are provided.

PMID:40818347 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118585

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Aug 15;998:180267. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180267. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this paper we highlight some fundamental aspects regarding the role of polymer science in the behavior of microplastics (MP) and in understanding the effects of MP on the environment and on the health of humans and other living species. We stress that MP is not just another type of microparticle that affects our environment. Instead, MP has polymer-specific interactions with the environment and living species, which cannot be fully understood without polymer science. We emphasize here the most important areas (nomenclature and terminology; MP's identification and characterization; fragmentation mechanism; environmental fate and transport; risk assessment; remediation; and alternative solutions) for the plastic waste and microplastics problem, which can be solved only through the combined efforts of all experts, including polymer scientists.

PMID:40818392 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180267

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Aug 15;998:180249. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180249. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Here, we assessed patterns of microplastics (MP; particles <5 mm) and microfibers (MF; fibers <5 mm) within benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes collected from a polluted urban stream (10-km segment; n = 5 reaches; 200-m reach lengths). Our first objective was to describe patterns of MPs and MFs for four predominant macroinvertebrate taxa to estimate the quantities of plastics in the prey resource pool. Our second objective was to test whether plastic concentrations (#/g of fillet; wet mass) increase (i.e., bioaccumulation hypothesis) or decrease (i.e., growth-dilution hypothesis) in stream fishes across a gradient of body lengths. Both MF and MP were documented in all invertebrate and fish taxa examined (but not necessarily all individuals), with MF consistently outnumbering MP. Scaling plastic burdens to the area of a stream reach (800 m²) revealed that the four predominant benthic invertebrates accounted for an estimated 100,000 MF and 23,120 MPs within the prey resource pool. For stream fishes, we found that most individuals had MPs and MF in their fillets. Furthermore, MP and MF concentrations declined with increasing body length providing evidence for the growth dilution hypothesis. However, we also found that MFs and MPs declined at different rates (i.e., test of heterogeneity of slopes) in one fish species, suggesting additional biological processes may expel plastics as fish grow larger. Overall, our findings revealed that bioaccumulation was not occurring because concentrations did not increase. Instead, growth-dilution appears to be a predominant factor, but our analysis also suggests other biological processes are causing the expulsion of MPs and MFs.

PMID:40818394 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180249

Carbohydr Polym. 2025 Nov 1;367:124046. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124046. Epub 2025 Jul 9.

ABSTRACT

Currently, we are facing global challenges like petrochemical resource depletion and plastic products induced environmental issues. Especially, the commonly used disposable straws in daily life represent potential issues like other plastic products. Overuse and inadequate handling of disposable straws could add burden to environmental problems due to their non-recyclability in most areas and incomplete biodegradability. Therefore, it is important to find a high-performance alternative to eliminate plastic straw-related environmental problems. Cellulose based derivative materials are recognized as sustainable substitutes for plastics, yet the hydrophilic nature restricts their application as straws. To solve this problem, this study introduces a microplastic-free straw made from ethyl cellulose (EC) enhanced bacterial cellulose (BC). This fabricated EC enhanced BC based straw exhibits improved mechanical properties with bending strength up to 66.82 MPa, good hydrophobicity with water contact angle up to 110°, and favorable heat resistance compared to raw BC based straws. These enhancements are attributed to its three-dimensional nanofiber network structure and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. Moreover, it can degrade completely decomposition within 20 days compared to the commercially available polylactic acid-based straw in soil. This EC enhanced BC based drinking straw is a health-conscious and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic straws.

PMID:40817500 | DOI:10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124046

Food Chem Toxicol. 2025 Aug 14;205:115703. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115703. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

While the potential microplastic toxicity has attracted considerable research attention, studies on its chronic reproductive effects in male mammals remain limited. Here, we investigated the chronic reproductive toxicity of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs, 5 μm) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, 20 nm) both in vitro, using GC2 cells, and in vivo, employing male C57 mice. Histopathological analysis revealed dilated seminiferous tubules, disorganized spermatocytes, and reduced spermatocyte counts in treated groups. Consistently, sperm count and motility were significantly decreased following PS-MPs and PS-NPs exposure. These effects were closely associated with spermatocyte senescence, as indicated by β-galactosidase activity and the markers of telomerase inhibition, DNA damage, and cell cycle arrest. Mechanistically, PS-MPs and PS-NPs trigger spermatocyte senescence through activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrate that PS-MPs and PS-NPs cause structural damage and spermatogenic dysfunction in mouse testes, potentially mediated by spermatocyte senescence through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

PMID:40818636 | DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2025.115703

J Dairy Sci. 2025 Aug 14:S0022-0302(25)00617-4. doi: 10.3168/jds.2025-26435. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic is widespread in our lives, releasing various microplastics (MP) with toxicity. In recent years, the potential threat of MP on the reproductive system has aroused public concern. Numerous reports have focused on its damage to spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, the toxicity of MP on female reproduction is unclear. Here, we explored this question using bovine oocyte. Through immunofluorescence staining, the results revealed that MP disrupts spindle organization, chromosome alignment, and actin assembly, leading to failed maturation of bovine oocytes. Concurrently, abnormal expression and localization of cortical granules suggest a failure of cytoplasmic maturation. Therefore, embryonic development is affected. Utilizing single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology, we found that MP induced changes in the expression of mitochondrial-related genes, reflecting the damage of MP are mediated by mitochondrial functions. The MP indeed causes oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis. Taurine is capable of stabilizing cellular antioxidant levels. Our results suggest that taurine can inhibit mitochondrial dysfunction, reversing the failure of oocyte maturation and embryo development following MP exposure. Collectively, we reveal the reproduction toxicity of MP on bovine oocytes and demonstrate the restorative effect of taurine against MP.

PMID:40818686 | DOI:10.3168/jds.2025-26435

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 14;384:126991. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126991. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Road dust (RD) is a major contributor to urban environmental pollution. Among its constituents, tire and road wear microplastics (TRWMPs) and phthalates are of increasing concern due to their adverse impacts on human health and ecosystems. This study presents the first integrated analysis of TRWMPs and phthalates in inhalable PM₁₀ RD, collected from industrial and residential areas in Seoul, Korea. Mean TRWMP concentrations were higher in industrial areas (18 mg/g) than in residential areas (16 mg/g), reflecting the influence of truck-bus radial (TBR) vehicles, which have greater tire wear emission factors than passenger car radial (PCR) vehicles. However, elevated styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) to natural rubber ratios in PM₁₀ compared to PM₇₅ RD suggest that PCR vehicles contribute more to the formation of smaller TRWMP particles, as PCR tires generally contain more SBR than TBR tires. Phthalates were detected at notable concentrations (mean: 245 μg/g), with bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as the dominant species, followed by diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). A moderate positive correlation between DEHP and TRWMPs indicates that traffic-related emissions may be a key source. Additionally, a pronounced DBP-SBR correlation in residential areas suggests PCR vehicles as major DBP contributors. Estimated atmospheric emissions of PM₁₀ TRWMPs (61,194 kg/yr) and phthalates (756 kg/yr) underscore their significance as urban airborne contaminants. This study offers novel insights into the characteristics, spatial distribution, and co-occurrence of TRWMPs and phthalates in PM₁₀ RD, providing a foundation for assessing their environmental and health impacts and for developing targeted mitigation strategies in urban environments.

PMID:40818584 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126991

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2025 Aug 14:1-32. doi: 10.1159/000547873. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are a new type of environmental pollutants that has received considerable attention recently because of their widespread presence and potential health risks. Microplastics pose significant risks to human health, particularly by triggering and exacerbating allergic reactions. This review summarizes the current knowledge about how microplastics relate to allergic conditions. It explores the sources and exposure routes of microplastics, their impacts on the immune system, and their association with allergic diseases. Additionally, this review emphasizes the urgent need for future research to clarify the mechanisms involved in these interactions and provides insights that may help shape public health policies.

PMID:40815120 | DOI:10.1159/000547873

Soft Matter. 2025 Aug 15. doi: 10.1039/d5sm00488h. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Molecular interaction with micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) is an important chemical process that dictates the fate and transport of organic contaminants, and that of MNPs, within the aquatic environment. In this study, adsorption of cationic, anionic, and neutrally charged organic molecules from aqueous solution to model microplastics (MPs) is presented. Second harmonic generation, an interfacial selective laser-based technique that allows in situ measurements of adsorption isotherms, has been used. Polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microplastic particles with distinct charge characteristics were chosen. PS MPs investigated include distinct surface functional groups such as -OSO₃, -COOH, mixed -NH₂/-COOH, and amidine. Thus, the effect of different types of electrostatic interactions on adsorption have been analyzed. Comparison of adsorption Gibbs free energy for these MPs reveals that Coulombic attraction is important for spontaneous adsorption. However, distribution of water at the interfacial region, and functional group dependent interactions determine the magnitude of binding strengths. Entropic (ΔS_ads) and enthalpic (ΔH_ads) contributions to spontaneous adsorption have been determined by analyzing temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms. We show that ΔH_ads and ΔS_ads are dependent on the interfacial chemical composition of MPs and are not constant with respect to temperature. Although of varying degrees, MPs studied show an increase in entropy upon adsorption of organic molecules. These findings hint at a plausible influence of hair-like structure, common in polymeric soft matter, on the adsorption mechanism. This systematic study thus underscores unique colloidal features of the plastic/aqueous interface that are critical in adsorption of organic molecules by microplastics.

PMID:40815281 | DOI:10.1039/d5sm00488h

Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2025 Aug 15. doi: 10.1039/d5em00260e. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Our study investigated the interactions between colloids present in various aquatic environments and the surface of microplastics (MPs), with a specific focus on their behavior in tap water, lake water and marine water systems. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "eco-corona". Polypropylene microplastics, although extensively utilized in various applications, have been less studied than polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics. The prepared polypropylene microplastics were characterized by ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, and the formation of eco-corona was monitored at specific time intervals (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h). Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to measure the corresponding fluorescence intensity. Further investigations through FTIR spectroscopy revealed a reduction or complete disappearance of the characteristic polymer peaks upon suspension in natural water systems. Eco-coronated MPs exhibit more cadmium adsorption than raw MPs. The combined exposure of eco-coronated MPs and cadmium to the brine shrimp Artemia leads to the bioaccumulation of microplastics. At its peak concentration (0.5 mg mL^-1), both weathered and true-to-life microplastics significantly increased reactive oxygen species production (p < 0.001) in a concentration-dependent manner. Similarly, superoxide dismutase activity increased in a dose-dependent manner, with weathered microplastics showing significant elevation (p < 0.001). Conversely, total protein content was reduced at higher concentrations of both weathered and true-to-life microplastics. The interaction between microplastics and biomolecules/colloids diminishes their presence in the environment, acts as a vector for pollutants, and mimics food for aquatic organisms. Additionally, it facilitates bioaccumulation in lower-to-higher aquatic organisms and contributes to the collapse of the food web.

PMID:40815187 | DOI:10.1039/d5em00260e

Water Res. 2025 Aug 6;287(Pt A):124362. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124362. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tire microplastics (TMPs) significantly contribute to global plastic pollution, entering aquatic environments primarily through runoff, where they pose potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. Beyond the particles themselves, TMPs-derived leachates further exacerbate environmental risks. Despite growing concern over plastic pollution, the influences of TMPs and their leachates on aquatic systems remain largely understudied. To address this gap, we systematically evaluated how TMPs and their leachate (0∼1 % w/v) affect the growth, physiochemical responses, and phyllosphere bacterial community of model aquatic macrophyte duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), using natural particulate wood as a control. Our findings reveal that both unleached TMPs and leachates exerted detrimental effects on the growth of S. polyrhiza and inhibited the production of photosynthetic pigments. Unleached TMPs and leachate exposures triggered oxidative stress, as evidenced by alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels. Notably, leached TMPs enhanced plant growth comparably to wood particulates, suggesting their potential to generate favorable conditions for aquatic plants at prevailing concentrations. Phyllosphere bacterial composition exhibited significant differences among treatments; TMPs exposures increased Aquabacterium abundance but induced a dose-dependent decrease in Pedobacter. Also, exposure to TMPs substantially altered the metabolic processes within phyllosphere bacterial communities, particularly affecting key microbial functions linked to nutrient metabolism, xenobiotic degradation, and stress adaptation. The correlations between plant properties and phyllosphere bacterial communities varied depending on the treatments, suggesting that the dual effects of TMPs may be attributed to the dissolved substances in the leachates. This study elucidates the complex interactions among TMPs, aquatic macrophytes, and phyllosphere microbiomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the ecological consequences of TMP pollution in freshwater environments.

PMID:40816017 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124362

Water Res. 2025 Aug 12;287(Pt A):124396. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124396. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides are widely distributed in sediments and can interact with each other to form complex pollutants, thereby altering their environmental impacts. However, it remains unclear whether this process affects the microbial degradation of MPs and pesticides. In this study, 90-day microcosm incubation experiment was conducted using polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and atrazine (ATZ). MPs were recovered from the sediments after incubation. Metagenomic analysis was subsequently conducted to investigate the plastisphere microbes, while chemical characterization was performed to examine the surface structure of MPs. It was found that ATZ adsorption increased the mass loss of MPs by 47.37%, 139.44%, 174.67%, and 284.00% for PS, PE, PET, and PLA, respectively. Metagenomic binning analysis revealed that plastispheres enriched MPs and ATZ-degrading microbes, including Glycine, Aquabacterium, Azospirillum, and Pantoea, which carried degradation genes (PaaA, PaaK, PaaG, HSD17B4, alkR, ALDH, and aprE). All four types of MPs were degraded to acetyl-CoA by these functional microbes with distinct metabolic pathways. Acetyl-CoA and the ATZ-derived intermediates (hydroxyatrazine, cyanuric acid, and N-isopropylammelide) involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, facilitating the co-metabolism of MPs and ATZ. The study provides a new insight into the degradation mechanism of MPs in the presence of other emerging contaminants.

PMID:40816011 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124396

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Aug 12;496:139546. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139546. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Coastal bays are key areas for microplastic pollution in nearshore environments. This study compiled and analyzed microplastic data from 322 sampling stations across 13 bays in China, including 311 stations from published literature and 11 newly sampled stations in Xiamen Bay. 3 distinct water sampling methods-trawling, pumping, and conventional point sampling-were compared to evaluate pollution characteristics, driving factors, and emission trends. The results indicate that microplastics in Chinese bays show a heterogeneous distribution, with average pollution levels, diversity indices, and potential ecological risk indices being moderate compared to global averages. The choice of sampling method significantly affects the abundance of microplastics, but does not generally influence the diversity or potential ecological risks of microplastics. The bays with intensive aquaculture activities or adjacent to highly urbanized regions tend to exhibit higher microplastic diversity. Factors such as extensive aquaculture area, high surface current speed, extended water semi-exchange time, and low seawater exchange rates contribute to the increased abundance of microplastics in these bays. Between 2017 and 2021, China's average monthly GDP per capita was approximately 5778.78 RMB (∼853 USD). The relationship between plastic emissions in Chinese bays and monthly GDP per capita follows an inverted-U shaped relationship-consistent with the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis. Emissions are projected to peak at around 11,707.99 RMB (∼1729 USD) monthly GDP per capita and decline thereafter with continued economic growth and environmental policy interventions. We believe that enhancing public environmental awareness, formulating localized plastic waste reduction policies, and promoting technological innovation in relevant industries can mitigate microplastic pollution.

PMID:40816172 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139546

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Jul 30;496:139392. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139392. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The dissemination of scientific knowledge depends on the ability of the authors, reviewers and publishers to provide available information and data to readers and mistakes, if not discovered, it will affect the academic quality of the paper. Recently, Liu et al. published an important academic paper that investigated the adsorption behavior of thiram by four common types of microplastics (MPs) and its hazardous change after that adsorption. However, the thermodynamic parameters of ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS need to be corrected because their data in Table 4 did not support their thermodynamic conclusions. In the present study, the value of ΔG was confirmed based on the thermodynamic calculation principle and the description of the thermodynamic results by Liu et al., then the values of ΔH, and ΔS were recalculated using the confirmed ΔG values. After the above corrections, the contradiction between the data and the conclusion has been resolved. In addition, the present study provided a method for calculating ΔG° using the standard equilibrium constant K°, thereby eliminating the errors caused by non-standard equilibrium constant. There is a growing need to enhance scientific rigor across many fields of scientific research. Rigorous scientific papers need to demonstrate creative experimental designs, but also provide precise results. Here, we just do that.

PMID:40816189 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139392

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 13;384:126987. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126987. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread pollutants in marine environments, with their vertical distribution strongly influenced by biological interactions such as aggregation with phytoplankton. This study experimentally examined the effects of the harmful algal bloom (HAB) species Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) on the aggregation, sinking, and resuspension of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) MPs. Aggregate formation, MP sinking velocity, and sinking ratio were evaluated over a 92-day period, and the resuspension of settled aggregates was subsequently examined under low-temperature (12 °C) conditions. Aggregation was primarily driven by intracellular materials released during C. marina cell lysis, promoting MP binding and large aggregate formation. Low-density spherical PE particles (PE1.0) exhibited a logistic sinking pattern, reaching a maximum sinking ratio of 9 % with a half-saturation time of 13 days. In contrast, small PP fragments showed negligible sedimentation (<1 %). Aggregate size, sinking velocity, and MP count per aggregate did not differ significantly among spherical PE particles of varying densities (P > 0.05). During the decline phase, larger aggregates sank faster, reaching up to 76.9 m·day^-1. A strong positive correlation was found between C. marina chlorophyll a (Chl. a) concentration and PE1.0 sinking ratio (R² = 0.92, P < 0.05), suggesting Chl. a as a proxy for aggregation-inducing substances during senescence. MP aggregates remained structurally stable for three months under dark, low-temperature conditions, with no degradation or resuspension. Aggregate number remained constant over the final 60 days (P > 0.05), indicating microbial resistance. These findings establish sedimentation thresholds and provide empirical data to improve models of MP vertical flux and fate.

PMID:40816459 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126987

Environ Pollut. 2025 Aug 13;384:126989. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126989. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Accurate classification of environmental microplastics (MPs) from FTIR spectra remains challenging due to spectral variability, environmental weathering, and the limitations of existing models in capturing both local and global spectral features. This study proposes a hybrid deep learning framework that integrates convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Transformer models to classify MPs based on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The CNN component efficiently captures local spectral patterns, while the Transformer module models long-range dependencies and global contextual relationships across the full spectral range. This sequential hybrid architecture combines the complementary strengths of CNN and Transformer, enhancing feature extraction and improving classification robustness. We constructed a diverse spectral dataset containing 17 polymer types derived from soil, air, sediment, and water matrices. The proposed model achieved a high classification accuracy of 95.77 % on the validation set, outperforming traditional machine learning methods. The model's robustness was further confirmed through 50 independent trials, demonstrating stable and reproducible performance. These results indicate that the CNN-Transformer architecture not only improves predictive performance but also ensures generalizability across diverse environmental conditions. This integrated approach offers a reliable and scalable solution for the rapid identification of MPs across diverse environmental contexts, with potential implications for pollution monitoring and regulatory assessment.

PMID:40816460 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126989

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Aug 14:118552. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118552. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40816915 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118552