Microplastics

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 12:127256. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127256. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PER: and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that frequently co-occur in aquatic ecosystems and human exposure pathways. While their individual toxicities have been extensively studied, the combined effects of PFAS and MP co-exposure on human health remain poorly understood. This study evaluated cytotoxic, oxidative, and genotoxic responses in five human-derived cell lines-A498 (kidney), HepG2 (liver), PC3 (prostate), A431 (skin), and A549 (lung)-following exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (GenX), polystyrene, and low-density polyethylene, both individually and in mixtures. Our findings showed potential synergistic effects were observed primarily in kidney and liver cell lines, including increased reactive oxygen species production, elevated antioxidant gene expression, and activation of DNA repair pathways.. Mixture toxicity was dependent on both dose and PFAS-to-MP ratio, with synergistic responses predominating. A498 cells consistently showed greater sensitivity than HepG2 across all toxicity endpoints, including increased ROS, antioxidant gene expression, and activation of DNA repair pathways. HepG2 cells exhibited more limited oxidative stress responses but showed significant DNA damage and H2AX upregulation in select treatments. Gene expression data suggest differential activation of redox and DNA damage response pathways between the two cell types. These findings highlight the need to incorporate mixture toxicity into risk assessments and identify oxidative stress and genotoxicity as central mechanisms of concern in PFAS and MP co-exposure.

PMID:41086909 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127256

J Agric Food Chem. 2025 Oct 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c11270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic particles can be released from food containers, potentially contaminating food and leading to human exposure through ingestion. While microplastics (MPs, 1-5000 μm) release has been widely studied, data on nanoplastics (NPs, < 1 μm) remain limited due to analytical challenges associated with their small size. This study investigated the release of NPs from Australian-sourced polypropylene (PP) food storage containers under simulated-use conditions. Total mass concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 3.7 μg/L for NPs and 0.4 to 10.8 μg/L for MPs, with higher concentrations observed after rinsing containers with Milli-Q water at 90 °C compared to at room temperature. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) revealed heterogeneous particle size distributions (122-397 nm). Crucially, PP NPs were isolated via asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation with multiangle light scattering (AF4-MALS) and chemically confirmed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC-MS/MS). This multitechnique approach allowed both quantitative and chemical characterization of the released particles. The findings provide clear evidence of PP nanoplastic release under typical usage conditions and highlight a potential route for human exposure. This work advances our understanding of nanoplastic contamination from plastic food packaging and underscores the importance of assessing NP release in exposure and risk assessments.

PMID:41084274 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.5c11270

Environ Toxicol. 2025 Oct 14. doi: 10.1002/tox.24569. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of microplastics pollution is a significant environmental challenge. However, the effects of these particles on learning and memory remain poorly understood. The aim of this investigation was to ascertain the influence of miR-532-5p on cognitive and memory deficits induced by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and to identify the underlying mechanisms. PS-MPs were administrated orally to male rats at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 8 weeks. In the treatment group, miR-532-5p was injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) at a dose of 2.5 μg/2.5 μL. To assess the effects of PS-MPs exposure on learning and memory functions, the novel object discrimination (NOD), Y-maze, and Barnes maze tests were used, which showed a detrimental effect on the subjects' learning and memory abilities. In the hippocampal tissue of the rats exposed to PS-MPs, the levels of MDA, protein carbonyl, nitrite, TNFα, NLRP3, Caspase 1, caspase 3, and GFAP were increased, and levels of SOD, catalase, SIRT1, and BDNF were decreased. In addition, exposure to PS-MPs increased AChE activity, activated the PERK/GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway, and inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Conversely, ICV injection of miR-532-5p led to a reversal of the hippocampal levels of all aforementioned factors. Therefore, exposure to PS-MPs can affect learning and memory functions by inducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ER stress, and treatment with miR-532-5p can restore learning and memory through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-pyroptosis properties.

PMID:41084400 | DOI:10.1002/tox.24569

Anal Chem. 2025 Oct 14. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c04341. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this work, single-event microwave-induced nitrogen plasma-mass spectrometry (single-event MINP-MS) was evaluated for the first time for the analysis of discrete entities such as nanoparticles, biological cells, and microplastics. Nitrogen (N₂) effectively overcomes Ar-based polyatomic interferences, enabling (ultra)trace element determination of Fe and Se using their most abundant isotopes, ⁵⁶Fe (91.66%) and ⁸⁰Se (49.82%). Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃ NPs) ranging from 20 to 70 nm were accurately characterized, with excellent agreement with established sizing techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). A limit of detection (LoD) of 8.6 ag for Fe─equivalent to an LoD_size of 19 nm for Fe₂O₃─was achieved, which is significantly lower than recent values reported for high-end quadrupole-based ICP-MS. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) of 150 and 250 nm were also accurately characterized, without the N₂-based plasma experiencing issues handling relatively large metallic NPs (linearity, R² = 0.9994). Se-enriched yeast cells (SELM-1 certified reference material) were successfully analyzed via single-cell MINP-MS using external calibration based on SeNPs and a transport efficiency-independent approach. In addition, 2-3 μm polystyrene (PS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were accurately sized by monitoring ¹²C⁺, confirming the method's suitability for handling micrometer-sized polymeric materials (microplastics). The average duration of individual events (680 ± 160 μs) suggests that the digestion of individual entities in N₂-based plasmas is comparable to that in Ar-based plasmas. These results open new avenues for this instrumentation as an alternative to ICP ionization sources, also in the context of discrete entity analysis.

PMID:41084806 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c04341

Ecotoxicology. 2025 Oct 14. doi: 10.1007/s10646-025-02982-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41085888 | DOI:10.1007/s10646-025-02982-w

Ann Glob Health. 2025 Oct 3;91(1):69. doi: 10.5334/aogh.4861. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Microplastics, plastic particles <5 mm in size, are a new class of environmental pollutants and have a role in systemic and oral health. Their implication in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases has only recently been addressed. Objective: This review will discuss recent evidence of the modes of action by which microplastics may be involved in the onset and development of periodontal diseases. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed up to May 2025 using keywords "microplastics," "nanoplastics," "oral health," "periodontal disease," "oxidative stress," "dysbiosis," "DNA damage response," and "immune response" in the title, abstract, or keywords. According to PRISMA guidelines, 235 articles were retrieved, and 210 remained after duplicates were discarded. A total of 150 were removed after title/abstract screening. Sixty full-text articles were reviewed, and 30 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Results: The existing evidence indicates that microplastics may induce periodontal pathology via several potential mechanisms, including (i) mechanical irritation of the surface of the gingival tissues, (ii) emission of toxic additives that cause oxidative stress, (iii) activation of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, (iv) imbalance in the microbial community, and (v) immune regulation. These pathways intersect to enhance inflammation, tissue destruction, and dysbiosis, which culminate in the progression of periodontal disease. Conclusions: It is suggested that microplastics are one of the potential epiphenomena of periodontal diseases. However, original experimental data are limited, especially with reference to immunological interactions. Future in-vitro and clinical investigations are urgently needed to confirm these mechanistic hypotheses and to foster preventive and therapeutic approaches.

PMID:41079032 | PMC:PMC12513363 | DOI:10.5334/aogh.4861

PLoS One. 2025 Oct 13;20(10):e0334546. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334546. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Direct observations confirm that admixtures of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) and microplastics (MPs) are fully oxidized during Elemental analysis (EA), with measured carbon yields, % carbon [%C], C:N ratios, stable- (δ13C) and radiocarbon (Δ14C) abundances consistent with predictions for SOM samples intentionally contaminated with plastic. As an example, MPs would comprise ~40% of all carbon atoms measured via EA in a 100 μg SOM sample (1% OC by mass) that has been contaminated with only 1 μg of polyethylene (PE = 77% C by mass). This MP contamination, amounting to just 1% of the total sample mass, would lower the sample's Δ14C by 258‰ to -622 ‰, lower the sample's δ13C by -3.65‰ to -25.22‰, and overestimate its conventional 14C age by ~4000 years. Moreover, this 1% MP contamination would imply a terrestrial source contribution of ~ 60% instead of the 20% for an uncontaminated SOM sample. Our results illustrate how these errors scale predictably with MP contamination level and dominant polymer types. While large errors might be recognized as outliers and scrutinized, even small levels of contamination (e.g., 0.1% by mass) can introduce significant but subtle errors that could go unnoticed (e.g., Δ¹⁴C error of -30‰). Most carbon biogeochemistry studies do not routinely recognize the presence of MPs in environmental samples, despite the ubiquity of MP in the ocean and their potential impact on measurements. Consequently, MP contamination either naturally-occurring in field samples or introduced while sampling and processing will necessarily lead to errors in organic matter characterization, source apportionment, and estimates of conventional 14C ages.

PMID:41082560 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0334546

Water Res. 2025 Oct 3;288(Pt B):124716. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124716. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Accurate quantification of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in laboratory and environmental samples remains challenging, particularly in complex matrices such as clay. While ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectrophotometry (FS) are widely used due to their simplicity and high throughput, their reliability diminishes in the presence of clay. Existing separation methods are often ineffective for MP/NPs and may introduce additional errors during the measurement process. Advanced analytical techniques have shown high accuracy for monodisperse MP/NP solutions, yet their reliability in clay-rich environments remains untested. This study evaluates two such techniques, flow cytometry (FCM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) - in both fluorescence and non-Fluorescence modes, alongside UV-Vis and FS, assessing their performance in measuring polystyrene (PS) MP/NPs (0.1-5 µm) at varying concentrations, in the presence of kaolinite, montmorillonite and bentonite clays. Tests with clay-free monodisperse MP solutions indicated that UV-vis and FS can measure wide range of MP size and concentrations, while NTA and FCM showed effective detection within narrower size range, 〈 0.5 µm and 〉 0.5 µm, respectively. The presence of clay adversely affected all methods to varying extents. UV-Vis was the most susceptible, with errors exceeding 10 % at PS/clay mass ratios above ∼ 1. In contrast, FCM was the least affected due to its ability to distinguish particles based on size, shape, and granularity. Fluorescence-based detection offered a clear advantage in separating MPs from clay interference, allowing FS, NTA, and FCM to show improved measurement accuracy compared to non-fluorescent based measurements. However, FS accuracy declined as PS/clay ratio dropped below 0.01 due to autofluorescence from clays. Overall, FCM emerged as the most suitable method for rapid and reliable quantification of MP/NPs in clay-rich matrices, using both fluorescent and non-fluorescent detection modes. These findings provide direct practical advantage for laboratory-scale investigations and a foundation for developing protocols for fast, accurate MP/NP quantification in clay rich environmental matrices.

PMID:41076759 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124716

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 10:127223. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127223. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP) pollution has permeated virtually all aspects of life on earth - from high altitude clouds and arctic ice cores to single celled algae and unborn fetuses. Compared to MPs, the ability of NPs to infiltrate biological barriers such as the blood-brain and testes barriers is concerning to human health. Evidence of accumulation across human tissues has accrued, but the long-term health consequences are not well understood. Previously, we exposed zebrafish larvae to environmentally relevant doses of NPs (0 -10,000 parts per billion) for five days during early development, reporting NP accumulation, hyperactivity, and disruption of neuromuscular, metabolic, and epigenetic pathways immediately post-exposure. Here, we reared these developmentally exposed animals to adulthood, assessing reproductive capacity, offspring neurobehavior, and transcriptomics of brain and gonadal tissue for comparison. NP exposure impaired reproduction in adulthood: while high level exposure profoundly reduced overall spawning capacity, intermediate exposure also decreased fertilization of elicited eggs. Surviving offspring from the intermediate group were also hyperactive, like their parents, demonstrating a persistent and heritable neurobehavioral phenotype. Overall, far more significantly differentially expressed genes were found in adult tissues than in larvae; however, larval disruption of endocrine and neurological disease pathways persisted into adulthood. While female transcriptomics suggested recovery from early life NP exposure, male tissues were deleteriously and disproportionately affected. Male transcriptomics implicated neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Oxidative stress was a consistently present mechanism underlying persistent disruption and adult-onset pathologies.

PMID:41077166 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127223

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 10:127223. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127223. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP) pollution has permeated virtually all aspects of life on earth - from high altitude clouds and arctic ice cores to single celled algae and unborn fetuses. Compared to MPs, the ability of NPs to infiltrate biological barriers such as the blood-brain and testes barriers is concerning to human health. Evidence of accumulation across human tissues has accrued, but the long-term health consequences are not well understood. Previously, we exposed zebrafish larvae to environmentally relevant doses of NPs (0 -10,000 parts per billion) for five days during early development, reporting NP accumulation, hyperactivity, and disruption of neuromuscular, metabolic, and epigenetic pathways immediately post-exposure. Here, we reared these developmentally exposed animals to adulthood, assessing reproductive capacity, offspring neurobehavior, and transcriptomics of brain and gonadal tissue for comparison. NP exposure impaired reproduction in adulthood: while high level exposure profoundly reduced overall spawning capacity, intermediate exposure also decreased fertilization of elicited eggs. Surviving offspring from the intermediate group were also hyperactive, like their parents, demonstrating a persistent and heritable neurobehavioral phenotype. Overall, far more significantly differentially expressed genes were found in adult tissues than in larvae; however, larval disruption of endocrine and neurological disease pathways persisted into adulthood. While female transcriptomics suggested recovery from early life NP exposure, male tissues were deleteriously and disproportionately affected. Male transcriptomics implicated neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Oxidative stress was a consistently present mechanism underlying persistent disruption and adult-onset pathologies.

PMID:41077166 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127223

Chemosphere. 2025 Oct 11;390:144710. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144710. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In 2023, the European Commission published a ground-breaking restriction on the use of synthetic insoluble polymer microparticles (i.e., microplastics) that included fragrance microcapsules, despite its low contribution to the microplastic pool. Setting the bar for microplastic regulations, the restriction included a first-of-their-kind exemption for microparticles that met specified rules for proving biodegradability. Among the exemption to this restriction called for the polymer and all components of the polymer "blend" to be biodegradable, under specific testing methods. However, the restriction did not provide clear guidance to distinguish this "blend." In the present study, examples of fragrance microcapsules were used to introduce a rigorous purification method and a suite of analytical techniques such as FT-IR, SEC, GC, spectroscopy, amino acid (LC) and renewable carbon analysis (MS) in a weight of evidence (WOE) approach as means to provide clarity and differentiation of a "blend" vs a "non-blend". Biodegradation studies followed the OECD 310 specified by the European Commission for concluding polymer biodegradability. In one example, the fragrance microcapsule prepared through interfacial polymerization of polyisocyanate and gelatin, with 83 % biodegradation of the purified wall, was concluded as a "blend"; distinct layers of biodegradable biopolymer shell and a non-biodegradable polyurea shell. In another example, a new prepolymer process was developed between the polyisocyanate and gelatin to form a "non-blend" co-polymer, despite having similar starting materials, biodegradation results and morphologies versus the first microcapsule. This study highlights the necessity of the WOE for validating polymer composition to avoid false positive biodegradability conclusions. This approach may be extended to assessing the structure of any complex, insoluble polymeric material.

PMID:41076751 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144710

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 10;499:140096. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140096. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Conventional approaches for treating microplastics are often characterized as incomplete and insufficient, rendering it challenging to elucidate the aging processes and mechanisms of microplastics. We employed irradiation technology to establish a highly potent oxidation system that achieves complete aging of polypropylene microplastics within a short timeframe. The results demonstrate that gamma ray exhibits remarkably strong microplastics degradation capability, with a mass loss reaching 70.58 %. Moreover, distinct aging mechanisms were observed under varying irradiation conditions, confirming that the aging process of microplastics is influenced by the oxidative capacity of the system. As the oxidative strength changes, the generation and transformation sequence of oxygen-containing functional groups also varies. Specifically, gamma ray initially forms ether bonds, followed by the generation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups; in contrast, electron beam induces hydroxyl formation primarily through C-H bond cleavage before the emergence of other functional groups. The experiments further identified carbonyl groups as the principal sites for adsorption and transformation during the aging and adsorption processes. Because gamma ray preferentially produces carbonyl functionalities, it significantly enhances both the adsorption performance and the aging degree of polypropylene microplastics. Our findings provide new insights and foundation for understanding the aging and adsorption behaviors of microplastics.

PMID:41076914 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140096

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2025 Oct 11:1-31. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2025.2570786. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is highly resistant to biodegradation, posing significant environmental risks. Fortunately, enzymatic degradation of PET offers a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to mitigating this waste, requiring a deeper understanding of the enzymatic PET hydrolysis' binding modes and molecular mechanisms. This study evaluated the efficiency of lipase KV1 (LipKV1) variants in enhancing PET degradation through a comprehensive computational approach. Docking results revealed that variants Var9_PET (-6.2 kcal/mol), Var18_PET (-6.0 kcal/mol), and Var181_PET (-6.0 kcal/mol) exhibited higher binding affinities than the wild-type (-2.5 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations highlighted their remarkable stability and flexibility, supported by consistent RMSD (0.30 - 0.35 nm) and RMSF values (0.05 - 0.32 nm). Favorable Rg values (1.79 - 1.82 nm) also pointed to their compact and stable protein folding, while the SASA results showed reduced solvent exposure in the variants. The PET was tightly anchored within their hydrophobic active sites, with hydrogen bond distances remaining close to ∼0.25 nm. Var18 displayed the highest hydrogen bond occupancy for the key residue Ala216 (9.75%) than the wild-type (catalytic Ser165, 2.84%). Principal Component Analysis further revealed enhanced flexibility and dynamic motion in the lipase variants, suggesting improved adaptability for PET hydrolysis. These observations corresponded with the MM-PBSA results, showing marginally lower binding free energies for Var18_PET (-31.47 ± 0.54 kcal/mol) and Var181_PET (-31.58 ± 2.71 kcal/mol) than the wild-type (-29.24 ± 1.14 kcal/mol). Conclusively, the in silico findings underscore the LipKV1 variants' enhanced PET-binding affinity for microplastic degradation, warranting further experimental effectiveness validation.

PMID:41074743 | DOI:10.1080/07391102.2025.2570786

Water Res. 2025 Oct 6;288(Pt B):124735. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124735. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as persistent pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), accumulating in sludge and releasing microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) during sludge processing. This study presents the first source-specific quantification of MP-DOM in sludge liquor using ¹³C-labeled sludge and a stable carbon isotope tracing approach. Aerobic digestion experiments with ¹³C-labeled activated sludge, with and without polyethylene (PE) MPs, were conducted, followed by sludge conditioning treatments (Fenton oxidation, hydrothermal, and KMnO₄ oxidation). MP addition significantly increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release and shifted DOM quality toward more labile, protein-like fractions. Stable isotope analysis showed slower ¹³C depletion in the biomass and delayed ¹³C enrichment in the liquid phase of MP-amended systems compared to control, suggesting a possible retarding effect of MPs on microbial carbon turnover. Using a two-end-member isotope mixing model, MP-DOM was found to contribute 11.5 % of DOC in untreated sludge liquor, 19.4 % under Fenton oxidation, 13.5 % under KMnO₄ oxidation, and 5.6 % under hydrothermal treatment. These results suggest that oxidative treatments, particularly Fenton, promote MP-DOM mobilization, while hydrothermal treatment primarily enhances biomass-derived DOM release. Conventional techniques using optical and molecular weight measurements captured overall DOM transformation but lacked source specificity. This study demonstrates the utility of isotope-based source apportionment for identifying hidden contributions of MPs to sludge liquor DOM and underscores the implications for treatment performance, carbon cycling, and sludge reuse strategies in WWTPs.

PMID:41075489 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124735

Biomacromolecules. 2025 Oct 11. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01371. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Silk nanofibers (SNFs) with distinctive physicochemical properties are promising nanoscale building blocks of porous materials, yet high-yield exfoliation using green solvents remains challenging. Herein, hydrogen-bonding small molecules (water, methanol, and ethanol) were introduced into deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to reconfigure hydrogen-bond networks and promote exfoliation. Among them, DES/water mixtures proved most effective: adding 30 wt % water reduced average SNF diameter from 239 ± 184 nm to 109 ± 27 nm and delivered a yield of 98.3% within 24 h. The improvement is attributed to hydrogen-bond reorganization, decreased viscosity, and enhanced proton transfer. The resulting SNFs preserved silk's hierarchical structures and were assembled into flexible membranes with a tensile strength of 34 MPa. These porous membranes effectively removed microplastics, with rejection rates above 91% through combined size exclusion and adsorption. This work demonstrates DES/water mixtures as sustainable solvent systems for scalable SNF production and the fabrication of high-performance membranes for water purification.

PMID:41074831 | DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.5c01371

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 10;222(Pt 2):118791. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118791. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global plastic pollution defines the Plasticene Era, disrupting trophic interactions across ecosystems. Despite progress since the 1990s, much about beaked whale biology and conservation status remains unknown, particularly their vulnerability to plastic pollution. The stranding of a female Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) on Rhodes Island, Greece, in April 2022 provided a rare chance to assess this threat. Examination revealed 6.73 kg of plastic debris in the stomach, covering 17.44 m², mostly polyethylene sheets, including three intact plastic bags. The largest item measured ~2000 cm², potentially mistaken for cephalopods. Spectroscopic analysis showed black residues resembling oil/tar on multiple items. Black and transparent plastics were dominant (~33 % each), followed by grey (24 %) and blue (10 %). Microplastics were not evaluated in this study, and tissue analysis showed no significant abnormalities. Cephalopod beaks of similar size to the plastics were also present. The findings indicate that plastic ingestion caused severe malnutrition, potentially contributing to the whale's death.

PMID:41075551 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118791

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Oct 10;1003:180671. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180671. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microfibers (MFs), primarily originating from sewage sludge and laundry effluents, are the most prevalent form of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils. While their ecological effects have been explored, the visualization, crop-level accumulation, and potential transport mechanisms of MFs within soil-plant systems remain poorly understood. This study combines 1,3,6,8-pyrene tetrasulfonic acid (PTSA) fluorescent staining with a sequential multimodal microscopy workflow to effectively track the distribution, adsorption, accumulation, and uptake of MFs under realistic soil cultivation conditions. Three edible vegetables-lettuce, Chinese cabbage, and cherry radish-were used to evaluate species-specific response patterns. The results revealed clear differences in MF interactions across species: lettuce exhibited strong MF adsorption on root surfaces and subsequent penetration via crack-entry and apoplastic pathways without entering cells. In contrast, Chinese cabbage and cherry radish showed limited MF adsorption and no uptake. These patterns were associated with root permeability and antioxidative capacities, indicating that plant functional traits play a critical role in determining the transport capacity of MPs. Beyond introducing a novel method for MF visualization in complex terrestrial matrices, this study provides new insights into the risks posed by MFs to soil-plant systems. The findings also highlight potential threats to food safety and underscore the need to establish plant-specific thresholds and pollution mitigation strategies to support sustainable agriculture and protect public health.

PMID:41075573 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180671

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 4;499:140050. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140050. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs), ubiquitous emerging pollutants in marine environments, pose potential ecological risks through trophic transfer. However, the influence of MP trait on their trophic transfer dynamics remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the bioaccumulation patterns, trophic transfer and ecological risks of MPs in Sanggou Bay. MPs were found in all examined organisms, with concentrations ranging from 0.095 ± 0.017 items/g in Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus to 0.506 ± 0.059 items/g in Charybdis japonica. The compositional profile (size, polymer type, shape, color) of MPs within organisms was similar to that of the surrounding water and sediment, indicating ambient exposure as the predominant source. Sediment-derived MPs contributed dominantly to bioaccumulation compared to those from the aqueous phase. Furthermore, a trophic magnification factor of 1.42 (r = 0.417, p < 0.01) revealed biomagnification across the food web, with enhanced transfer for specific MP traits: smaller sizes, fiber and film shapes, transparent particles, and polystyrene composition. The Pollution Load Index assessment revealed a low risk posed by MPs in surface water and sediments of Sanggou Bay. These findings provide novel insights into the bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential of MPs and demonstrate that MP physicochemical characteristics govern their trophic magnification.

PMID:41075641 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140050

Food Res Int. 2025 Nov;220:117103. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2025.117103. Epub 2025 Jul 30.

ABSTRACT

Increasing awareness of the adverse effects of nonrenewable, petroleum-based synthetic plastics has driven the search for biodegradable alternatives, particularly in food packaging. Over the past 30 years, biopolymeric materials, such as chitosan, have attracted considerable attention owing to their reduced environmental impact. Chitosan, which is derived from the partial deacetylation of chitin, is valued for its abundance, non-toxicity, biodegradability, and antimicrobial properties, making it a promising candidate for the development of biocomposites. Although chitin is typically sourced from crustacean shells, fungal sources offer notable advantages, including lower mineral content and a continuous, high-quality supply without seasonal variations. Moreover, amid increasing evidence of microplastic-induced toxicity in aquatic organisms and mammals, the risk of contamination in marine-derived chitosan highlights the need for safer alternatives such as fungal sources. This review discusses the physicochemical properties of fungal chitosan and explores advanced extraction techniques such as deep eutectic solvents, microwave-assisted extraction, and enzymatic extraction. Additionally, the antimicrobial potential of fungal chitosan is thoroughly examined, underscoring its potential in food packaging, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications. The effects of the degree of deacetylation, solubility, and molecular weight of chitosan on its physicochemical and biological properties are highlighted, facilitating its optimization for diverse applications.

PMID:41074317 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2025.117103

Toxicology. 2025 Oct 9:154304. doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2025.154304. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With the increasing consumption of plastic products, microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), as new environmental pollution, pose a huge potential threat to human health. The different polymers and sizes of MPs and NPs are important factors determining the distribution and pathways of particulate organisms, thereby affecting their toxicity. The study explored the pulmonary toxicity and potential mechanism of MPs (1 μm) and NPs (100nm) of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP) in vivo and in vitro. Intratracheal injection of MPs/NPs (10mg/kg, once every six days, continued four times) in mice induced pulmonary histopathological changes, raised α-SMA and collagen I expressions, the TIMP-1/MMP13 ratio, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins, recruited immune cells and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, especially in PS-NPs group. MPs/NPs (PS, PE or PP) exhibited cytotoxicity in human lung epithelial BEAS-2B, and MPs/NPs (50μg/mL, 8h) up-regulated α-SMA, Vimentin, and IL-1β expressions. PS-NPs raised YAP1 and inhibited FXR expression in mice or BEAS-2B, compared with other polymers or diameters. In PS-NPs-induced BEAS-2B, Verteporfin (YAP1 antagonist, 0.2μM) or GW4064 (FXR agonist, 2μM) reduced α-SMA, Vimentin, and IL-1β expressions, while Gugglesterone (FXR antagonist, 50μM) increased above protein expressions. Meanwhile, FXR deficiency increased YAP1 activity and fibrogenesis in PS-NPs-induced BEAS-2B. Collectively, MPs/NPs exposure elevates the risk of pulmonary fibrosis, and FXR-YAP1 axis dysregulation may underlie their toxicity mechanisms. Among the tested polymers, PS exhibits stronger pulmonary toxicity and cytotoxicity compared to PE or PP, and NPs of the same polymer demonstrate greater pulmonary toxicity than MPs.

PMID:41075967 | DOI:10.1016/j.tox.2025.154304

Food Chem Toxicol. 2025 Oct 9:115797. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115797. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics' ubiquitous exposure and their function of carrying over organic pollutants have sparked concerns about the environment and human health. This study aimed to monitor possible microplastic contents in paper cups from Türkiye marketplaces. To achieve this, 10 different paper cups from different manufacturers were obtained. The microplastic contents were analysed qualitatively; the heavy metal and ion contents were assessed quantitatively, and the results were supported by visual instrumental imaging techniques and analysis methods (SEM, confocal microscopy). According to the results obtained, it was shown that the inner film of disposable cups contains High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and this changes in structure when in contact with hot beverages. Moreover, it was observed that microplastics, heavy metals such as 394.54 ppb Zinc, 58.05 ppb Aluminium as well as ions such as 1.07 ppm Ammonium, 17.49 ppm Chloride migrated when the inner layer of disposable paper cups came into contact with a hot beverage for 15 minutes. Although paper-based materials are now considered "safer alternatives", they may actually be a cause for concern due to the transfer of microplastics and other contaminants present in the structure of paper-containing products into the consumed product.

PMID:41075862 | DOI:10.1016/j.fct.2025.115797

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Oct 10;197(11):1191. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14671-6.

ABSTRACT

Road pollution is a threat to aquatic ecosystems globally. Road runoff contains a mixture of particulate (e.g. tyre and road wear particles (TRWPs), road lining paint fragments and microplastics) and 'dissolved' pollutants (e.g. leached tyre and plastic additive chemicals). There is a lack of sampling approaches, however, for collection of particulate and dissolved pollutants which avoids transport of large volumes of water needed for particulate analysis and minimises sample contact with plastic materials. Therefore, the aim was to develop a new stainless-steel 24-h portable sampler for in situ isolation of particulates from a large sample volume (> 10 L) and simultaneous collection of water for additive chemical analysis. This was achieved using readily available materials (battery powered peristaltic pump, stainless-steel refuse vessel, sieves etc.) and at < 50% of the cost of commercially available plastic bodied composite samplers. The newly designed sampler was applied in the field to monitor pollutants entering a retention pond from a road drainage system. Particle concentrations > 50 µm in length were 25.5, 13.7 and 2.0 particles/L for TRWPs, paints and microplastics, respectively, with most (89%) in the 50-99-µm size range. Five additive chemicals were also determined in the collected water (1H-benzotriazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole, hexamethoxymethylmelamine, 1,3-diphenylguanidine and 1-cyclohexyl-3-phenylurea) at concentrations up to 0.18 µg/L. This new sampler has demonstrated to be effective for the simultaneous monitoring of particulate and dissolved road pollutants in water. Its ease of construction, limited plastic usage and low cost make it an attractive alternative to existing sampling methods for monitoring road pollution.

PMID:41071421 | PMC:PMC12513962 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14671-6

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Oct 10;47(11):486. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02802-4.

ABSTRACT

As a widespread emerging pollutant, microplastics (MPs) have become one of the most significant threats to global ecosystems. Bosten Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China, represents a typical lake in an arid zone. To provide a theoretical basis for MPs pollution control in such regions, this study systematically investigated the characteristics, distribution, and ecological risks of MPs in Bosten Lake. Results show that MPs were widely present in the lake, with abundances in surface water ranging from 1.33 to 9.43 n/L (mean: 4.8 ± 1.78 n/L) and in sediments ranging from 151.55 to 953.31 n/kg dry weight (dw) (mean: 479.11 ± 210.22 n/kg), suggesting the presence of certain levels of pollution when compared to domestic and international studies. White (54.09 ± 5.14%) and black (30.07 ± 4.28%) MPs dominated, with fibers and fragments comprising over 70% of the forms. Polypropylene particles (0.1-0.5 mm) were the predominant type. Potential sources include residential activities, tourism, agriculture, and fisheries. Seasonal variations were observed in ecological risk, with the potential ecological risk index indicating an overall high-risk level. These findings highlight the need for dynamic management strategies for Bosten Lake and provide a scientific basis for monitoring MPs and assessing their ecological impacts in arid lake environments.

PMID:41071401 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02802-4

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 Oct 10;115(4):49. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04123-9.

ABSTRACT

Global plastic use has surged, generating 20-90 million tons of waste annually, which breaks down into microplastics that contaminate environments. While marine microplastic pollution has been widely studied, research on agroecosystems, particularly paddy soil, remains limited. This study assessed microplastic pollution across four types of agricultural land use in the Cachar district: boro rice cultivation, rainfed rice cultivation, upland rice cultivation, and natural forests. Boro rice soil exhibited the highest contamination (213 particles per 100 g of soil), while natural forests had the lowest (98 particles per 100 g of soil). Two primary types of microplastics were found; fibers (89.86%) and fragments (10.14%). Most microplastics were smaller than 500 μm (67.79%), while only 7.83% were larger than 1 mm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses revealed smoother microplastics in forests and coarser ones in agricultural soils. EDX detected elements such as carbon, oxygen, aluminium, silicon, copper, sulphur, bromine, and molybdenum. This study offers vital baseline data for managing plastic waste and mitigating environmental and health risks.

PMID:41071358 | DOI:10.1007/s00128-025-04123-9

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Oct 21;122(42):e2523194122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2523194122. Epub 2025 Oct 10.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41071666 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2523194122

Anal Chim Acta. 2025 Nov 22;1376:344606. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2025.344606. Epub 2025 Sep 4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Micro-/nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and there has been a growing concern about their potential adverse effects on human health. The present study reports on the development of a novel pyrolysis-gas chromatography x ion mobility mass spectrometry method to identify MNPs in placental blood, while reducing false positive detections from matrix interferences.

RESULTS: Base digestion and filtration yielded acceptable recoveries: 90 ± 11 % for polystyrene (PS), 93 ± 16 % for polyethylene (PE), and 53 ± 18 % for polypropylene (PP). Limit of Detections (LODs) ranged from 0.15 to 0.60 μg/mL, depending on the polymer. Placental blood samples were collected from 46 donors and analyzed in triplicate, resulting in measurements for 138 samples. Forty-three samples contained at least one polymer type above the limit of detection, and 10 samples contained at least one polymer type above the limit of quantification. Total plastic concentration in samples with detectable levels (>LOD) of MNPs averaged 0.9 μg/mL and ranged between 0.2 and 3.6 μg/mL. Orthogonal separation by ion mobility revealed that 10/22 PE detections were false positives.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study is the first to integrate ion mobility separation to differentiate between genuine and false detection of PE in human blood. Without the aid of ion mobility separation, the concentration of PE in individual samples was overestimated by up to 233 % of the mean MNP concentration, underlining the importance of multidimensional separation for individual exposure analysis.

PMID:41073001 | DOI:10.1016/j.aca.2025.344606

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 10;15(1):35551. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-19610-6.

ABSTRACT

The current study was conducted with the aim to analyze the effect of microplastics on vegetable plants i.e., Spring Onion and Okra. Three types of microplastics sources were used i.e., Transparent plastic Bottles (Polyethylene terephthalate) (PET); transparent plastic bags (High-density polyethylene) (HDPE) and Polyester fiber (100% Polyester) (PES). Each type of plastic was mechanically/manually shredded to an approximate size of 4 mm and subsequently incorporated into soil at a concentration of 1% w/w. Control groups without microplastic addition were also established for comparison. Germinated seeds of spring onion and okra were sown in each experimental setup and plants were monitored and analyzed for morphological characteristics, oxidative stress indicators, and pigment content, including chlorophyll and carotenoids. The findings revealed that microplastic exposure had a statistically significant effect on plant health and development. Among the three microplastic types, PET induced the least detrimental effects, while HDPE and PES exhibited more pronounced impacts. All microplastic treatments led to a decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, alongside an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation, indicative of heightened oxidative stress. Additionally, reductions in key morphological parameters such as plant height, leaf number, and biomass were observed. Results of the study underscores the potential ecological risks posed by microplastic contamination in soil, highlighting its capacity to adversely affect plant physiology and development. Therefore, emphasizes the urgent need for strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems.

PMID:41073574 | PMC:PMC12514196 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-19610-6

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 8;386:127228. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127228. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exposure to micro- and nanoplastics is unavoidable. Foods and beverages contain plastic particles from environmental contamination and processing and packaging materials, which are frequently made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in human tissues such as the brain, liver, and placenta, as well as in ovarian follicular fluid, but little is known about the effects nanoplastics have on the female reproductive system. In addition, few studies on the health impacts of nanoplastics have been performed using environmentally relevant plastic types and concentrations. Thus, this research tested the hypothesis that nanoplastics made of spherical polystyrene (PS), a common model nanoplastic, would have different effects on cultured mouse ovarian follicles compared to secondary PET nanoplastics at environmentally relevant doses. The ovary is a highly sensitive reproductive organ responsible for the development of follicles, which contain the oocyte, and production of steroid hormones. Follicles were harvested from adult mouse ovaries and cultured for 96 h with vehicle, spherical commercially available 220 nm PS nanoplastics (1-100 μg/mL), or lab-generated 240 nm PET nanoplastics (0.1-10 μg/mL). PS and PET nanoplastic exposure inhibited follicle growth and altered expression of genes related to steroid synthesis, cell cycle, and oxidative stress. PET nanoplastics increased levels of pregnenolone and decreased expression of Cyp17a1. Overall, both plastic types altered ovarian function, but they impacted different genes in similar pathways. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations may pose a risk to female reproductive health by disrupting hormonal and molecular pathways. In addition, environmentally relevant plastic types and doses are necessary for studying health impacts of nanoplastics.

PMID:41072712 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127228

JVS Vasc Sci. 2025 Aug 28;6:100393. doi: 10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100393. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: As plastic production continues to accelerate, the byproducts increasingly fill the environment. Once degraded into micronanoplastics (MNPs), particles may circulate into food, drinking water, or air. Nascent literature has demonstrated MNP bioaccumulation within human tissues, such as the blood, brain, and solid organs. Only recently have MNPs been identified within thrombi and atherosclerotic plaques of diseased blood vessels, and these findings have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Data on MNP content in infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease is currently lacking, however. We investigated MNP presence within femoral artery plaques and examined patient clinical variables to characterize their associations in a territory commonly affected by peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS: Common femoral artery plaques were collected from patients undergoing common femoral endarterectomy for medically refractory lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. These samples were then sectioned, frozen, and analyzed using pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for MNP content by polymer. A total of 12 polymers were investigated in triplicate. A group of decedent patients without clinical atherosclerosis served as control with whole carotid artery tissue used for a similar analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 10 plaques from 8 patients were collected for the plaque group, and 30 whole carotids were gathered from decedents and age matched to the plaque group. The total MNP concentration was 80-fold higher in femoral plaque compared with the control group 3234 μg/g tissue vs 40.68 μg/g tissue for control arteries (P = .0001). By polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene-butadiene, polyvinylchloride, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, nylon 66, and nylon 6 were all significantly elevated compared with control tissue. No differences in sex were detected in either group. Polypropylene content was positively correlated with age (P = .011). Within the plaque group, patients undergoing revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia had a greater than three-fold concentration of PP (247 ± 113.6 μg/g vs 71.9 ± 73.5 μg/g) and 10-fold concentration of polyurethane (17.4 ± 12.1 μg/g vs 1.69 ± 2.9 μg/g) compared with those with claudication (P = .0381 and P = .0238, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a greater accumulation of MNPs in common femoral artery plaques compared with nonatherosclerotic artery tissue. This finding further supports the premise that, despite similarities in age between groups, MNPs tend to be represented heavily in atherosclerotic tissues. Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia showed a greater concentration of some polymers compared with those with claudication, raising the question of differential disease severity associations with different individual polymers.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This work demonstrates high levels of micronanoplastics (MNPs) in human femoral artery atherosclerotic plaques as compared with healthy, nondiseased human carotid arteries. No clear associations between age and MNP levels were demonstrated amongst limb ischemia or control patients. Some individual polymers are associated with advanced atherosclerotic disease (chronic limb-threatening ischemia) compared with claudication. These data add to the growing literature suggesting that MNP particles accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions. Future work should investigate what mechanistic role, if any, MNPs may play in the pathophysiology of vascular atherosclerotic disease.

PMID:41069702 | PMC:PMC12506576 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvssci.2025.100393

J Nanobiotechnology. 2025 Oct 9;23(1):634. doi: 10.1186/s12951-025-03747-7.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs), as emerging contaminants, may adversely affect male reproductive health. This study investigated the potential association between MP accumulation in human semen and sperm quality. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying MPs-induced sperm quality impairment were characterized using representative polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), murine models, and spermatogonial cell cultures. Among 200 semen samples, the overall detection rate of MPs was 55.5% (111/200). A total of 128 MPs were identified in semen, with PS (32.03%) and PVC (36.72%) being the predominant microplastic polymers. Epidemiological analyses revealed a significant positive association between plastic tableware (PT) use frequency and MP accumulation in semen. Stratified analyses further revealed a strong association between total MPs exposure and reduced sperm concentration among individuals with BMI < 24 kg/m² and frequent PT use. In murine models, exposure to PS-MPs induced reduced sperm quality, elevated sperm abnormalities, and increased levels of autophagy and apoptosis. Mechanistically, PS-MPs activated the MAP3K1/p38/c-fos pathway via the transcription factor FOXA1, thereby inducing the autophagy and apoptosis of spermatogonia. Collectively, this study provides direct human evidence that MP accumulation in semen is associated with impaired sperm quality, particularly in individuals with certain lifestyle factors such as frequent PT use. Moreover, our findings further demonstrate the potential reproductive toxicity of MPs and, for the first time, elucidate the critical role of the FOXA1/MAP3K1/p38 cascade in PS-MPs-mediated decline in sperm quality.

PMID:41068921 | PMC:PMC12512996 | DOI:10.1186/s12951-025-03747-7

Crit Rev Anal Chem. 2025 Oct 9:1-11. doi: 10.1080/10408347.2025.2567590. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Soil can be directly polluted with microplastics (MPs) and it additionally acts as a major sink for MPs from atmospheric deposition and surface waters. Accumulation of MPs in soil and their persistence in the soil environment prioritizes efforts to effectively assess pollution levels and undertake measures to protect soil from long-term adverse effects. Of various analytical techniques available for MP detection and characterization, portable instruments based on spectroscopic, electrochemical, mass spectrometric, and optical imaging methods gain an increasing interest. They are useful for initial screening and selection of soil samples for detailed analysis and reduce the risk of contamination during sample transport, storage, and laboratory treatment. They are more environmentally friendly and better comply with green analytical chemistry principles than their laboratory counterparts. However, their analytical performance needs to be improved. This article discusses portable analytical instruments used for in-situ analysis of MPs in soil and shows their advantages and limitations.

PMID:41065215 | DOI:10.1080/10408347.2025.2567590

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 8;222(Pt 2):118815. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118815. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Coral reef ecosystems are increasingly threatened by environmental stressors, with microplastics (MPs) emerging as a pervasive and harmful contaminant. As essential symbionts of reef-building corals, Symbiodiniaceae are vital to coral health; however, their physiological responses to MPs remain largely unexplored. This study investigates the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) of five distinct colors (red, yellow, green, blue, and white) on Cladocopium goreaui, a dominant coral symbiont. Exposure to 5 μm PS-MPs at 20 mg/L significantly inhibited algal growth, with blue and white PS-MPs exhibiting the strongest suppression. Growth rates decreased by up to approximately 36.0 % compared to controls over a 20-day exposure period. Although C. goreaui upregulated photosynthetic pigment content to compensate for reduced light availability due to MP aggregation, a substantial portion of the generated energy was diverted to mitigate oxidative stress. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PS-MPs exposure downregulated key genes involved in biosynthetic pathways (e.g., peptide/amide formation) and primary metabolism (e.g., nitrogen assimilation, lipid metabolism). The pronounced toxicity of blue and white PS-MPs was attributed to their strong suppression of fatty acid metabolism and ribosomal function. These findings highlight the role of color disparity in modulating MP toxicity and offer new insight into the physiological and molecular responses of coral symbionts to MP pollution, with implications for coral reef health and resilience.

PMID:41066840 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118815

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 8;222(Pt 2):118799. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118799. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A novel red-emissive fluorescent dye, DBD was developed to detect selectively polyurethane (PU) microplastics (MPs). The solvatochromic properties and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior of DBD were illustrated using spectroscopic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The optimized staining conditions for selective PU staining were determined by evaluating three parameters: staining time, solvent composition, and dye concentration. Under the optimized conditions (75 μM for 60 min in a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of deionized water/ethanol (DIW/EtOH)), DBD selectively stained PU MPs among eleven types of MPs (PU, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)) and five types of natural particles (sand, chitin, shell, cellulose, and wood). In addition, DBD successfully stained PU MPs of various sizes as well as aged PU MPs, and maintained staining performance in pH conditions ranging from 5 to 9. Moreover, DBD selectively stained PU MPs in complex environmental matrices like river water, seawater, and soil without requiring special pretreatment, allowing clear discrimination from other particles through red fluorescence. The interaction of DBD and PU was suggested to be adsorption via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interaction, which was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), non-covalent interaction (NCI), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

PMID:41066841 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118799

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 8;222(Pt 2):118816. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118816. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, posing a significant threat to marine organisms as well as a health concern in commercial fisheries. However, there is a lack of research on microplastic accumulation and biomagnification across trophic levels. This study aimed to compare the abundance and diversity of microplastics (MPs) across trophic levels and habitats at two locations on the west coast of India with varying anthropogenic pressure. We compared MPs levels in different tissues of the sampled organisms and investigated potential biomagnification across two trophic levels and differences across habitat types (benthic and pelagic) at these locations. A total of 215 individuals from both locations were sampled and analysed for MPs. We found three types of MPs in our samples - fibres (92.16 %), fragments (1.19 %), and films (6.65 %) - which were of a variety of colours. Transparent fibres, likely derived from degraded fishing lines and nets, were the most abundant type of MP. A negative binomial generalized linear model showed no difference in MP concentrations between benthic and pelagic sharks or between locations, suggesting a similar level of exposure. However, lower trophic levels contained on average two to two-and-a-half times more MPs than higher trophic levels at both sites. Tissue-specific differences were also apparent: in lower trophic levels, the liver accumulated 58 % more MPs than the GI tract, whereas in higher trophic levels, the GI tract accumulated 40 % more MPs than the liver. While there was no evidence for biomagnification at the two locations, the differential accumulation in tissues provides insights that are relevant for both human and fish health.

PMID:41066843 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118816

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 8;222(Pt 2):118779. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118779. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the presence, distribution, origins and characteristics of plastic litter and microplastics on the ocean floor. In this study, plastics trawled from the bed of the western English Channel have been categorised and analysed by a variety of optical and spectroscopic techniques. A total of 90 plastic samples were classified, in descending order of abundance, as food-drink packaging, unknown, homeware, military and fishing. Most samples showed varying degrees of weathering (e.g., discolouration, distortion, cracking, fragmentation) and were visibly fouled by calcareous deposits. The majority of samples were constructed of polymers of negative buoyancy (e.g., polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride) with one sample identified as positively buoyant (polyethylene). Additives and pigments among the samples included asbestos, glass fibres, Cd-, Pb- and Sn-based stabilisers, Ba- and Ti-based compounds, and antifouling residues. Microscopy revealed the ubiquity of microfibres that were often strongly adhered to the plastic or fouled surfaces and whose polymeric compositions did not match those of the host material. This observation is attributed to encounters of microfibres with a slimy, accruing biofilm on the plastic and suggests that synthetic fibres are highly abundant and persistent in suspension close to the seafloor. The impacts of these fibres are unknown and warrant further investigation.

PMID:41066844 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118779

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 8;222(Pt 2):118809. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118809. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution is an increasing anthropogenic pressure on coastal marine ecosystems, particularly in semi-enclosed seas such as the Mediterranean. This study investigates the spatial distribution, abundance, and characteristics of microplastics in BouIsmail Bay, located on the southern Mediterranean coast of Algeria. Samples of surface water and seafloor sediments were collected from multiple coastal and offshore stations in summer of 2023. Microplastics were extracted using potassium hydroxide (KOH) digestion in seawater and KOH digestion combined with density separation in seafloor sediments. Particles were quantified, classified by shape, color, and size, and identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results showed relatively uniform concentrations across offshore and coastal stations, with seawater samples comprising 1.16 ± 0.8 items/m³ and sediment samples comprising 0.36 ± 0.2 items/g. Horizontal distribution was influenced by proximity to urbanized areas and wadis, while vertical distribution was likely affected by biological interactions such as biofouling and incorporation into organic aggregates (e.g., diatoms) or mineral particles. Morphological analysis indicated a predominance of fragments in surface waters, whereas fibers dominated the sediments. FTIR analysis identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene as the most common polymers. Phytoplankton analysis, conducted in parallel, revealed marked variations in the relative abundance of major phytoplankton groups, with exceptional blooms of Prorocentrum spp. coinciding with areas of highest microplastic concentrations. These findings provide a valuable baseline for understanding microplastic dynamics in southern Mediterranean coastal areas and highlight the urgent need for improved plastic waste management and environmental monitoring policies in Algeria.

PMID:41066848 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118809

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 6;499:140066. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Urban green spaces are critical determinants of the urban environmental quality. However, their contamination by emerging pollutants remains poorly known. This study investigated the co-occurrence patterns and pollution drivers of microplastics (MPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) in urban green space soils spanning diverse vegetations, streets, and residential areas in Guangzhou, a representative megacity in China undergoing rapid urbanization. Soil analysis revealed MP abundances averaging 2117 items/kg (medium contamination level), with significant spatial heterogeneity reflecting the anthropogenic pressures. Street and residential green spaces exhibited 2.1/2.3 times higher MP loads than parks. Moreover, vegetation-mediated distribution patterns emerged: the grassland MP levels were 56.2 %/66.0 % lower than woody vegetation (trees/shrubs). Polymer composition analysis identified the predominance of polyethylene terephthalate and polyacrylonitrile, implicating that textile industry emissions were a major urban MP source in green spaces. The simultaneously detected PAEs reached concerning levels (∑5PAEs = 8086 ng/g), which were dominated by dioctyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. The risk assessment indicated limited direct health risks, but these may be underestimated because both multi-pathway and MP-facilitated PAEs exposure may increase the health risks of PAEs. Correlation analysis showed that the correlations between MPs and PAEs across all soil samples were influenced by the gradient changes of both pollutants in urban green space. The suitability of PAEs as indicators of MP pollution should be further validated in diverse urban green spaces. These findings establish an empirical basis for the coordinated management of emerging contaminants in urban ecosystems.

PMID:41066989 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140066

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 3;499:140046. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140046. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) pose a significant threat to soil ecosystem. However, the vertical distribution characteristics of MPs and their effects on soil physicochemical properties and microorganisms in arid farmlands soils in West China are not well understood. In this study, the vertical distribution of MPs in soils of different crop types was investigated from 14 soil profiles (0-50 cm) of plastic-mulched farmlands. The results indicated that the average MPs abundance in the entire soil profile was highest in the corn field (13.1 ×10⁵ items kg^-1), followed by the rapeseed field (9.55 ×10⁵ items kg^-1) and the vegetable field (5.15 ×10⁵ items kg^-1). The MPs abundance declined with increased soil depth, dominated by fragments (93.46 %), MPs with size < 50 μm accounted for 58.04 %. Fibers exhibited a relatively higher vertical migration rate. The length of crop roots played an important role in the vertical migration ability and depth distribution of MPs. In addition, the Chao1 and Shannon indices were negatively correlated with MPs abundance. MPs may impact the microbial community structure and diversity by altering soil physicochemical properties. This study will enhance our understanding of the MPs vertical migration in farmland soil and their potential impact on soil physicochemical properties and microbial diversity in arid regions.

PMID:41066990 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140046

J Environ Manage. 2025 Oct 8;394:127514. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127514. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics pose a combined threat to aquatic organisms by impairing gut health and promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, Cipangopaludina cathayensis was exposed for 28 days to polystyrene MPs, roxithromycin (ROX), and their combination to assess impacts on intestinal barrier integrity, microbiota composition, and ARG proliferation. MPs alone caused significant mucosal damage, villus atrophy, epithelial shedding, and reduced digestive enzyme activities. ROX exposure altered microbiota structure by increasing Bacteroidetes and reducing Firmicutes. Co-exposure (CM group) exacerbated epithelial injury and enzyme inhibition but partially restored balance through enrichment of SCFA-producing, anti-inflammatory bacteria. ARG levels in the CM group rose by over 1000 %, with notable increases in multidrug resistance genes (e.g., blaOXA10) and integrons (e.g., cIntI-1), mainly linked to Bacteroides and Proteobacteria. Transcriptomic data indicated oxidative stress and epithelial disruption under MPs, and upregulation of efflux and integron genes with ROX. Combined exposure triggered DNA repair and SOS pathways, facilitating horizontal gene transfer. These findings highlight a three-dimensional synergistic mechanism-physical damage, microbial dysbiosis, and gene transfer-that amplifies ARG dissemination and intestinal toxicity, underscoring the need to assess ecological risks of composite pollutants in freshwater systems.These processes form a self-reinforcing loop in which physical epithelial damage promotes microbial dysbiosis, which in turn facilitates ARG proliferation through increased permeability and immune disruption.

PMID:41067103 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127514

Chemosphere. 2025 Oct 8;390:144719. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144719. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Green mussels, a popular seafood in Jakarta, have been found to be contaminated with microplastics. Microplastics are hydrophobic, they can adsorb various pollutants, such as metals and persistent organic compounds, onto their surface, thereby increasing the potential for biomagnification through the trophic chain. Microplastic contamination in mussels is a growing concern and may pose health risks to consumers. This research aims to characterize the types of polymers, shape colors, abundance of microplastic, detect heavy metal contaminants on microplastic surfaces in the gills, and estimate the health risks associated with their consumption. The results showed that microplastics were detected in all 120 green mussels sampled, with fragments being the dominant type, followed by fibers and films. The average abundance of microplastics was 18 ± 9.4 particles per individual or 4 ± 2.8 per gram of wet tissue weight and the average wet weight was 4.9 ± 2.15 g. FTIR analysis identified 15 types of polymers, and polymer hazard levels led to risk categories I, II III and V, which is considered very dangerous to human health. The percentages of aluminum and lead on the surface of gill microplastics were 0.15 % and 0.01 %, respectively, while the percentage of aluminum identified in microplastics on the Whatman filter was 0.23 %. The estimated annual quantity of microplastics ingested by humans ranged from 10,192 items to 76,440 items among diverse age ranges. It is estimated that each person in Indonesia ingests 271,313 microplastics annually through the consumption of green mussels. The ingestion of microplastics also leads to the intake of associated heavy metals, posing significant risks to human health.

PMID:41067198 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144719

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 8;386:127220. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127220. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As municipal water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) provide an important conduit between microplastics (MPs) and the environment, it is critical to understand global trends. This meta-analysis integrates data from studies worldwide, providing a comprehensive overview of MP occurrence and removal from wastewater while emphasizing overlooked variables and regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) found that Europe and Asia form largely separate clusters in terms of MP removal performance, likely due to differences in study methodologies and the range of wealth within included countries. Asian studies tended to include countries of greater economic diversity, while European studies overall included smaller MPs and more often employed spectroscopy for polymer identification and quantification. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified study methodology, secondary treatment type, and wastewater type to have the most significant effects on MP removal (p-values <0.01) globally and continentally, with other variables both internal and external to WRRFs exerting varied effects depending on the socioeconomic lens (i.e., relative vs. absolute wealth in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, per capita). Post hoc analysis identified China, South Korea, and Vietnam to display significantly different means in MP removal from other Asian countries. Lastly, component regression (PCR) and machine learning-based partial least squares regression (PLSR) were conducted to create prediction models for MP removal from WRRFs, which supported the regional patterns in behaviour identified with PCA and ANOVA while streamlining an efficient method for predicting WRRF performance. Future research should address global monitoring bias, mismanaged plastic waste, and standardized MP reporting and analysis.

PMID:41067307 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127220

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Oct 9;330(Pt 3):148132. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Shrimp preservation currently relies mainly on petroleum-based plastic films and refrigeration, which, although effective, may release microplastics into the environment. Developing biodegradable alternatives is therefore of great significance. In this study, potato starch (PS)/apple pectin (AP)/cedarwood essential oil (CEO) composite films were prepared via the casting method and evaluated for their potential in giant tiger prawn preservation. CEO incorporation markedly improved the film's properties, including mechanical strength (from 9.6 % to 32.4 %), UV shielding efficiency (EAB from 7.47 % to 33.2 % at 600 nm), and antibacterial activity. Films containing 2 % CEO exhibited superior antibacterial performance. Preservation tests further demonstrated that 2 % CEO films effectively inhibited increases in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and pH: after 48 h, TVB-N rise decreased from 42.55 % to 23.04 %, while pH increase was reduced from 0.83 to 0.16. These findings highlight the potential of PS/AP/CEO films as sustainable packaging materials for extending the shelf life of seafood.

PMID:41067331 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148132

Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Sep 23;12:1620733. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1620733. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter of less than 5 millimeters, primarily originating from the degradation of plastic products (11). In recent years, increasing attention has also been given to the impact of MPs on the health. Important questions have surfaced, including whether MPs can be cleared by the kidneys, whether reduced kidney function affects their clearance, and whether MP accumulation contributes to the progression of kidney diseases. This review explores the effects of MPs on the kidneys and focuses on their accumulation, toxic effects, and potential molecular mechanisms.

PMID:41064517 | PMC:PMC12500543 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2025.1620733

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Oct 8. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c09277. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are a diffuse contaminant with various global sources, pathways, and sinks. This study aimed to backtrack microplastics across environments using metaproteomic and eDNA metabarcoding information stored within the ecocorona. Pristine polyamide (PA) fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers and fragments, and PET and PA preincubated in bovine serum albumin (BSA) were deployed into a tank housing Penaeus monodon to develop an ecocorona. Upon collection, BSA was detected within the ecocorona, along with P. monodon proteins, using mass spectrometry. BSA preincubation influenced the diversity and abundance of ecocorona proteins with pristine microplastics having more significantly enriched proteins. Most ecocorona proteins reflected the marine environment, confirming that the protein assemblage on microplastics records environmental signatures. Microplastic tracking was validated using polyethylene plastics unintentionally discharged from an aquaculture facility into Moreton Bay and collected after 7 days. Orthogonal Partial Least Square models predicted the source with 69-92% accuracy based on 16S eDNA taxa and 69-123% accuracy based on untargeted metaproteomics. Several identified taxa from both analyses were specific to the aquaculture source, including genera Leucothrix and Rugeria and species Salmo salar and P. monodon. Overall tracking of microplastics using the ecocorona proved effective over short time scales and reliably reflected the surrounding biological milieu.

PMID:41063532 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c09277

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Oct 7;305:119115. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Disposable plastic face masks (DPFMs), widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, have raised environmental concerns due to their improper disposal accompanied by unknown environmental degradation. This study adopts a dual approach to assess both the material degradation and the pollutant release of DPFMs subjected to long-term ultraviolet (UV-B) aging in water, simulating environmental exposure for up to one year. Physicochemical changes were monitored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical testing, water contact angle measurements, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Leachates were analyzed by non-purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), Py-GC/MS, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The degradation of the DPFM layers was evidenced by structural weakening, a 2.46 % mass loss, and an increase in carbon release (NPOC up to 50 mg C/L). SEM and AFM confirmed the formation and release of micro- and nanoplastics, while Py-GC/MS identified oxidized polypropylene fragments in leachates. Metals such as barium (67.2 µg/L), zinc (14.1 µg/L), and copper (3.2 µg/L) were detected for the one-year testing. By combining material-level degradation analysis alongside leachate characterization, this work provides a comprehensive view of the environmental behavior of aged DPFMs. The overall findings highlight the potential of DPFMs to act as long-term sources of polymeric particles and chemical contaminants, underscoring the need for ameliorated waste management and further ecotoxicological assessment.

PMID:41061447 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119115

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Oct 8. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-37021-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastic tree shelters are widely used in agriculture and forestry to protect young plants from predators and generate a favorable microclimate, thus increasing survival and growth rates. Considering that several thousand tons of plastic tree shelters (mostly polypropylene, PP) are used each year in Europe and that discarded aged shelters can release microplastics, residues of additives, and even pesticides, the destination of this material after use is a matter of concern. Mechanical recycling is the best option for these residues, but its technical feasibility depends on the polymer degradation level and its contamination, both by inorganic materials and by residues of additives and/or agrochemicals. Therefore, not all tree shelter waste is suitable for recycling. The main objective of this work is to characterize the degradation and contamination of PP tree shelters used in agriculture and forestry, to obtain information on the feasibility of their mechanical recycling. The results show the presence of fungicide residues only in some tubes used in agriculture. Although the external faces of the tubes appear strongly degraded, the degradation of the overall tube material is much less due to a dilution effect. Thus, we can conclude that most PP tree shelters, even those used for several years in harsh climates, could be successfully subjected to mechanical recycling.

PMID:41060582 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-37021-y

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Oct 7;1003:180660. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180660. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Co-occurrence of pharmaceuticals and microplastics (MPs) can induce the combined toxicity, causing high risks to aquatic ecosystems. The interactions among co-occurring pollutants are important for their accurately risk assessment, but understanding on their interactions remains limited, especially aged MPs (A-MPs). Therefore, this study focused on sorption behaviors of typical pharmaceuticals (naproxen (NAP), bezafibrate (BZF), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)) in three MPs before and after aging (polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), and polyethene (PE)), and the combined toxicity was also explored. Results showed that aged MPs have 24.3-131.1 % higher sorption of pharmaceuticals than virgin MPs, with capacity closely related to their types. Specifically, aged PET, aged PS, and aged PE MPs present the largest sorption for NAP (2.037 mg g^-1), BZF (2.877 mg g^-1), and SMX (2.118 mg g^-1) in pure water, respectively (pH = 7.0, T = 25 °C). Site energy distribution analysis revealed that π-π interactions contribute a major for sorption of NAP and BZF by MPs, whereas hydrogen bonding mainly contributes for sorption of SMX. Characterization and theoretical calculations verified the results, indicating aging promotes π-π interactions between A-MPs and NAP or BZF, but enhances the hydrogen bonds between A-MPs and SMX and thus resulting a decreased toxicity of SMX on typical algae Dunaliella salina. These findings provide deeper insights on the regulating of real MPs on pharmaceutical risks in aquatic environment.

PMID:41061505 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180660

Appl Radiat Isot. 2025 Oct 4;226:112227. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.112227. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) pollution represents a critical environmental challenge, yet comprehensive characterization of MPs fragments remains an area lack of in-depth research. This study highlights the potential of X-ray microtomography (microCT) to enhance our understanding of microplastics characteristics. Five small plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fragments, approximately 2.0 mm in diameter, which are secondary in origin and exhibit irregular shapes were analyzed. Through optimized scanning parameters, a voxel size of 6.0 μm were achieved and advanced image processing techniques to improve the visualization of these low-density materials were employed. Morphometric analysis was performed using three key parameters: elongation, flatness, and sphericity, enabling a nuanced classification of the fragments. There is a significant morphological diversity among the samples, emphasizing the necessity of a multi-parameter approach for effective classification. Additionally, microCT enabled the visualization of internal structures, such as cracks, which are indicative of degradation processes. This research underscores microCT's utility in elucidating the complex behavior and environmental impact of MP pollution, while highlighting the need for further studies to refine our classification methodologies and deepen our understanding of MP formation and degradation.

PMID:41061469 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.112227

Water Res. 2025 Sep 15;288(Pt B):124619. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.124619. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Antimony (Sb) is widely used as a typical flame retardant (antimony trioxide, Sb₂O₃) in electronic equipment, but the potential mechanism of Sb release from e-waste microplastics (MPs) into the aqueous environment remains poorly understood. In this study, the release kinetics of the additive Sb were investigated using selected typical e-waste plastics, high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). A method to calculate release layer thickness was developed, and the surface release layer thickness of Sb in e-waste MPs was quantified for the first time. Regarding environmental factors, including agitation (0-165 rpm), initial pH (3-11), and salinity (0-0.2 M NaCl) of the solution were explored. Release kinetics showed that the Sb release was controlled by surface dissolution diffusion mechanisms. The equilibrium release amount (Ce) was influenced by MPs type, particle size, and surface properties, whereas the first-order release rate constant (k₁) was largely unaffected. The calculated release layer thicknesses were 271.44 ± 7.05 nm for HIPS MPs and 157.04 ± 13.22 nm for ABS MPs (25°C, pH 5.5, 165 rpm), showing minimal dependence on particle size. Additionally, agitation and extreme pH promoted Sb release by accelerating its dissolution, while extreme pH also exposed more internal Sb through the surface degradation of MPs. Salinity either promoted or inhibited release by modifying hydrophilicity of the MPs. These findings provide a theoretical basis for controlling Sb pollution originating from the electronic dismantling area and for managing additive release.

PMID:41061654 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.124619

Chemosphere. 2025 Oct 7;390:144716. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144716. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging global threat to freshwater biodiversity, yet little is known about its biological accumulation and trophic transfer in aquatic food webs. We conducted two complementary laboratory experiments simulating bromeliad-tank ecosystems to assess MP ingestion, bioaccumulation, and ecological effects on aquatic macroinvertebrates, with particular emphasis on odonata larvae (Bromeliagrion rehni). First, we evaluated whether MP ingestion varies across taxonomic groups, body regions, and exposure time. In a second experiment, we tested how different exposure pathways (waterborne vs. prey-mediated) and MP concentrations influence ingestion, growth, and survival in a top predatory insect. MP ingestion occurred widely among macroinvertebrates and varied by exposure duration and body region. Prey-mediated exposure led to significantly greater MP accumulation (10-day exposure) than direct contact with contaminated water. Odonata larvae fed contaminated prey exhibited higher growth rates, potentially due to increased prey vulnerability or compensatory foraging behavior. Environmental MP concentration seems to predict particle ingestion. Prey feeding habits influenced their contamination levels, indicating functional group-specific risks. This study provides experimental evidence of MP bioaccumulation and trophic transfer among freshwater macroinvertebrates and demonstrates how exposure route modulates contaminant uptake and biological responses. Moreover, macroinvertebrates act as key vectors of MP transfer, and dietary exposure may amplify sublethal effects across trophic levels. These findings underscore the need to integrate trophic dynamics into ecotoxicological evaluations and highlight how MP pollution may subtly-but significantly-disrupt freshwater food web structure and function.

PMID:41061563 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2025.144716

Environ Res. 2025 Oct 6;286(Pt 3):123020. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123020. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Organic compost serves as a major pathway for microplastics (MPs) entering the environment. However, atmospheric MPs pollution from composting activities remains poorly understood. This study comprehensively investigated airborne MPs pollution by comparing multiple composting techniques (reactor, stack, film-covered, and trough) using a combined approach of active and dry deposition sampling, and quantitatively assessed the associated human exposure risks. Results revealed substantial differences among composting techniques: stack composting exhibited the highest MPs abundance (16.90 items m^-3 via active sampling; 93.4 items m^-2 d^-1 via deposition sampling), whereas film-covered composting showed the lowest emissions (3.48 items m^-3 and 37.4 items m^-2 d^-1, respectively). Film-covered composting released more film-shaped MPs, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene, while stack composting emitted more rayon and polyamide. As composting progressed, airborne MPs abundance via active sampling significantly increased by 114.8 %, the proportion of smaller MPs (<800 μm) rose by 34.4 %, and the average size significantly decreased by 26.3 %. Human exposure risk, estimated via oral intake and inhalation pathways, increased as composting advanced, peaking during stack composting and reaching minimal levels during film-covered composting. These findings underscore composting as a significant pathway for MPs dispersion into the atmosphere and provide essential insights for optimizing composting practices to mitigation environmental contamination.

PMID:41061879 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.123020

Environ Res. 2025 Oct 6;287:123034. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.123034. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Freshwater microplastic pollution has emerged as a major global environmental challenge. Impoundment structures such as dams alter fluvial hydro-sedimentary conditions, facilitating microplastic settlement and retention within reservoirs. However, the vertical transport mechanisms of positively buoyant microplastics in such systems remain poorly quantified, particularly regarding how hydro-sedimentary dynamics (e.g., turbulence and suspended sediments) drive their downward migration. Here, we provide the first experimental quantification of vertical transport processes for positively buoyant microplastics under varying turbulent shear rates (G) and suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Our experiments revealed that under typical TGR hydro-sedimentary conditions, two key mechanisms governed vertical transport: (1) increasing turbulent shear forces facilitated microplastic penetration below the surface layer by overcoming buoyancy through fluid-particle interactions; (2) SSC-mediated heteroaggregation dominated their transport to deeper layers. A critical shear rate threshold was identified (G = 19.94 s^-1), at which both aggregate size and settling efficiency peaked-markedly enhancing microplastic accumulation in deep-bottom layers. The fractal dimension of aggregates exerted a greater influence on settling velocity than aggregate size alone: elevated shear rates promoted denser aggregate structures, accelerating settling; conversely, higher SSCs induced structural loosening during aggregate expansion, reducing settling rates. These findings clarify the pivotal role of hydro-sedimentary dynamics in regulating the vertical distribution of microplastics, providing a mechanistic basis for why the TGR acts as a "settling hotspot" for microplastics. More broadly, the results advance our understanding of how reservoirs trap buoyant microplastics, with implications for assessing microplastic fate in freshwater impoundments globally.

PMID:41061877 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2025.123034

BMC Microbiol. 2025 Oct 8;25(1):642. doi: 10.1186/s12866-025-04352-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota plays an important role in mediating the physiology, immunity, growth and development of animals. The composition of animals’ gut microbiota can be used to make a reasonable assessment of their state of health. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a semi-aquatic freshwater top predator. In recent years, its population has declined sharply due to human disturbance, and many populations are on the verge of extinction. Conducting research on the gut microbiota of Eurasian otters in their native environment can reveal the composition and function of their intestinal microorganisms, and provide comparative data for future assessment of the impact of disturbance on otters. Based on this, we collected fecal samples in a national park in northeast China where human interference was absent. A total of 32 and 36 otter feces were collected systematically during the snow season and snow-free season, respectively. We used high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and compared the microbial communities.

RESULTS: The composition of the otter gut microbiota varied significantly between the two seasons, and alpha diversity of the microbiota in the snow-free season was higher than that in the snow season. In the snow-free season, Firmicutes was identified as the dominant phylum and Romboutsia as the dominant genus, similar to the microbiota of fish, which is the otters’ primary prey. In the snow season, the Proteobacteria and Pseudomonas were identified as the dominant phylum and genus, respectively, likely attributable to the shift toward high-fat diet induced by cold stress. These results indicate that seasonal variations in otter diet and related factors are important causes of changes in otter gut microbiota.

CONCLUSIONS: The variations in the gut microbiota of wild Eurasian otters may reflect changes in nutritional composition of seasonal prey. Moreover, our findings function as a reference for the protection of gut microbial health in Eurasian otters. Aberrations in the gut microbial composition of urban-dwelling otters may serve as indicators of waterway pollution (such as chemical and microplastic contamination) and nutritional challenges in the future. Against this backdrop, investigations into the gut microbiota of otters living in regions affected by human activities can offer deeper insights into their microbial communities and the molecular mechanisms underlying their environmental adaptation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-025-04352-2.

PMID:41062977 | PMC:PMC12506481 | DOI:10.1186/s12866-025-04352-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 8;15(1):35128. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-19064-w.

ABSTRACT

Plastics pose a significant global threat to the ecosystems due to their accumulation and impact on human health. The degradation of plastics results in the formation of microplastics (MPs), small particles less than 5 mm in size, which are released into the environment. Polystyrene (PS) is a major chemical component of plastics, and exposure to PS-based microplastics (PS-MPs) has been linked to cellular damage. This study aimed to explore the effects of 1 μm PS-MPs on human gingival fibroblast cells (hGF). PS-MPs induced a limited cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations and time points. Confocal microscopy, TEM and flow cytometry revealed the uptake of PS-MPs in about 10% of hGF cells. Proteomics identified a profoundly altered proteostasis in PS-MPs treated cells. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins uncovered disruptions in cellular pathways, including metabolisms (glycolysis and adipogenesis), endocrine functions (androgen and oestrogen responses), inflammatory responses (interferons α and γ) and cancer progression (epithelial-mesenchymal transition). Consistent with the enrichment analysis, treated cells exhibited a significant increase in motility. This study demonstrated that PS-MPs are internalized by cells and influence key cellular pathways related to inflammation, motility, and survival, reinforcing the notion that PS-MP exposure may pose risks to human health.

PMID:41062560 | PMC:PMC12508049 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-19064-w

Mol Cancer. 2025 Oct 8;24(1):248. doi: 10.1186/s12943-025-02409-4.

ABSTRACT

The widespread environmental pollution of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has become a major public health issue, with increasing evidence associating their bioaccumulation with cancer onset. This review offers a thorough examination of the etiological contributions of MPs/NPs in carcinogenesis, clarifying their mechanistic roles in in vitro, in vivo, and patient-derived evidences. Relevant studies were systematically identified and screened following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and quality. We highlighted recent discoveries that emphasize the varied accumulation of MPs in several human cancer tissues, including lung, colorectal, gastric, cervical, breast, pancreatic, prostate and penile malignancies. These particles induce harmful biological effects by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, disturbance of lipid metabolism, and alteration of the tumor immunological microenvironment. Significantly, MPs/NPs disrupt various oncogenic signaling pathways, particularly NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, and p53, therefore facilitating tumor initiation, development, and metastasis. In vitro and in vivo studies have corroborated the carcinogenic potential of MPs/NPs, illustrating their capacity to cause cellular transformation, augment metastatic characteristics, and modify drug resistance pathways in cancer cells. Furthermore, the detection of MPs in human biological matrices, including blood, placenta, and tumor tissues, highlights direct human exposure and potential systemic effects. This review emphasizes the mechanistic insights with therapeutic significance, addressing current knowledge gaps in the field. Future research must prioritize biomarker identification, patient-centered investigations, therapeutic targeting, and the formulation of regulatory policies to alleviate the health hazards linked to microplastic exposure. Understanding the intricate relationship between MPs/NPs and cancer biology could facilitate the development of novel cancer prevention and management strategies related to environmental contamination.

PMID:41063167 | PMC:PMC12505851 | DOI:10.1186/s12943-025-02409-4

Mikrochim Acta. 2025 Oct 8;192(11):718. doi: 10.1007/s00604-025-07585-0.

ABSTRACT

A novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based approach is introduced for the highly sensitive detection of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics in serum samples using silver nanowire mesh (AgNWM) as SERS substrates. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering performance of AgNWM substrates was optimized using rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 10^-9 M. Serum samples were subjected to pre-treatment steps, including protein removal, sample enrichment, and concentration, enabling quantitative detection of multiple PFAS species at as low as 10^-8 M. PTFE and PS nanoplastics were also successfully identified at a concentration of 100 ng·mL^-1. Furthermore, the AgNWM substrates exhibited significant stability and could be reused up to 10 times for plastic detection without substantial loss of sensitivity. This highly sensitive SERS platform provides an innovative and effective methodology for the detection of PFAS, PTFE, and PS nanoplastics in complex biological matrices, with considerable potential for clinical and environmental analyses.

PMID:41060456 | DOI:10.1007/s00604-025-07585-0

Mikrochim Acta. 2025 Oct 8;192(11):718. doi: 10.1007/s00604-025-07585-0.

ABSTRACT

A novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based approach is introduced for the highly sensitive detection of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics in serum samples using silver nanowire mesh (AgNWM) as SERS substrates. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering performance of AgNWM substrates was optimized using rhodamine 6G as a probe molecule, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 10^-9 M. Serum samples were subjected to pre-treatment steps, including protein removal, sample enrichment, and concentration, enabling quantitative detection of multiple PFAS species at as low as 10^-8 M. PTFE and PS nanoplastics were also successfully identified at a concentration of 100 ng·mL^-1. Furthermore, the AgNWM substrates exhibited significant stability and could be reused up to 10 times for plastic detection without substantial loss of sensitivity. This highly sensitive SERS platform provides an innovative and effective methodology for the detection of PFAS, PTFE, and PS nanoplastics in complex biological matrices, with considerable potential for clinical and environmental analyses.

PMID:41060456 | DOI:10.1007/s00604-025-07585-0

An Acad Bras Cienc. 2025 Oct 3;97Suppl. 3(Suppl. 3):e20250019. doi: 10.1590/0001-3765202520250019. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to establish and validate a standardized protocol for the collection, treatment, and characterization of microplastic samples found in beach sands. The methodology was implemented at Praia Vermelha/RJ, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying and assessing microplastics originating from improper plastic waste disposal in coastal environments. The flotation method showed high efficiency in extracting microplastics, and the subsequent sample treatment, including thorough cleaning and drying processes, ensured reliable results. Through systematic sampling across multiple sections of the beach, a total of 32 microplastics were identified, with polystyrene being the predominant polymer. Optical microscopy effectively confirmed the presence of microplastics, revealing that the most common form was foam, with average sample diameters ranging from 2.1 mm to 4 mm. Fourier Infrared spectroscopy further confirmed the polymer composition, highlighting the dominance of polystyrene among the samples. This study underscores the importance of standardizing collection and analysis protocols for microplastics to enable consistent comparisons across regions and scales. Furthermore, the findings emphasize the urgent need for preventive measures and management strategies to reduce the influx of microplastics into coastal and marine ecosystems. Raising public awareness and promoting sustainable practices are critical steps toward mitigating the environmental impact of plastic pollution.

PMID:41059850 | DOI:10.1590/0001-3765202520250019

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 8;15(1):35128. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-19064-w.

ABSTRACT

Plastics pose a significant global threat to the ecosystems due to their accumulation and impact on human health. The degradation of plastics results in the formation of microplastics (MPs), small particles less than 5 mm in size, which are released into the environment. Polystyrene (PS) is a major chemical component of plastics, and exposure to PS-based microplastics (PS-MPs) has been linked to cellular damage. This study aimed to explore the effects of 1 μm PS-MPs on human gingival fibroblast cells (hGF). PS-MPs induced a limited cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations and time points. Confocal microscopy, TEM and flow cytometry revealed the uptake of PS-MPs in about 10% of hGF cells. Proteomics identified a profoundly altered proteostasis in PS-MPs treated cells. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins uncovered disruptions in cellular pathways, including metabolisms (glycolysis and adipogenesis), endocrine functions (androgen and oestrogen responses), inflammatory responses (interferons α and γ) and cancer progression (epithelial-mesenchymal transition). Consistent with the enrichment analysis, treated cells exhibited a significant increase in motility. This study demonstrated that PS-MPs are internalized by cells and influence key cellular pathways related to inflammation, motility, and survival, reinforcing the notion that PS-MP exposure may pose risks to human health.

PMID:41062560 | PMC:PMC12508049 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-19064-w

Front Microbiol. 2025 Sep 22;16:1686836. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1686836. eCollection 2025.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41059062 | PMC:PMC12497804 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1686836

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 7;386:127212. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Agricultural plastics like mulching films may become a major source of microplastic (MP) soil contamination during their degradation and fragmentation. This study investigates the effects of agricultural MPs from conventional (linear low-density polyethylene, PE) and biodegradable (starch-blended polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate, PBAT-BD) mulching films on soil physicochemical properties, aggregation, microbial diversity and functions, litter decomposition, and greenhouse gases emissions (GHG). For this purpose, MPs were mixed into soils at realistic MP concentrations of 0.005 % and 0.05 % (w/w) in 2022 on experimental plots in three EU countries representing different pedoclimatic conditions (Finland, Germany and Spain), followed by monitoring of the above-mentioned variables in the subsequent growing seasons 2022 and 2023. We found several significant MP-induced effects for soil properties, aggregation, microbial diversity, litter decomposition, and GHG, but the effect endpoints were less pronounced or varied considerably. Contrarily, microbial activity, contributing to soil functions such as nitrogen cycling, was consistently reduced by both conventional and biodegradable MPs. The reductions were more pronounced after the second season and for the higher MP treatment. As the higher MP concentration (i.e., 0.05 % w/w) is environmentally relevant in Europe, our findings emphasize the potential effects of environmentally relevant MP concentrations on soil health. Furthermore, the effects increased from north to south, probably modulated by varying pedoclimatic conditions, inducing reflection of a need for regionally tailored risk assessment to protect soil from plastic pollution.

PMID:41061886 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127212

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Sep 27;289:107591. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107591. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that linger in the air, water, and land. Beyond their physical and chemical risks, there is growing evidence that MPs contribute to the worldwide antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dilemma by acting as carriers of harmful microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Despite an increase in research, the available literature is dispersed, and the part that MPs play in influencing microbial populations and fostering resistance is still not well understood. This review summarizes current research on how MPs contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance. We concentrated on the ways in which MPs support horizontal gene transfer (HGT) processes such as conjugation, transformation, and transduction, assist biofilm development, and offer surfaces for microbial colonization. Evidence from a variety of settings suggests that MPs serve as vectors for opportunistic pathogens, such as the ESKAPE group, and ARGs, increasing the survival and movement of resistance determinants in ecosystems. Through the consolidation of current developments, this review emphasizes MPs as active resistance vectors instead of passive pollutants. We also point out important limitations, such as the lack of standardized procedures, inadequate risk assessment frameworks, and the absence of real-world exposure research. It is imperative that these issues be approached from a One Health standpoint in order to reduce the risks of both plastic pollution and antibiotic resistance.

PMID:41056605 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107591

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 6;222(Pt 2):118785. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118785. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical environmental concern, yet its impacts on host-associated viral communities and immune balance in marine bivalves remain largely unexplored. In this study, Mytilus coruscus individuals were exposed to microplastics in situ for seven days. Virome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses revealed that microplastic exposure induced divergent responses in DNA and RNA viral communities. DNA viromes exhibited suppressed diversity and downregulation of core viral metabolic pathways, potentially reflecting reduced viral replication capacity under host immune stress. In contrast, RNA viromes displayed metabolic activation and functional shifts, including enriched glycan and nucleotide metabolism, possibly linked to enhanced viral activity or immune evasion. Phage-bacteria interaction networks were also restructured, showing increased associations with opportunistic pathogens such as Vibrio cholerae and Enterobacter, potentially affecting immune surveillance. Furthermore, the expression of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in viral genomes was differentially regulated, suggesting pollutant-induced microbial selection that may challenge host immune resilience. These findings suggest that microplastics not only reshape virome composition and metabolic functions but also influence virus-mediated immune interactions, with important implications for disease susceptibility and immune homeostasis in filter-feeding shellfish.

PMID:41056669 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118785

Sci Total Environ. 2025 Oct 6;1003:180611. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180611. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as pollutants of global concern, yet their impacts on the livestock remain underexplored. This study investigated MNP pollution in nine large-scale dairy farms in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region by analyzing soil, feed, and atmospheric samples. Laser direct infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the abundance, morphology, size, and polymer types of microplastics (MPs), showing that the soil, feed, and atmosphere samples contained an average of 1757.89, 9432.21 MPs n/kg, and 1.86 MPs/m³, respectively. Fragment MPs smaller than 100 μm dominated in all samples, while chlorinated polyisoprene and polyvinyl chloride were predominant polymer types. Nanoplastics (NPs) in manure-amended soil were detected via Py-GC/MS, varying from 2.21 to 30.23 mg/kg, with polyethylene NPs ubiquitous in all samples. Backward trajectory modeling showed that atmospheric MPs originated predominantly from northwest, northeast, and southwest airflows. The Positive Matrix Factorization model identified eight potential sources for soil MNPs, eight for feed MPs, and four for atmospheric MPs. All sampling sites were assessed as low risk in terms of ecological risk, and there were no non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to humans. This research provides insights into the distribution, sources, and environmental risks of MNPs in livestock farming, offering a scientific foundation for targeted mitigation strategies.

PMID:41056606 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180611

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 4;499:140056. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140056. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Information about microplastics (MPs) in the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ), a transitional zone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, remains relatively limited. To address this knowledge gap, this study selected the WLFZ (150-170 m) of Danjiangkou Reservoir and conducted large-scale sampling of soil and shoreline water samples before the rainy season. The aim was to investigate the distribution and characteristics of MPs in the WLFZ and to identify the key influencing factors. The results showed that the abundance of soil MPs in the WLFZ ranged from 144 to 1050 items/kg. The MPs abundance in the Dan Reservoir was higher than that in the Han Reservoir. Specifically, the mainstream exhibited higher MPs abundance than the tributaries in the Dan Reservoir, whereas the tributaries in the Han Reservoir were larger than the mainstream. The abundance of soil MPs in bare land and farmland was significantly higher than in grassland and woodland. The MPs are predominantly the size of 0.1-1 mm, the shape of fibers and pellets, the color of transparent and blue, and the polymer types are mainly polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Among all influencing factors, human activities (distance from village and population density) and land use was identified as determinants of MPs abundance. The hydrological environment of the reservoir, including water level fluctuations, reservoir bays and banks, and mainstreams and tributaries, influenced the redistribution of MPs. This study systematically reveals the distribution of MPs pollution in the WLFZ and provides a key scientific basis for the prevention and control of MPs pollution.

PMID:41056722 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140056

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Sep 30;499:140018. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Plastics constitute an area of interest within the context of the placental exposome. A growing body of evidence now indicates that various micro- and nanoplastics - including notably polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinylchloride - are present in the human placenta, from the basal plate to the fetal membranes. Results from in vitro and ex vivo studies have shown that these environmental pollutants can enter the maternal bloodstream and reach the placenta, where they concentrate in the syncytiotrophoblast. These so-called "plasticenta" have been observed even in uncomplicated pregnancies, and to date, no longitudinal study has confirmed harmful long-term consequences for the newborn. However, plastics appear to alter placental functions and may therefore be associated with adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Findings from ex vivo human studies, in vivo murine models, and in vitro experiments with micro- and nanoplastics indicate that factors such as particle type, size, concentration, surface functionalization, route of exposure, and environmental conditions play key roles in cellular uptake and subsequent alterations in cell function and phenotype. Consequently, various impairments in placental metabolic and immune functions may contribute to abnormal development of the placenta and the fetus. Maternal exposure to these ubiquitous environmental pollutants may induce prenatal and neonatal disease states. In this review, we examine the current clinical, in vivo and in vitro data on the occurrence, distribution and impact of micro- and nanoplastics in the placenta.

PMID:41056721 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140018

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 3;499:140044. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics (MPs) are increasingly being recognized as co-occurring emerging contaminants that pose environmental and human health risks. While both pollutant classes have been extensively studied independently, their interactions, combined environmental behavior, and co-exposure pathways remain insufficiently understood. Herein, we identify their common emission sources and overlapping spatial distributions, highlighting the four major anthropogenic sources responsible for their dual emission. Subsequently, we describe their co-existence across environmental compartments, with particular emphasis on adsorption processes, providing strong evidence of their interaction and co-transport. Adsorption efficiency is shown to be strongly influenced by their molecular features (e.g., PFAS structure and polymer type) and environmental conditions (e.g., pH, NOM and ionic strength). Furthermore, we provide the first integrated comparison of their biological transfer processes, including evidence of PFAS and MP co-exposure in humans. Finally, we consolidate these findings into a coherent framework, underscoring the urgent need for standardized analytical protocols, long-term and low-dose exposure studies, and cross-scale approaches that bridge molecular interactions with ecological and human health outcomes.

PMID:41056724 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140044

J Environ Manage. 2025 Oct 6;394:127477. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127477. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The presence of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in agricultural soils poses significant ecological risks due to its resistance to biodegradation. Despite the widespread use of polyethylene mulch, the potential of soil microorganisms to degrade LDPE microplastic particles (MPPs) remains underexplored. This study represents one of the first attempts to isolate and evaluate the LDPE MPP degradation potential of fungal strains isolated from agricultural soils exposed to polyethylene mulch. Four LDPE MPP-degrading fungal strains (Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Penicillium sp., and P. olsonii) were isolated from polyethylene-mulched agricultural soil. After 30 d of incubation in mineral salt medium, F. oxysporum, F. solani, Penicillium sp., and P. olsonii degraded 2.40, 2.36, 5.25, and 2.94 % (w/w) of the LDPE MPPs, respectively. This represents the first report of P. olsonii as an LDPE degrader. Scanning electron microscopy revealed extensive microbial colonization and morphological changes on treated LDPE surfaces, indicating fungal colonization and surface degradation. Enzyme activity assays demonstrated the contribution of laccase and manganese peroxidase to LDPE degradation. This study provides valuable insights into the biodegradation potential of soil plastisphere-derived Fusarium and Penicillium strains and highlights their potential as promising agents for the bioremediation of LDPE-contaminated agricultural soils. However, further research is needed to address the effects of environmental variability and microbial competition and to improve the scalability of fungal-based biodegradation strategies.

PMID:41056775 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127477

J Environ Manage. 2025 Oct 6;394:127517. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127517. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are widespread, persistent environmental contaminants. However, the influence of MP particle size on ARGs dissemination and soil ecosystem health remains unclear. Herein, polyethylene MPs of three sizes (100, 1,000, and 10,000 nm) were incubated in ARG-contaminated soils for 45 days to evaluate their effects on soil physicochemical properties, microbial communities, ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and pathogen abundance. MP exposure significantly increased soil water (up to 4.07-fold), total nitrogen (up to 50.34 %), and ammonium nitrogen (up to 38.54 %) contents. Conversely, soil organic carbon content decreased with increasing MP size. MPs markedly reduced the activities of key enzymes, including alkaline phosphatase (by 87.65 %), sucrase (by 10.96 %), and urease (by 54.17 %). Microbial α-diversity increased; however, the abundance of potentially pathogenic Pseudomonadota increased by up to 41.88 %, whereas that of beneficial Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi declined. MPs promoted the expression of 44 ARGs and 15 MGEs, with smaller MPs exhibiting stronger enrichment. They also increased the expression of virulence factors and the abundance of human- and plant-associated pathogens. Random forest modeling revealed that smaller MPs primarily drove these changes by altering soil physicochemical properties and microbial dynamics. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MPs, especially smaller particles, simultaneously alter soil chemistry, suppress enzyme activities, reshape microbial communities, and enhance ARGs expression and pathogen proliferation, underscoring their significant ecological and human health risks in agricultural soils.

PMID:41056780 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127517

Aquat Toxicol. 2025 Oct 2;289:107594. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107594. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have documented the ecotoxicity of microplastics in aquatic organisms, yet the mechanistic pathways linking early molecular disturbances to higher-level biological outcomes remain poorly understood. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive multi-level ecotoxicological review integrated with automated text-mining using AOP-helpFinder 3.0. This approach retrieved confidence scores for stressor-event and event-event relationships, enabling systematic identification of candidate molecular initiating events (MIEs), key events (KEs), and adverse outcomes (AOs). A putative adverse outcome pathway (AOP) network was then constructed, anchored on susceptible tissues (gill, gut, liver/gonad, and brain) and incorporating downstream cascades of interlinked KEs. From this network, a linear AOP was selected and qualitatively evaluated using Bradford Hill criteria to assess causal linkages. The weight-of-evidence assessment revealed strong support for early and midstream key event relationships, whereas downstream relationships remained weakly substantiated, highlighting critical knowledge gaps. Importantly, this review emphasizes the need to adapt the classical definition of the MIE for non-chemical particulate stressors such as microplastics. We propose that the initial mechanistic interaction occurring at epithelial surfaces represents the putative MIE for microplastic toxicity in aquatic organisms. Overall, this review applies the AOP framework as a qualitative tool to organize mechanistic evidence of microplastic toxicity. By capturing the cascading effects of microplastic exposure across biological levels, the proposed AOP network provides a structured basis for predictive ecotoxicological assessment and supports the development of regulatory risk management strategies for microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

PMID:41056603 | DOI:10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107594

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 3;499:140044. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and microplastics (MPs) are increasingly being recognized as co-occurring emerging contaminants that pose environmental and human health risks. While both pollutant classes have been extensively studied independently, their interactions, combined environmental behavior, and co-exposure pathways remain insufficiently understood. Herein, we identify their common emission sources and overlapping spatial distributions, highlighting the four major anthropogenic sources responsible for their dual emission. Subsequently, we describe their co-existence across environmental compartments, with particular emphasis on adsorption processes, providing strong evidence of their interaction and co-transport. Adsorption efficiency is shown to be strongly influenced by their molecular features (e.g., PFAS structure and polymer type) and environmental conditions (e.g., pH, NOM and ionic strength). Furthermore, we provide the first integrated comparison of their biological transfer processes, including evidence of PFAS and MP co-exposure in humans. Finally, we consolidate these findings into a coherent framework, underscoring the urgent need for standardized analytical protocols, long-term and low-dose exposure studies, and cross-scale approaches that bridge molecular interactions with ecological and human health outcomes.

PMID:41056724 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140044

J Transl Med. 2025 Oct 7;23(1):1061. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-07081-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading global cause of disability, has been increasingly associated with environmental microplastic (MP) exposure. MPs bioaccumulate in human tissues via the food chain and may disrupt joint homeostasis through inflammatory and oxidative pathways. However, their role in OA pathogenesis remains underexplored in translational contexts.

METHODS: We conducted a synthesis of environmental microplastic contamination data from global aquatic ecosystems, integrated with molecular pathway analyses and epidemiological evidence. Microplastic sampling and polymer identification were performed using GPS mapping, stereomicroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Public health implications were assessed through cost-effectiveness analyses of MP mitigation strategies.

RESULTS: High MP exposure regions demonstrated elevated OA prevalence, with MPs identified in cartilage and skeletal tissues. Mechanistically, MPs activated NLRP3 inflammasomes, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disrupted osteoblast/osteoclast balance. Epidemiological data revealed that populations in coastal and industrial regions exhibited up to 1.85-fold increased OA risk. Cost-benefit modeling indicated that MP reduction strategies, such as seafood safety regulations and advanced water filtration, could yield annual healthcare savings exceeding $50 billion globally.

CONCLUSIONS: Microplastics constitute an emerging and modifiable environmental risk factor for OA. Translational strategies targeting MP reduction may mitigate OA burden and offer substantial public health and economic benefits. This underscores the need for integrated environmental-health policies and further clinical investigation.

PMID:41057870 | PMC:PMC12502272 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-025-07081-2

Mar Environ Res. 2025 Oct 4;212:107590. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107590. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mariculture regions represent significant hotspots for microplastic (MP) pollution. While eco-friendly floats are increasingly replacing conventional counterparts, the efficacy of this intervention in mitigating MP pollution and its implications for metal adsorption behavior in the marine environment remain poorly characterized. This study investigated the influence of eco-friendly float replacement on MP pollution and their metal adsorption behavior in Sanggou Bay, China. The results showed that the average abundance of MPs was 4.50 ± 0.57 items/L in surface seawater and 1872.86 ± 138.68 items/kg in sediments, respectively. MPs smaller than 0.5 mm and fibers in shape were dominated in both surface seawater and sediments. Transparent MPs were most prevalent, with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) as the dominant polymers. Following the replacement of conventional floats with eco-friendly floats, MP abundance in surface seawater decreased by 77.57 %. Notably, MP toxicity equivalent values in both seawater and sediment were significantly declined, indicating that eco-friendly floats effectively alleviate MP pollution. Analysis of metal adsorption onto MPs in surface seawater indicated that Mn, Cr, and Cu accounted for >84 % of total adsorption. Adsorption behavior was influenced by MP size, polymer type, and ambient metal concentrations. These findings highlight eco-friendly floats as an effective mitigation strategy to reduce MP pollution and advance understanding of the fate and risk of MPs in mariculture ecosystem.

PMID:41056868 | DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107590

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Oct 7;197(11):1183. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14666-3.

ABSTRACT

This narrative review examines the significant advances of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the identification and microbial degradation of environmentally persistent compounds, addressing major issues in pollution monitoring and management. Persistent pollutants, including microplastics, heavy metals, and synthetic pesticides, pose significant threats to environmental sustainability due to their resistance to natural degradation and their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Through the qualitative synthesis of over 50 recent peer-reviewed studies, this review highlights notable AI-driven developments representing substantial innovations in environmental biotechnology. Enhanced detection capabilities are demonstrated by AI models, which achieve exceptional detection accuracies exceeding 90% for microplastic classification, enabling precise ecological monitoring that was previously difficult with traditional methods. Compared with conventional methods, advanced enzyme engineering is exemplified by the AI-enabled design of engineered enzymes that increase the degradation rates of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers by up to 46-fold, representing a significant increase in bioremediation technology. Innovative predictive frameworks emerge from AI integration, accelerating the design of microbial enzymes and predicting pollutant behaviors with remarkable accuracy, providing a novel framework for pollution control that is not achievable through conventional approaches. This study demonstrates substantial improvements in the accuracy and efficiency of identifying and monitoring environmental pollutants, enabling more precise assessment and proactive management strategies. The strategic integration of AI in environmental applications has accelerated microbial enzyme design, enhanced ecological risk assessments, and provided innovative solutions for addressing persistent pollution challenges. The findings of this review emphasize AI's crucial and creative role of AI in environmental biotechnology, offering valuable insights for developing sustainable remediation strategies to combat persistent pollutants and protect ecosystem health.

PMID:41055779 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14666-3

Front Toxicol. 2025 Sep 19;7:1649282. doi: 10.3389/ftox.2025.1649282. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are a troubling consequence of modern civilization, permeating ecosystems worldwide and posing a risk to both the environment and human health. As studies have revealed their extensive distribution throughout bodies of water, soil, and the atmosphere, the ecological crisis and health issues linked to microplastics have become a significant concern within the global scientific community. These tiny particles can enter the human body through various routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and even skin contact, and they have been shown to cross critical barriers such as the placental and blood-brain barriers. Their accumulation in the food chain disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems and may impair cognitive function and behavioral patterns in living organisms. Alarmingly, there is increasing evidence suggesting that microscopic particles may contribute to the increasing rates of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper reviews the pathways through which microplastics are ingested, their effects on biological functions, and the potential mechanisms that contribute to their neurotoxicity. We emphasize the urgent need for further research to elucidate the toxicological impacts of microplastics and devise effective strategies for mitigating their effects on both ecosystems and human health.

PMID:41048613 | PMC:PMC12491214 | DOI:10.3389/ftox.2025.1649282

J Anal At Spectrom. 2025 Aug 21. doi: 10.1039/d5ja00141b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics have emerged as significant environmental contaminants due to the increasing production of polymer-based products and their limited disposal options. The persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and ability of microplastics to adsorb and transport toxic contaminants pose a risk to ecosystems and human health. Consequently, precise detection, characterization, and visualization of microplastics in various matrices are of paramount importance. However, the inherent challenges of analysing particles across broad size ranges with diverse physicochemical properties call for advanced analytical methods. This review focuses on two promising laser ablation-based techniques: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Both methods have demonstrated their utility in spatially resolved analyses, enabling the elemental characterization of microplastics. The review systematically evaluates existing studies employing these techniques, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and potential applications. Furthermore, it emphasizes the complementary nature of LIBS and LA-ICP-MS, advocating their tandem use for a comprehensive analysis of microplastics. By addressing current gaps in microplastic environmental research, this review aims to propose novel methodologies that can help to advance the understanding of the environmental fate and impacts of microplastics, facilitating the development of effective mitigation strategies.

PMID:41048855 | PMC:PMC12489450 | DOI:10.1039/d5ja00141b

RSC Adv. 2025 Oct 3;15(44):36670-36703. doi: 10.1039/d5ra04896f. eCollection 2025 Oct 2.

ABSTRACT

Micro- and nanoplastics (M/NPs) are widespread environmental pollutants arising from the increased use of plastics, presenting significant threats to human health and freshwater ecosystems. These particles are derived from both secondary and primary sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris and industrial abrasives, and cosmetics. After being released, M/NPs move through the air, water, and soil, where they persist, bioaccumulate, and interact with biological systems, potentially causing toxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study thoroughly addresses the origins, environmental routes, and health impacts of M/NPs, as well as the most current remediation strategies. Physical, chemical, biological, and hybrid therapeutic techniques are evaluated critically, with adsorption receiving special attention due to its efficiency and simplicity of usage. Graphene oxide (GO), a potential carbon-based adsorbent with a large surface area, several oxygen-containing functional groups, and a remarkable removal capability (up to 617.28 mg g^-1 for polystyrene microplastics), receives special attention. Along with a comparison with other adsorbents, the review discusses GO's structural properties, synthesis procedures (including the Hummers' process), and adsorption mechanisms. This study contributes to the development of cutting-edge, environmentally friendly water treatment technologies by combining new research and emphasising the potential of GO-based materials for effective M/NP remediation in aquatic settings.

PMID:41050605 | PMC:PMC12495407 | DOI:10.1039/d5ra04896f

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Oct 6. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c04868. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Instrumental imaging accelerates the analysis of microplastics but suffers from reduced detection accuracy during the segmentation of fibers and nonfibers due to particle aggregation and discontinuities. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an automated analytical method to characterize environmental microplastics based on instrumental imaging. By leveraging a manually labeled data set (130,536 particles), our established diffluent amodal instance segmentation former (DAISF) model greatly improved the ability to correct the aggregation and discontinuity issues due to the use of the Gauss-Laplace operator, which has superior segmentation performance. Compared to the instrument detection, this model significantly improved the detection of aggregated fibers and nonfibers by 71.8 ± 19.5% and 89.2 ± 24.1%, respectively, and of discontinuous fibers and nonfibers by 90.2 ± 14.7% and 98.4 ± 4.4%, respectively. The proposed computational method demonstrated superior performance compared to the instrument-based approach, achieving significantly higher recall and F1 scores. Quantitative validation revealed exceptional alignment with ground-truth measurements, exhibiting low relative errors in particle number (≤19.1%), length (≤20.2%), and mass (≤12.4%), representing improvements over the instrumental approach of 31.0-, 3.1-, and 8.8-fold, respectively. Overall, the established approach can accurately obtain microplastic concentrations and multiparameters based on instrumental imaging, indicating its usefulness in the efficient detection and rapid monitoring of environmental microplastics.

PMID:41052026 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c04868

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 Oct 6. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c07996. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A deeper understanding of the photoaging dynamic release mechanism of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) is crucial for revealing the behavioral patterns and ecological risks of microplastics. This study focused on the MP-DOM release process and molecular transformation mechanism of conventional polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) particles for 94 days under ultraviolet aging. Multistage kinetic simulation results indicated that the leaching rate constant and half-life of PS-DOM were approximately 10^-3-10^-6 and 30-300 times that of PBAT-DOM, respectively. The leaching process of PS-DOM could be categorized into three distinct stages: a rapid release period, plateau period, and slow release period, initially undergoing -C reactions of lignin-like compounds, followed by +H₂O₂ reactions of aromatic compounds, and finally -CH₂ reactions of lignin-like compounds. PBAT-DOM displayed a rapid release period, slow release period, and degradation period, with lignin-like compounds as the main reaction components, experiencing -CH₂, +O, and +H₂O₂ reactions, respectively. Noticeably, PS-DOM, along with its continuously increased molecular toxicity, exhibited a greater risk of toxicity relative to PBAT-DOM with a volcanic-like change of toxicity during the whole transformation process. This study reveals the staged characteristics and molecular transformation mechanisms of MP-DOM, which is beneficial for gaining a deeper understanding of their potential harm to eco-environment systems.

PMID:41052416 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5c07996

Commun Chem. 2025 Oct 6;8(1):297. doi: 10.1038/s42004-025-01720-x.

ABSTRACT

Fossil-based packaging materials pose significant environmental challenges due to their persistence and carbon footprint, resulting in pollution and long-term climate change. Here we develop bioplastic packaging alternatives (films and trays) from protein-rich microbial biomass with glycerol as the plasticizer. The microbial biomass demonstrated excellent film-forming properties through compression molding, and the final materials exhibited good mechanical properties and excellent gas barrier properties - an average oxygen permeability coefficient of 0.33 cm³ mm m^-2 day^-1 atm^-1 at 50% relative humidity and 23 °C. The oxygen barrier properties highlight these microbial biomass materials as a promising, sustainable alternative to fossil-based synthetic films like EVOH, which are widely used in multilayer food packaging. Beyond offering a microplastic-free solution, the protein-rich materials present an opportunity to mitigate microplastic pollution at the end of their lifecycle. The current results position bioplastics based on microbial biomass as a critical step forward in addressing environmental sustainability challenges with current commercial packaging materials.

PMID:41053256 | PMC:PMC12500970 | DOI:10.1038/s42004-025-01720-x

Sci Rep. 2025 Oct 6;15(1):34783. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18550-5.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MP) are considered as a new persistent environmental pollutant. The study investigated the impact of probiotics on reproductive toxicity induced by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MP). It was observed that PS-MP administration caused dose-dependent testicular damage and negatively regulated the expression of kisspeptin and its receptors in the hypothalamus. However, supplementation of probiotics significantly mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation in cell experiments. In animal experiments, probiotics were found to improve testicular damage, decrease sperm nitric oxide, and increase blood levels of sex hormones in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that probiotics may play a role in reducing testicular damage caused by PS-MP through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study provides valuable insights into mitigating the reproductive damage associated with microplastic exposure and offers a new approach to addressing microplastic toxicology for reproductive health.

PMID:41053344 | PMC:PMC12501220 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-18550-5

Glob Chang Biol. 2025 Oct;31(10):e70526. doi: 10.1111/gcb.70526.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are persistent contaminants with serious environmental and human health consequences. This review examines the origins, distribution, and impacts of MPs on ecosystems, human health, and climate change. MPs are harmful contaminants prevalent everywhere, from wastewater treatment plants to polar regions, where a concentration as high as 1300-4800 particles per m³ has been detected. In addition to advanced microscopy, methods such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy-techniques that analyze the molecular composition of materials-are widely employed to detect MPs. Once MPs are detected and characterized using these techniques, the next critical step involves their remediation from the environment. Based on the type of MPs, physical, chemical, or biological methods have been used for the remediation of MPs from the environment. Physical methods such as filtration and adsorption are simple and inexpensive, achieving over 99% removal of MPs in laboratory tests; however, these methods are only trap and immobilize the MPs, requiring additional steps for complete remediation. Chemical methods such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and electrocoagulation are highly effective, capable of removing 80% of MPs but requiring a high energy input. Biological remediation techniques such as biodegradation appear to be a sustainable approach for mitigating MPs, with some species of Aspergillus capable of degrading over 94% of MPs, although it is still being investigated in the field. Even after significant advancements, challenges such as the fragmentation of MPs into nanoplastics and the release of by-products in the environment persist. Emerging solutions-such as bioengineered enzymes, which could prevent the fragmentation of MPs into nanoplastics, biosensors for rapid detection to reduce by-product release, and genetic modification of microorganisms designed for targeted degradation-offer promising directions to overcome current limitations. The development of standard detection methods and large-scale remediation measures is a key to alleviating the detrimental effects of MP pollution.

PMID:41047901 | DOI:10.1111/gcb.70526

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2025 Oct 6:vgaf247. doi: 10.1093/etojnl/vgaf247. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Soil microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging concern with uncertain carbon (C) cycling impacts. Among MPs, fiber-shaped particles may exert distinct effects due to their high surface area and dissimilarity from natural soil structures. This study aimed to assess the physical and chemical mechanisms by which MP addition alters soil C dynamics, especially through their impacts on priming effect. We assessed two common MP polymers and shapes-low-density polyethylene beads and acrylic fibers-at two addition rates (0.1% and 1% w/w), paired with inert glass particle controls mimicking the same MP shapes and a negative control with soil only. Natural abundance δ1³C isotopic analysis distinguished MP-derived and soil-derived CO2 emissions over a 63-day incubation period. Fiber-shaped additions of either glass or MPs reduced total CO2 emissions by 25%, whereas bead-shaped additions had no measurable effect. Plastic-derived CO2 constituted a minor but detectable portion of total emissions, with similar decomposition rates across polymer types. Surprisingly, higher MP concentrations decomposed up to 10 times slower than lower concentrations, suggesting that MPs may clump together, reducing the surface area available for microbial colonization, thereby slowing down breakdown. Our results show that fiber-shaped MPs significantly disrupt soil C cycling, mainly through physical disturbance, while chemical effects (ie, presence/absence of plastics) are secondary. Finally, soil priming effect increased with the amount of MPs added, raising additional concerns about the consequences of rising soil plastic contaminations worldwide.

PMID:41051266 | DOI:10.1093/etojnl/vgaf247

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 4;499:140048. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140048. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Airborne microplastics (AMPs) can accumulate various toxic chemicals during aging. However, the temporal variations of AMPs' ecological risks remain poorly characterized, particularly over decadal timescales. Studying AMPs deposited on roofs of buildings of varying ages provides key insights into their long-term ecological risks. This study investigated AMPs on rooftops of buildings of different ages in Chengdu and Nanchong, China. Sample analysis revealed that AMPs particle size and abundance varied significantly with building age. AMPs abundance peaked in 5-8-year-old buildings, while the proportion of small-sized AMPs increased with building age. Using Multi-Characteristic Potential Ecological Risk Index, we assessed the long-term aging risk of AMPs in buildings of different ages. Differential dynamics models were established for simulating the evolution of AMPs' long-term aging risk. It indicated a nonlinear increase in AMPs ecological risk with building age, exhibiting a "fast-then-slow" growth pattern. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters showed that urban human activities emissions and long-term aging fragmentation of AMPs are key drivers of AMPs' long-term risks in the short and long term, respectively. The city‑scale spatial distribution patterns of AMPs ecological risks are revealed by web crawling techniques. AMPs in urban cores were found to have higher ecological risks than those in peripheral zones, aligning with the urban spatial expansion hypothesis. With the popularity of green roofs that can enhance the connectivity of urban ecological networks, this work gives new insight into the ecological risk of AMPs to the roof microecosystem.

PMID:41046669 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140048

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 4;222(Pt 2):118797. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118797. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a significant environmental problem of increasing potential consequences for ecosystem health. The present work represents the first study to evaluate the occurrence of MPs particles on Syrian beaches, covering four coastal locations namely, Tartous (Golden sand and Albasira), Lattakia (Blue coast), and Baniyas (Musfat Baniyas). MPs were extracted from sand using density separation (NaCl, 1.2 g mL^-1) and enzymatic digestion (Protease) was carried out to ensure that MPs were free of organic materials. Fluorescence microscopy with Nile Red staining was used to detect and count MPs, while attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to identify their polymer types and compositions as well as their surface morphology. The total MPs concentrations in the four different locations varied from 0.22 ± 0.12 to 17.8 ± 5.0 items kg^-1 of dry sand with sizes classified into 0.3-1 mm and 1-5 mm fractions. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and oxidized polyethylene were identified as the main constituents of the MPs samples. The findings reveal that Syrian beaches are already affected by MPs contamination, with variation linked to local human activity. Given the dependence of Syrian coastal communities on fisheries, tourism, and industrial activities, these results underline the urgent need for national monitoring programs, improved waste management policies, and regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. This baseline study therefore provides critical scientific evidence to support both environmental policy and future research on marine pollution in Syria.

PMID:41046583 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118797

J Hazard Mater. 2025 Oct 3;499:140039. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140039. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable mulch films (BMFs) are nowadays the alternative to conventional agricultural plastics for widespread cultivation all over the world. However, their long-term environmental impact, particularly concerning the behavior of embedded polymer additives (PAs) such as plasticizers, stabilizers, and antioxidants, remains poorly understood. These additives, not covalently bound to the polymer matrix, can leach into the soil during film degradation, potentially posing risks to ecosystems and human health. This study presents the first field burial investigation into the leaching and transformation of PAs from BMFs in a real-world context. A dual analytical approach was used: (i) targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to quantify 15 representative additives and (ii) untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to identify transformation by-products. Analyses were performed on both BMFs and surrounding soils over different burial periods. Results show variable leaching behavior influenced by molecular weight, polarity, and polymer affinity. Notably, stabilizers like Irgafos 168 persist in microplastic fragments derived from BMF degradation, suggesting potential long-term accumulation in soil. In contrast, more polar additives such as tributyl-O-acetylcitrate exhibited vertical mobility. These findings provide crucial insights into the environmental fate of BMFs and support the need for improved risk assessment and regulatory strategies in agroecosystems.

PMID:41046671 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140039

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 3;386:127209. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127209. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The deep seafloor is the largest reservoir for plastic contamination; yet, it remains unclear whether Carbon introduced through synthetic polymers might alter key ecosystem functions. We assessed the potential alterations in organic matter (OM) cycling triggered by a pulse-injection of microplastics (MPs) into deep sea sediments collected from the upper bathyal zone at 530 m depth. Sediments were exposed for 15, 30 and 45 days to environmentally relevant concentrations (∼0.25 % in weight) of naturally weathered MPs (size range 70-210 μm) of polyethylene, tyre wear particles, and a mixture of polymers. Weathered MPs significantly affected the semi-labile fractions of sedimentary OM and extracellular enzymatic activities, ultimately impairing carbon degradation and turnover rates. Polymer-specific effects were observed in carbohydrate and lipid contents, as well as in the activities of alkaline phosphatase and β-glucosidase, with tyre wear particles exerting the most intense impact. Notably, the polymer mixture triggered a less intense effect compared to the same concentration of single polymers. This study highlights how MP contamination can disrupt biogeochemical cycles in deep-sea soft bottoms. Given that these ecosystems constitute the largest portion of the oceans' seafloor, impacts here documented may signal possible cascading effects throughout the ecological hierarchy. Further research is needed to fully understand the dynamics and effects triggered by substantial accumulation of plastic-derived Carbon in these ecosystems.

PMID:41047061 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127209

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 3;386:127211. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127211. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) are among the most widely studied pollutants, yet their transport pathways and mass concentrations have been relatively unexplored using numerical modelling in aquatic environments. In this study, we investigated the transport dynamics, spatial distribution, and impact levels of MPs in Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, utilizing a hydrodynamic model coupled with the particle tracking module. An improved risk matrix approach was applied to semi-quantitatively assess the Species Impact Index (SII) of MPs on Finless Porpoises and Siberian White Cranes. This study showed that PA/PVC particles were largely retained outside the main basin, while PP/PE particles entered the central lake with shape- and density-dependent lag times. PE settled faster and exhibited longer retention than PP, with high-surface-area morphotypes (e.g., fibres, films) accelerating sedimentation through biofilm-mediated density increase. Spatially heterogeneous MP accumulation occurred in resuspension-prone regions driven by complex bathymetry and hydrodynamics. SII results indicated significant spatial overlap between MP footprints and critical habitats of the sensitive species, with PP/PE fibres and foams posing Grade III (significant) risks in northern and southwestern subregions. Based on the evaluation results, targeted recommendations were proposed for the management and control of MPs in Poyang Lake, providing a protective framework for lake administrators.

PMID:41047063 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127211

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 4;386:127208. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127208. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anthropogenic microparticle pollution is a pervasive phenomenon affecting even remote environments, such as natural caves. Despite potential impacts on these fragile and valuable underground ecosystems, data on microparticle concentration in natural caves still remain sparse and often based on limited sampling and insufficient spatial replication. In this study, a hierarchical sampling design including large (between caves, 1000 s m), medium (subareas within caves, 10 s m), local (stations within subareas, 100 s cm) and small (among replicates, 10 s cm) scale, was implemented to identify patterns of spatial variation in microparticle contamination of surface sediments from two caves in the Classical Karst (NE Italy). Suspected anthropogenic microparticles were detected in all samples, with an average concentration of 90.9 items kg^-1 dry weight, predominantly transparent particles (>34.9 %), often fibers <1 mm (49.9 - 58.1 %). Most of the items (94.5 %) were microplastics made of PP (45 %), PET (35 %), and PE (20 %), whereas the remaining microparticles consisted of non-plastic items, including unknown cellulose (5 %) and anthropogenic cellulose (0.5 %). The total number of microparticles, their type, and relative abundance significantly varied at the scale of subareas, while no significant variations were detected at the scale of stations and between caves. In all cases, subareas and replicates primarily contributed to the total variability (11 - 20 % and ≥80 %, respectively), highlighting small- and medium-scale heterogeneity as the most relevant sources of spatial variations of microparticle contamination. As a number of factors, from varying contamination sources to the geomorphological complexity of caves, may affect dispersal and accumulation of microparticles in environmental matrices, our findings stress the need for more structured sampling designs to quantify the intrinsic spatial variability of microparticles in order to obtain reliable estimates of contamination in cave environments.

PMID:41047064 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127208

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 3;386:127206. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127206. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Environmental contaminants such as polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs, 1-1000 nm) and glyphosate pose significant environmental and public health risks. This study aimed to investigate the intestinal toxicity and molecular mechanisms induced by PSNPs and/or glyphosate. Mice were exposed to PSNPs (<100 nm), glyphosate, or a combination of both for 35 days via intragastric administration (PSNPs: 0.5 mg/d; glyphosate: 50 mg/kg-bw/day; PSNPs + glyphosate: 0.5 mg/d +50 mg/kg-bw/day). The control group received same volume of distilled water. Our findings revealed that exposure to PSNPs and/or glyphosate aggravated pathological alterations, including inflammatory cell infiltration, severe mitochondrial cristae fracture, and an approximately 50 % reduction in goblet cells in the intestine. Moreover, exposure to PSNPs and/or glyphosate caused a critical 75 % inhibition of FOXP3 and dissociation of tight junctions in the intestine (reflected by a 50 % decrease in Occludin, and a 20 %-50 % decrease in ZO-1). These changes were accompanied by significant alterations in beneficial gut microbiota, metabolic profiles, bile acid metabolism disorders, and a pronounced elevation in 3-β-deoxycholic acid, a metabolite tied to bile acid receptor signaling and barrier dysfunction. Although exposure to glyphosate led to the most significant upregulation of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and the pro-apoptosis proteins Cleave-caspase-3, co-exposure did not exacerbate cell apoptosis in animal tissue experiments, which is contrasts with the cell-based findings. MODE-K (mouse intestinal epithelial) cells were treated with PSNPs (0.75 mg/mL) or glyphosate (0.5 mg/mL). In vitro experiments showed that PSNPs aggravated the disrupted Treg/Th17 immune-inflammatory balance, impaired intestinal barrier function (with a 50 % reduction in ZO-1 and Occludin), and increased cell apoptosis, caused by glyphosate. This study advances our understanding of the health risks posed by endocrine-disrupting chemical mixtures and provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of PSNP-glyphosate-induced intestinal toxicity. These findings lay the groundwork for future research aimed at mitigating the pathophysiological impacts of environmental pollutants.

PMID:41047062 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127206

Waste Manag. 2025 Oct 3;208:115166. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115166. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study is the first to determine the potential generation and transfer of microplastic (MP) into depacked food co-products from various food packaging using a commercial depacking system. Barium sulfate (BaSO₄, 564 ± 108 nm) was dispersed into four polymer types, including low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Polymers containing BaSO₄ were converted into food packaging matching their traditional packaging. A depacker separated packaging from food co-products. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was applied to quantify BaSO₄ as a MP indicator. Depacked foods were digested using an enzymatic approach to maintain the morphology of MPs then characterized using a 3D surface profiler. BaSO₄ concentration in recovered food from HDPE, LDPE, and PP was below method limit of detection (≤290.65 ng BaSO₄/g depacked food or ≤ 22.13 µg microplastic/g depacked food). The concentration in depacked food from PS was measured at 1278.65 ± 17.7 µg/g corresponding to low recovery of PS from the depacker. MPs were detected using 3D surface profiling in depacked food from PS after enzymatic digestion. Packaging waste mass recovery from depacking was significantly greater (p < 0.05) for film packaging materials than more rigid/brittle materials suggesting mechanical properties of packaging materials, such as rigid versus flexible containers, can influence MP generation and packaging recovery during depacking. This study also developed a novel method using barium-doped plastic to analyze the release of MPs from food co-products using ICP-OES.

PMID:41045655 | DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115166

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Oct 3;304:119103. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119103. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and frequently co-occurred with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), yet their combined toxic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the combined toxicity of both nano- and micro-sized polystyrene (PS) and two PFCs [perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)] to Brachionus calyciflorus. PFOS exerted markedly higher toxicity effects than PFBS. Both nano-sized (50 nm) and micro-sized (1 μm) PS were examined, and the results showed that particle size strongly modulated toxic outcomes, with nanoplastics producing more pronounced effects than microplastics. Co-exposure to nanoplastics significantly enhanced PFOS reproductive toxicity by promoting oxidative stress and altering reproductive modes, whereas PS combined with PFBS showed no significant synergistic toxicity. Transcriptomic and molecular docking analyses further revealed that both PFOS and PFBS targeted protein kinase C (PKC), implicating disrupted calcium signaling and mitochondrial function as key drivers of reproductive impairment. These findings reveal a novel mode of reproductive toxicity induced by PFCs in invertebrates and highlight the importance of monitoring emerging fluorinated contaminants in combination with nanoplastics.

PMID:41045738 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119103

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 3;222(Pt 2):118760. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic pollution poses serious threats in semi-enclosed marine ecosystems, yet comprehensive risk assessment frameworks are lacking for tropical seas. This study comprehensively investigated microplastic pollution dynamics and ecological risks in the central South China Sea through systematic sampling, polymer characterization, and environmental analysis. Quantitative analysis revealed significant spatial distribution differences in microplastic abundance (386-4254 items/m³, mean 1198 ± 136.51 items/m³), showing a pronounced nearshore-offshore gradient (nearshore Zone A: 1700 items/m³ vs. offshore Zone C: 740 items/m³), primarily influenced by terrestrial inputs and monsoon-driven surface currents. Particle size analysis indicated 200-500 μm fraction dominance (30 %), while polymer composition analysis identified rayon (20.8 %) and polyethylene terephthalate (15.3 %) as major types, originating from municipal sewage fiber discharge and packaging material degradation, respectively. Pollution Risk Index (PRI) assessment showed the transition zone (Zone B, mean PRI: 4007.17) as a critical risk hotspot due to localized accumulation of low-content, high-toxicity polymers, particularly polystyrene (PRI: 10614) and polyvinyl chloride (PRI: 8518). The study demonstrates that conventional abundance-based assessments underestimate ecological risks by overlooking polymer-specific toxicity. Pollution severity is determined by toxicity rather than abundance. Recommendations include prioritizing polymer-specific monitoring protocols and enhancing wastewater treatment and regulatory controls in high-risk areas.

PMID:41045787 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118760

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Oct 3;222(Pt 2):118778. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118778. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastics (MPs) pose a serious environmental hazard, contributing to pollution and potentially impacting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change trends. This study addresses this critical gap by conducting a comprehensive review of existing literature to consolidate current knowledge on the ecological and climatic challenges posed by MPs. Through this review, we find that MPs alter microbial processes, disrupt biogeochemical cycles, and promote GHG release through degradation and ecosystem interactions. The review highlights that MPs not only impact biodiversity and ecosystem health, but also exacerbate climate change by influencing carbon cycling, photosynthetic dynamics in phytoplankton, and atmospheric processes. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the mechanisms linking MPs to GHG emissions and long-term ecosystem impacts. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for systematic research, standardized methodologies, and integrated policy strategies to mitigate the dual threats of plastic pollution and climate change.

PMID:41045788 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118778

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Oct 1;304:119103. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119103. Epub 2025 Oct 3.

ABSTRACT

Nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) are widespread in aquatic ecosystems and frequently co-occurred with perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), yet their combined toxic effects remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the combined toxicity of both nano- and micro-sized polystyrene (PS) and two PFCs [perfluorooctanesulphonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)] to Brachionus calyciflorus. PFOS exerted markedly higher toxicity effects than PFBS. Both nano-sized (50 nm) and micro-sized (1 μm) PS were examined, and the results showed that particle size strongly modulated toxic outcomes, with nanoplastics producing more pronounced effects than microplastics. Co-exposure to nanoplastics significantly enhanced PFOS reproductive toxicity by promoting oxidative stress and altering reproductive modes, whereas PS combined with PFBS showed no significant synergistic toxicity. Transcriptomic and molecular docking analyses further revealed that both PFOS and PFBS targeted protein kinase C (PKC), implicating disrupted calcium signaling and mitochondrial function as key drivers of reproductive impairment. These findings reveal a novel mode of reproductive toxicity induced by PFCs in invertebrates and highlight the importance of monitoring emerging fluorinated contaminants in combination with nanoplastics.

PMID:41045738 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.119103

Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 2;386:127203. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127203. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nanoplastics (NPs), an emerging and increasingly prevalent environmental pollutant, pose a significant threat to organisms. Although recent research has begun to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ovarian toxicity induced by NPs, the involvement of cellular interactions, particularly those involving immune cells, in ovarian injury remains poorly understood. Here, we established a murine model exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics over an 8-week period to explore the role of macrophages in NPs-induced ovarian injury. Our in vivo results demonstrated that NPs accumulated in ovarian tissues, leading to ovarian endocrine disruption and follicular atresia, concomitant with macrophages infiltration and the formation of macrophage extracellular traps (METs). Complementary investigation using a co-culture system of macrophages and granulosa cells (GCs) indicated that NPs-induced METs triggered pyroptosis of GCs, and this biological crosstalk could be mitigated by DNase I. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that NPs prompted macrophages to release METs through activating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Notably, LY294002, a specific inhibitor of the PI3K-Akt pathway, significantly suppressed METs formation and consequently rescued GCs pyroptosis and ovarian injury induced by NPs. In summary, our findings uncover the mechanistic role of METs in exacerbating ovarian injury induced by NPs, and highlight the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target.

PMID:41045980 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2025.127203