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Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2026 | Viewed by 1544

Editor

Dr. Marcelino Miguel Guedes de Jesus Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: nanoparticles synthesis and behavior; microplastics; nanotoxicology; biosensors; emerging contaminants; in vitro systems; alternative methods in biological research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ubiquitous presence of plastic pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental challenge, with nanoplastics, microplastics, and emerging plastics garnering particular attention due to their pervasive distribution and potential ecological and health impacts.

Detecting, analyzing, and quantifying microplastics and, particularly, nanoplastics presents analytical challenges due to their diminutive dimensions, diverse chemical compositions, and propensity to undergo physical and chemical transformations in environmental matrices. Conventional analytical techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), encounter limitations when accurately detecting and quantifying nanoplastics amidst the background of natural particulate matter and organic compounds. Moreover, the dynamic nature of nanoplastic interactions with environmental components necessitates the development of novel analytical strategies that are capable of elucidating their fate, transport mechanisms, and bioavailability across diverse ecosystems. Challenges persist in elucidating the pathways through which nanoplastics infiltrate food webs, accumulate in biota, and potentially propagate adverse effects through trophic levels. Furthermore, the lack of standardized protocols and reference materials hampers the comparability and reliability of nano/microplastic data obtained from different studies, thus impeding progress towards a comprehensive understanding of their ecological implications. Effective monitoring and remediation strategies are imperative to mitigate the proliferation of nano/microplastics and emerging plastic contaminants in the environment, and to support accurate environmental risk assessment.

The Special Issue aims to address these multifaceted dimensions of nano/microplastics pollution, while exploring innovative approaches for their detection, characterization, and mitigation.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Characterization and detection methods: advancements in analytical techniques for the identification, quantification, and characterization of nano/micro plastics and emerging plastic variants in environmental matrices.
  • Environmental fate and transport: investigations into the fate, transport mechanisms, and spatial distribution patterns of nano/micro plastics and emerging plastic contaminants across diverse environmental compartments.
  • Nanoplastic behavior and fate: investigations into the physicochemical transformations, transport dynamics, and environmental persistence of nanoplastics, elucidating their interactions with abiotic and biotic components within ecosystems.
  • Ecological impacts and risks: assessments of the ecological impacts and potential risks associated with the accumulation of nano/micro plastics and emerging plastic pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as their repercussions on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
  • Standardization and quality assurance: initiatives aimed at standardizing analytical protocols, reference materials, and quality assurance measures to enhance the reliability, reproducibility, and comparability of nanoplastic data across research endeavors.
  • Monitoring strategies and remediation technologies: development and implementation of monitoring protocols and remediation strategies aimed at mitigating plastic pollution, safeguarding environmental integrity, and promoting sustainable resource management practices.

Original work highlighting the latest research and technical development is encouraged, but review papers and comparative studies are also welcome.

Dr. Marcelino Miguel Guedes de Jesus Oliveira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanoplastics
  • microplastics
  • emerging plastics
  • analytical challenge
  • risk assessment
  • monitoring
  • standardization
  • ecological impact

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1325 KB  
Article
Time-Dependent Bioaccumulation and Demographic Determinants of Micronanoplastic Concentration in Human Plasma
by Rafael de Cid, Natalia Blay, Marc Sorigue, Michael D. Ward and Jordi Petriz
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(15), 7638; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16157638 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 181
Abstract
The pervasive nature of plastic pollution has raised significant concerns regarding human exposure and internal body burden. Micronanoplastics (MNPs) are known to translocate across biological membranes and accumulate in various tissues, with plasma serving as a critical transport and surveillance compartment. This study [...] Read more.
The pervasive nature of plastic pollution has raised significant concerns regarding human exposure and internal body burden. Micronanoplastics (MNPs) are known to translocate across biological membranes and accumulate in various tissues, with plasma serving as a critical transport and surveillance compartment. This study longitudinally assessed changes in plasma MNP concentrations from 2014 to 2023 and evaluated the influence of sex and Body Mass Index (BMI) on accumulation levels. The longitudinal analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in median plasma MNP accumulation between the Baseline period (2014–2018) and the post-lockdown period (2023) (Wilcoxon p = 0.0145), indicating a growing internal body burden. Coinciding with COVID-19, this escalation suggests that the surge in plastic PPE and single-use plastics may have accelerated human exposure, though causality is unproven. A highly significant difference was observed based on sex, with males exhibiting a greater median accumulation (2.09 × 106 NP/µL) compared to females (1.58 × 106 NP/µL) (p = 0.0068). Furthermore, the highest BMI quartile (Q4) showed significantly higher median accumulation (2.01 × 106 NP/µL) compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) (1.53 × 106 NP/µL) (p = 0.0173), supporting the hypothesis that lipophilic plastic particles may be sequestered in adipose tissue reservoirs. Despite an upward overall trend, low individual correlation (rs = 0.189) suggests diverse personal behaviors drove individual trajectories, leaving the precise impact of pandemic habits unclear. These findings underscore the urgent need to understand the long-term health consequences of continuous and accelerating microplastic bioaccumulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation, 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 5652 KB  
Article
Adapting Sampling Methods to River Characteristics: A Comparative Study of Microplastic Collection in Low-Flow Rivers
by Widyastuti Kusuma Wardhani, Kuriko Yokota, Hardianti Alimuddin, Takanobu Inoue and Nguyen Minh Ngoc
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(13), 6684; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16136684 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 404
Abstract
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are significant pollutants of growing global concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and potential ecological and human health risk. Numerous studies have proposed different methods for sampling microplastics in river sediments and water. However, comparative [...] Read more.
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, are significant pollutants of growing global concern due to their persistence, widespread distribution, and potential ecological and human health risk. Numerous studies have proposed different methods for sampling microplastics in river sediments and water. However, comparative studies evaluating how different sampling methods affect the quantification of microplastic abundance in surface water remain limited. This study focused specifically on surface water, as it represents the primary pathway of microplastic transport, and the yield is most directly influenced by sampling method selection. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the abundance and characteristics of microplastics collected using three sampling methods: plankton nets, buckets, and pumps, which were selected to represent the full spectrum of commonly used riverine surface water collection approaches. Each method collected an equivalent volume of water, 1000 L. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences among the methods in terms of microplastic abundance and characteristics. These results suggest that the selection of a sampling method should be primarily based on river characteristics such as flow velocity, depth, and channel width rather than methodological differences. The findings provide practical guidance for selecting appropriate sampling approaches in low-flow river environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation, 2nd Edition)
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25 pages, 5648 KB  
Article
PBAT Microplastics Modulate Oxidative Stress and Plant–Fungus Interactions in Wheat Under Metolachlor Exposure
by Olga Rusiecka and Przemysław Bernat
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(13), 6569; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16136569 - 1 Jul 2026
Viewed by 232
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides increasingly co-occur in agricultural ecosystems, where they may jointly affect plant physiology and plant–microorganism interactions. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), the herbicide metolachlor (MET), and the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum KKP [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides increasingly co-occur in agricultural ecosystems, where they may jointly affect plant physiology and plant–microorganism interactions. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), the herbicide metolachlor (MET), and the beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum KKP 534 on wheat (Triticum aestivum). Plant growth, physiological responses, chlorophyll content, cell membrane damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and selected metabolomic and lipidomic biomarkers were evaluated. High PBAT concentrations negatively affected wheat growth by reducing root and shoot length and increasing oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated TBARS levels, increased antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, GST, CAT, and SOD), and enhanced membrane damage. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses further revealed stress-associated changes in amino acid metabolism and membrane lipid remodelling. PBAT also adsorbed MET and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP), potentially altering their bioavailability and environmental behaviour. Although T. harzianum KKP 534 promoted plant growth and enhanced antioxidant responses under control conditions, these beneficial effects were attenuated in the presence of PBAT MP. The results suggest that biodegradable microplastics may influence plant–microbe interactions and modify pesticide dynamics under controlled conditions, highlighting the need for further studies in soil-based systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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28 pages, 4033 KB  
Review
Soil Microplastic Pollution Across Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Review of Sources, Distribution Patterns, Polymer Types and Environmental Implications
by Eirini Tzitzira, Traianos Minos and Evangelia E. Golia
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(13), 6718; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16136718 - 5 Jul 2026
Viewed by 402
Abstract
The present study investigates the presence, sources, and impacts of microplastics (MPs) in different soil types, including agricultural, urban, and forest areas, through a synthesis of results of published scientific papers. MPs originate from a variety of human activities, such as the widespread [...] Read more.
The present study investigates the presence, sources, and impacts of microplastics (MPs) in different soil types, including agricultural, urban, and forest areas, through a synthesis of results of published scientific papers. MPs originate from a variety of human activities, such as the widespread use of plastic mulch in agriculture and the application of organic fertilizers and treated sewage sludge, as well as from vehicle tire wear, industrial processes, and the gradual degradation of plastic products in the environment. In urban soils, the main sources of MPs are related to road traffic, industrial activity, and landfills, while in forest soils, concentrations are generally lower. However, MPs in forest areas are thought to be carried there by the air, by runoff, or from nearby areas with human activity. Available data show that larger MP particles tend to remain in the surface layers of the soil, while smaller particles can penetrate deeper soil layers, increasing their bioavailability and the likelihood of interaction with microorganisms and plant root systems. In terms of their chemical composition, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymers dominate in agricultural soils, which is directly linked to agricultural practices, while polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are more frequently detected in urban soils. The morphological types of MPs include fragments, fibers, and films, while their color characteristics provide clues to possible sources of origin, such as plastic ground covers, tire wear, and packaging materials. Overall, the study’s results underscore the growing environmental significance of MP soil pollution and highlight the need for more effective management and recycling of plastic materials, as well as for further interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of transport, accumulation, and long-term ecological effects of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation, 2nd Edition)
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