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

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 4273

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Serena Ducoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
Interests: nanoplastics; microplastics; test materials; material characterization; nanometerials biological interfaces
Dr. Miguel Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: nanotoxicity; endocrine disruption; personality; biosensors; emerging contaminants
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 which are capable of discerning 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, as well as to achieve a environmental risk assessment.

The Special Issue regarding "Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation" 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 in 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 on 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. Serena Ducoli
Dr. Miguel Oliveira
Guest Editors

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind 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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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 7753 KiB  
Article
Microplastic Pollution on the Beaches of the Black Sea in Romania and Bulgaria
by Mirel Glevitzky, Gabriela-Alina Dumitrel, Gerlinde Iuliana Rusu, Daniela Toneva, Stoyan Vergiev, Mihai-Teopent Corcheş, Ana-Maria Pană and Maria Popa
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4751; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094751 - 25 Apr 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1074
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has gained attention in recent years due to its adverse impact on the environment. As a major threat to marine ecosystems and biota, the accumulation of microplastics along coastlines has become a growing concern. This study focused on quantifying and characterizing [...] Read more.
Microplastic pollution has gained attention in recent years due to its adverse impact on the environment. As a major threat to marine ecosystems and biota, the accumulation of microplastics along coastlines has become a growing concern. This study focused on quantifying and characterizing the presence, distribution, and composition of microplastics along the beaches of Romania and Bulgaria. Microplastics were extracted from beach sand samples using a saturated NaCl solution. The particles were then analyzed through FT-IR and DSC spectral analyses to identify their chemical composition. Sampling was conducted across several resorts along the Romanian and Bulgarian coastlines. The findings revealed varying concentrations of microplastics across different beaches, with Romanian beaches showing concentrations of between 40 and 213 particles per sample (470–2500 microplastics/kg), which were notably higher in areas like Mamaia and Costinești. On Bulgarian beaches, the average concentrations reached up to 137 particles per sample (1612 microplastics/kg), particularly in areas like Sunny Beach and Nessebar. Polyethylene (PE) was identified as the most prevalent polymer (55%), followed by polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyurethane (PU). These polymers were linked to common sources such as packaging, textiles, and industrial products. Microscopic examination, combined with FT-IR and DSC spectral analysis, confirmed the plastic nature of the particles, revealing distinct chemical structures characteristic of each material type. This study underscores the widespread contamination of Romanian and Bulgarian beaches with microplastics, emphasizing the environmental risks to coastal ecosystems. The presence of synthetic polymers highlights the urgent need for policies targeting plastic waste management to mitigate the growing pollution in marine environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation)
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Review

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23 pages, 1285 KiB  
Review
An Exploratory Review of Microplastic Pollution, Associated Microbiomes and Pathogens in Water
by Paulina Cholewińska, Konrad Wojnarowski, Hanna Moniuszko, Przemysław Pokorny and Dušan Palić
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8128; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158128 - 22 Jul 2025
Abstract
Microplastic particles (MPs) are an emerging global pollutant of increasing concern due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and multifaceted impact on aquatic ecosystems. This study provides a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature from 2011 to 2025, analysing the presence, distribution, and microbiological associations [...] Read more.
Microplastic particles (MPs) are an emerging global pollutant of increasing concern due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and multifaceted impact on aquatic ecosystems. This study provides a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature from 2011 to 2025, analysing the presence, distribution, and microbiological associations of MPs in surface waters across five continents. The findings confirm that MPs are present in both marine and freshwater systems, with concentrations varying by region, hydrology, and proximity to anthropogenic sources. Polyethylene and polypropylene were identified as the most common polymers, often enriched in river mouths, estuaries, and aquaculture zones. A key focus of this review is the plastisphere—microbial biofilms colonizing MPs—which includes both environmental and pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. Notably, MPs serve as vectors for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including sul1, tetA and ermF, and β-lactamase genes like blaCTX-M. This highlights their role in enhancing horizontal gene transfer and microbial dissemination. The results emphasize the need for standardized monitoring protocols and further interdisciplinary research. In light of the One Health approach, understanding the microbial dimension of MP pollution is essential for managing risks to environmental and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation)
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27 pages, 1337 KiB  
Review
Incorporating Waste Plastics into Pavement Materials: A Review of Opportunities, Risks, Environmental Implications, and Monitoring Strategies
by Ali Ghodrati, Nuha S. Mashaan and Themelina Paraskeva
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 8112; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15148112 - 21 Jul 2025
Abstract
The integration of waste plastics into pavement materials offers a dual benefit of enhancing road performance and mitigating the environmental burden of plastic waste. This review critically examines the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating waste plastics in pavement construction, with an emphasis [...] Read more.
The integration of waste plastics into pavement materials offers a dual benefit of enhancing road performance and mitigating the environmental burden of plastic waste. This review critically examines the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating waste plastics in pavement construction, with an emphasis on their impact on the mechanical properties, durability, and life cycle performance of pavements. Special attention is given to the environmental implications, particularly the potential generation and release of micro- and nano-plastics during the pavement life cycle. This paper further evaluates current monitoring and analytical methodologies for detecting plastic emissions from road surfaces and explores emerging approaches for minimizing environmental risks. By providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing knowledge, this review seeks to support sustainable practices and inform policy development within the frameworks of circular economy and environmental stewardship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation)
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25 pages, 1298 KiB  
Review
From the Environment to Molecular Interactions of Nanoplastics: Unraveling the Neurotoxic Impacts and the Implications in Neurodegenerative Processes
by Chiara Urani, Raffaella Barbieri, Susanna Alloisio and Marina Tesauro
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7280; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167280 - 19 Aug 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) represent an escalating hazard to both humans and the ecosystem due to their pervasive presence. This review delves into (i) the widespread occurrence of NPs across the different environmental matrices, including food; (ii) routes and estimates for human exposure; (iii) the [...] Read more.
Nanoplastics (NPs) represent an escalating hazard to both humans and the ecosystem due to their pervasive presence. This review delves into (i) the widespread occurrence of NPs across the different environmental matrices, including food; (ii) routes and estimates for human exposure; (iii) the mechanisms of blood–brain barrier (BBB) crossing; and (iv) implications for human health, with a specific focus on molecular features associated with neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative processes. The impact of NPs on the central nervous system, their ability to cross the BBB and the underpinning mechanisms, the potential to initiate neurotoxicity by fostering β-amyloid aggregation, and their interactions with metallo-enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase) are elucidated. The analysis of transcriptomics and epigenomic results, including microRNA dysregulation, unveil how NPs could contribute to neurological disorders. The need for considering overlaps among diverse pathogenetic mechanisms when probing the effects of NPs is discussed. Additional urgent needs are the development of reliable in vitro models for neurotoxicity studies able to mimic the complexity of the nervous system and the exposure of such models to more environmentally relevant NPs. Finally, the development of extremely sensitive detection and analysis methodologies to quantify NPs in environmental and biological matrices is a pressing priority. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano/Micro Plastic and Emerging Plastic in the Environment: Monitoring, Analysis, and Remediation)
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