Microplastics

Airborne microplastics (MPs) are a global issue, and there is an urgent need to prevent their spread in the environment. Sensitive and reliable methods are also needed to assess their deposition and effectively evaluate risk in terrestrial ecosystems. Current automated monitoring devices are expensive and do not enable large-scale mapping of MP deposition. As with other persistent atmospheric contaminants, developing accurate, cost-effective and easily applicable biomonitoring methods would therefore be highly beneficial. Cryptogams are among the most suitable biomonitors of airborne contaminants, and preliminary surveys show that epiphytic lichens accumulate higher concentrations of MPs in urban areas and near landfills than in control sites. However, the interaction between lichen thalli and MPs is weak and, as discussed in this review, the anthropogenic fibres and plastic fragments intercepted and retained by lichens probably do not reflect the levels in bulk atmospheric deposition. While emphasizing the need for studies evaluating the effectiveness of cryptogams in accumulating different types of airborne MPs under various meteorological conditions, this review also suggests directing future research efforts toward mosses, which seem to accumulate much higher concentrations of MPs than lichens in both active and passive biomonitoring surveys. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are synthetic environmental pollutants increasingly linked to adverse human health effects. To study their biological impact, researchers require access to environmentally relevant MPs that can be accurately tracked in biological systems. However, most ambient MPs are composed of non-conjugated polymers that lack intrinsic fluorescence, limiting their utility in live-cell or in vivo imaging. Addressing this challenge, we present two alternative labeling approaches that enable visualization, tracking, and quantification of MPs. First, we stained nylon and polypropylene MPs with Rhodamine 6G, a fluorescent dye known for its stability and compatibility with in vivo applications. These labeled MPs retained strong fluorescence in murine lung tissue for up to one week, as confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. Second, we conjugated aminated polystyrene microspheres with IRDye-800CW, a near-infrared fluorophore that enables high-resolution imaging with minimal tissue autofluorescence via an In Vivo Imaging System and confocal microscopy. In vivo experiments revealed organ-specific accumulation of IRDye-labeled MPs, with a 2.8-fold increase in the liver and a 5-fold increase in spleen compared to controls, detectable up to 72 h post-injection. These labeling strategies provide researchers with practical tools to visualize and study the biodistribution of MPs in biological systems, advancing efforts to understand their health implications. Full article

Plastic pollution is a major environmental concern. In humans, ingestion through contaminated seafood is a recognized exposure route to microplastics, which may impact gut health. However, the extent to which microplastics interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption remains unclear. To this end, the present work aimed to assess, for the first time, the influence of microplastic particles (polyethylene terephthalate, PET, and polylactic acid, PLA) on the digestibility of three selected seafood species (gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata; Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar; and hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria) using an in vitro human digestion model. Furthermore, this study evaluated the potential degradability of microplastics along the gastrointestinal tract and examined how particle type and exposure level (10 or 20 particles) may influence seafood digestibility. Protein digestibility in S. aurata and S. salar filets was ~86%, while in M. mercenaria it was ~73%, regardless of microplastic presence or quantity. PET and PLA integrity was affected differently by digestion, with PLA showing greater surface degradation. These findings provide preliminary insight into the mutual interactions between microplastics and the human digestive process, highlighting the importance for further research into how the leaching of plastics additives may or may not influence the bioaccessibility of essential nutrients. Full article

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern globally, especially in marine ecosystems. In this study, the evaluation of the potential ingestion of plastic, mostly in the form of microplastics (MPs), by fledglings of Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) from the Canary Islands (Spain) was conducted. The total number of plastics found in the stomach samples was 674, primarily comprising large MPs (1–5 mm: 82%), followed by mesoplastics (>5–25 mm: 18%). The predominant morphology was threadlike (31.6%), followed by hard, irregularly shaped fragments (28.3%), microspheres (22.4%), and sheets (15.7%). Loads were found to overlap with those described for the same species in highly populated areas such as the Mediterranean Sea. Plastic counts above Cory’s threshold value may suggest poor environmental status for the Canary Current region. FTIR-ATR analysis evidenced the predominance of polyethylene (PE) (46.7%), polypropylene (PP) (24.6%) and polyamide (PA) (20.4%). This is likely linked not only to the fact that PE is the most produced plastic worldwide, but also the fact that, along with PP, it makes up the highest amount of single-use plastic products. Overall, findings provide a contamination-controlled, FTIR-verified baseline for fledglings from Tenerife; however, given the limited, single-season sample (n = 33) and opportunistic design, results are descriptive and not intended for population-level inference. Yet, the potential of Cory’s shearwater as a sentinel species to monitor plastic pollution is highlighted, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies to address plastic pollution in marine environments. Full article

Microplastic particles with a size of less than 5 mm make up a significant component of the plastic pollution in freshwater and the ocean. This study was designed to investigate the effects of eight-week exposure to high-molecular-weight polyvinyl chloride (HMW-PVC) on young rats. A total of 40 rats were divided into two assay groups of 15 rats (Group 1, Group 2, a total of 30 rats) and a control group of 10 rats. The rats in the first and second assay groups were fed with food containing HMW-PVC at rates of 1 and 2% of their weight, respectively. The control group was fed food without HMW-PVC. The rats’ weights were recorded every 15 days. After eight weeks of feeding, the rats’ intestines, kidneys, and livers were removed and underwent histopathological examinations. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of Cyp3A2, Pepck, and Fasn genes in the liver, UT-A1, UT-A2, renin, and Cyp27B1 genes in the kidney, and Muc2, Fabp2, and PepT1 genes in the intestine were determined by using the RT-PCR technique. Our study revealed that rats exposed to microplastic particles exhibited non-significant weight loss and obvious organ degeneration. Furthermore, mRNA expression levels of the examined genes were either elevated or suppressed by regular exposure to high-molecular-weight PVC. Full article

Microplastic (MP) analysis via microspectroscopy typically examines only 1–10% of filter substrates due to time constraints, requiring reliable extrapolation methods for quantitative environmental monitoring. Current subsampling strategies suffer from heterogeneous particle dispersion, leading to 50–80% error in MP quantification. Additionally, MP researchers require enhanced environmental MP mass datasets, necessitating reliable conversion algorithms from two-dimensional morphological data to mass estimates. This study introduces an area-based extrapolation technique for organic rich samples that compares the MP-to-generic particle area ratio within a rectangular field of view against total particle area on the entire filter membrane, combined with a simplified fragment morphology-to-mass conversion model (SFMM). First, two Sphagnum moss samples were analyzed using Raman microspectroscopy and critical angle darkfield illumination microscopy. The results demonstrated stable MP concentrations (17% RSD [n = 8]) despite heterogeneous generic particle distribution (31% RSD [n = 8]), with mean particle-area coverage of 2.4% per subsample. Then, twenty EasyMP^TM fragment reference materials (10 µm to 1500 µm), of known composite mass, were used to calibrate two different volume (V) expressions, one based on analyzed particle area (A) and minimum Feret diameter (F_Min, i.e., width), yielding V = 0.34 × F_Min × A. A second more approximate expression based on only the maximum Feret diameter (F_Max, i.e., length) yielded V = 0.097 × (F_Max)³. These methods enable MP quantification and mass estimation from limited spectroscopic analysis. Full article

Background: Human bioaccumulation of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is increasingly being recognised in the aetiology and pathophysiology of human disease. This systematic scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive investigation of studies examining the presence and effects of MNPs on the human pulmonary system. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in line with JBI guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE) were systematically searched. Results: Sixty-eight articles were identified, with fifteen reporting the presence of MNPs in human respiratory tissues and fluids. The data reported in the remaining toxicology-focused studies suggest that MNPs induce widespread cellular dysfunction in pulmonary-related human cell lines. Exposure to MNPs was associated with significant cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and altered metabolic activity, including mitochondrial damage, increased reactive oxygen species and reduced membrane potential. Functionalised and smaller particles had more pronounced effects. Conclusions: The reported presence of MNPs, coupled with their biological toxicity, represents a growing global health concern. Evidence suggests MNPs may contribute to the rising burden of pulmonary disease worldwide, including cancer, COPD, interstitial lung disease and ARDS. Urgent international research is needed to characterise exposure pathways, develop standardised detection methods and understand the long-term health implications of MNP inhalation across the lifespan. Full article

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are globally ubiquitous environmental pollutants that have become a growing concern for human health, but their potential role in human carcinogenesis remains to be determined. Over the past few years, MNPs have been identified as potential carcinogenic and mutagenic agents in various human samples as they induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and immune dysregulation, which can alter the tumor microenvironment, thereby promoting cancer development and metastasis. Researchers are actively investigating the health risks posed by MNP particles in order to establish clearer links between MNP exposure and the onset of various human cancers. Although recent research suggests a potential tumorigenic connection between MNPs and some cancer types like skin, lung, breast and gastrointestinal cancers, further studies are required to clarify their long-term effects and specific mechanisms. In our review, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the carcinogenic impacts of MNPs and the underlying molecular mechanisms through which MNP exposure may contribute to human cancer progression. Additionally, we highlight existing knowledge gaps and provide important recommendations for future research on the carcinogenic potential of MNPs. Full article

Microplastic pollution in marine environments represents a significant ecological threat due to its persistence and harmful effects on biodiversity and human health. In Colombia, coastal ecosystems (particularly in La Guajira) have exhibited increasing microplastic concentrations, but systematic monitoring remains limited. This study explored the application of remote sensing, including multispectral satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) and machine learning algorithms, to detect and monitor microplastics in the coastal zone of Riohacha, La Guajira. To inform the model selection and ensure methodological relevance, a focused systematic literature review was conducted, serving as a foundational step in identifying effective remote sensing strategies and machine learning algorithms previously applied to microplastic detection in aquatic environments. Moreover, microplastic samples were collected from four coastal sites on Riohacha’s coast and analyzed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while environmental parameters were recorded in situ. The remote sensing data were processed and integrated with field observations to train linear regression, random forest, and artificial neural network (ANN) models. The ANN model achieved the highest accuracy (MAE = 0.040; RMSE = 0.071), outperforming the other models in estimating the microplastic concentrations. Based on these results, environmental risk maps were generated, identifying critical zones of pollution. The findings support the integration of remote sensing tools and field data for scalable, cost-efficient microplastic monitoring, offering a methodological framework for marine pollution assessment in Colombia and other developing coastal regions. Full article

Microplastics, pervasive environmental pollutants with significant health risks, present formidable challenges in wastewater treatment due to their persistence and resistance to conventional removal methods. This study investigates the efficacy of hybrid ceramic membrane filtration for the systematic removal of micro- and nanoplastics from wastewater, while evaluating the role of anaerobic digestion as a pretreatment to enhance membrane performance. This study systematically assesses the performance of the 1.4 μm pore-sized flat sheet ceramic membrane and the 1 kDa pore-sized tubular ceramic membrane, respectively, for microplastic and nanoplastic removal in wastewater. Also, the effect of anaerobic digestion was assessed in microplastic separation and quantification. Anaerobic digestion reduced suspended solids by 57–67%. The average microplastic concentration was ~1782 MP L⁻¹. However, anaerobic digestion reduced the average concentration to ~913 MP L⁻¹. The opposite trend was observed in nanoplastic concentrations, which were ~4268 and ~10,066 NP L⁻¹, respectively, for the samples without and with anaerobic digestion. The ceramic membrane flux decreased from ~106.5 to ~25 L m⁻² h⁻¹ at a flow rate of 0.4 L min⁻¹ during the collection of 2 L of filtrate. However, anaerobic digestion improved the flux approximately 3 times. The tubular ceramic membrane flux was ~6.1 L m⁻² h⁻¹ at a flow rate of 2.0 L min⁻¹, which was reduced by 50% after the ceramic membrane treatment. By overcoming the limitations of conventional microplastic removal methods, such as the inefficiency of residual chemicals or byproducts, hybrid ceramic membrane filtration is a viable option for a scalable, efficient, and sustainable method in controlling microplastic and nanoplastic pollution. Full article

Microplastics (particles ≤ 5 mm) are ubiquitous and persistent, posing threats to ecosystems and human health. Thus, the development of technologies for evaluating their dynamics is crucial. Settling velocity is a critical parameter for predicting the fate of microplastics in aquatic environments. Current methods for computing this metric are highly subjective and lack a standard. The goal of this research is to develop an objective, automated technique employing the technological advances in computer vision. In the laboratory, a camera recorded the trajectories of microplastics as they sank through a water column. The settling velocity of each microplastic was calculated using a YOLOv12n-based object detection model. The system was tested with three classes of spherical microplastics and three types of water. Ground truth settling times, recorded manually with a stopwatch, allowed for quantification of the system’s accuracy. When comparing the velocities calculated using the computer vision system to the stopwatch ground truth, the average error across all water types was 5.97% for the 3 mm microplastics, 7.14% for the 4 mm microplastics, and 6.15% for the 5 mm microplastics. This new method will enable the research community to predict microplastic distribution and transport patterns, as well as implement more timely strategies for mitigating pollution. Full article

This study investigated how metal concentrations and microplastic abundance co-vary temporally and spatially in sediments in Durban Harbour, South Africa. The effects of sediment contamination on the amphipod Grandidierella lignorum was additionally investigated. Sediments from five sites in the harbour, namely Little Lagoon (LL), Yacht Bank (YB), Marina Bank (MB), Western Bank (WB), and Central Bank (CB), were analysed for metals using ICP-OES, and microplastic particles were counted. Sediment metal concentrations varied across sites and seasons, with Al and Fe dominating. Elevated levels of Cu, Zn, and Pb were observed, particularly in areas with high industrial activity, suggesting point-source contamination. Trace concentrations of As, Cd, and Ni were found and these metals were excluded from further analysis. Abundance ranged from 0.2 to 2.5 particles per gram dry weight, and differed significantly among sites (p < 0.01) with the highest concentrations in LL and YB. Amphipod survival rates following exposure to sediment did not significantly differ among sites but correlated moderately with microplastic abundance (p > 0.05, R² = 0.57). Tissue analysis revealed selective metal accumulation, following the trend Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr, with Mn, As, and Pb undetected. These results highlight the spatial heterogeneity of sediment contamination in Durban Harbour and demonstrate the bioaccumulation potential and ability to regulate metals in G. lignorum, particularly for essential metals like Fe and Zn. Despite no clear evidence linking microplastics to metal concentrations, the findings highlight the complex interactions between contaminants and their potential ecological impact. Full article

Microplastic (MP) pollution in urban areas is a growing global concern due to its health risks and environmental effects. This study investigates the sources, spatial distribution, and health risks of MPs in road dust across industrial, capital city, and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh. Street dust samples were collected from 15 heavily congested traffic sites across Dhaka and its surrounding areas. The samples were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify MP types and their morphological characteristics. We have identified six types of polymers, including Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), with industrial areas exhibiting the highest levels of MPs followed by capital city and peri-urban zones. PP was the most prevalent MP polymer, with the highest level in industrial areas (14.1 ± 1.7 MPs/g), followed by capital city (9.6 ± 1.92 MPs/g) and peri-urban areas (7.2 ± 1.56 MPs/g). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified traffic emissions, industrial activities, and mismanaged plastic waste as the primary sources of MPs. Health risk evaluations indicated that children are more susceptible to MP exposure through ingestion and inhalation, with industrial areas posing the highest carcinogenic risk. The findings underscore the pressing demand for better waste management systems and stricter regulatory measures to mitigate MP pollution and safeguard public health in urban environments. Addressing these challenges is essential to reduce the growing threat of MPs and their long-term effects on ecosystems and human well-being. Full article

The concentration of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is one of the most important characteristics of the metabolic state of the cells of microorganisms and their viability. This indicator, monitored by bioluminescent ATP-metry, and accumulation of the suspension biomass in the medium were used to assess the effect of particles of different synthetic microplastics (MPs) (non-biodegradable and biodegradable) on the cells of yeast, filamentous fungi, bacteria and phototrophic microorganisms (microalgae and cyanobacteria) co-exposed with polymer samples in different environments and concentrations. It was found that the effect of MPs on microorganisms depends on the concentration of MPs (1–5 g/L), as well as on the initial concentration of cells (10⁴ or 10⁷ cells/mL) in the exposure medium with polymers. It was shown that the lack of a sufficient number of nutrition sources in the medium with MPs is not fatal for the cells. The study of the effect of MPs on the photobacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum, widely used as a bioindicator for assessing the ecotoxicity of various environments, demonstrated a correlation between the residual bioluminescence of these cells and the level of their intracellular ATP in media with biodegradable polycaprolactone and polylactide, which had an inhibitory effect on these cells. Marine representatives of phototrophic microorganisms showed the greatest sensitivity to the presence of MPs, which was confirmed by both a decrease in the level of intracellular ATP and the concentration of their biomass. Among the eight microorganisms studied, bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas turned out to be not only the most tolerant to the presence of the seven MP samples used in the work, but also actively growing in their presence. Full article

The main aim of this work is to define the limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for polyethylene (PE) particles using a pyrolysis and oxidation-based method, the thermal Rock-Eval^® device, combined with a mathematical extrapolation procedure. The influences of particle size and shape on the thermal degradation of PE polymers are also investigated in this study. Thermal Total HC and Tpeak parameters, recently used to characterize polymer samples, are evaluated as a function of both polymer grain size and shape. Results indicate a LOD for the investigated PE polymers of around 1.7–2 μg in 60 mg of composite sediment (28–33 ppm). A conservative LOQ for the PE samples ranges between 5 and 6 μg (83–100 ppm). The LOQ is on the same order of magnitude for any size or shape of the studied PE polymers. By contrast, the LOD for the PE samples is slightly affected by both the polymer grain size and shape. Results also demonstrate that it is possible to detect PE nanoparticles of 79 nm in size. Finally, this study provides specific Rock-Eval^® parameters, linear regressions, and a mathematical extrapolation procedure that can be used to better quantify very small PE mass contents, including nanoplastics in environmental samples. Full article

Plastic remains a cheap material for numerous uses in households, industries, and engineering; however, it disintegrates in aquatic ecosystems to form smaller particles termed microplastics. Microplastics (MPs) have become a cause for concern due to their persistence and potential effects on freshwater ecosystems. Moreover, the toxicity of microplastics can be achieved through different mechanisms, including physical blockage and additive leaching, or they can function as vectors for other chemical pollutants. Microplastics were found to provide a growing surface for microbial communities, forming a biofilm termed the plastisphere. Microplastic pollution seems to need urgent attention globally; however, the comparability of results becomes a challenge due to the different techniques employed by different researchers. Moreover, the complete removal of MPs has proven to be an impossible task. This review explored MP occurrence in freshwater ecosystems, the role of microbial communities in the dynamics of microplastics, removal techniques, strategies for reduction in the environment, and their effect on freshwater ecosystems. Moreover, techniques to reduce microplastic release, such as recycling, plastic–fuel conversion, and biodegradable plastics, are explored. The review provides recommendations for reducing microplastic release and removal in freshwater ecosystems. This review stresses existing gaps to explore going forward in addressing microplastic pollution and possible removal techniques. Full article

Microplastics pose a growing environmental concern, necessitating accurate and scalable methods for their detection and classification. This study presents a novel deep learning framework that integrates a transformer-based architecture with domain adaptation techniques to classify microplastics using reflectance micro-FTIR spectroscopy. A key challenge addressed in this work is the domain shift between laboratory-prepared reference spectra and environmentally sourced spectra, which can significantly degrade model performance. To overcome this, three domain-adaptation strategies—Domain Adversarial Neural Networks (DANN), Deep Subdomain-Adaptation Networks (DSAN), and Deep CORAL—were evaluated for their ability to enhance cross-domain generalization. Experimental results show that while DANN was unstable, DSAN and Deep CORAL improved target domain accuracy. Deep CORAL achieved 99% accuracy on the source and 94% on the target, offering balanced performance. DSAN reached 95% on the target but reduced source accuracy. Overall, statistical alignment methods outperformed adversarial approaches in transformer-based spectral adaptation. The proposed model was integrated into a reflectance micro-FTIR workflow, accurately identifying PE and PP microplastics from unlabelled spectra. Predictions closely matched expert-validated results, demonstrating practical applicability. This first use of a domain-adaptive transformer in microplastics spectroscopy sets a benchmark for high-throughput, cross-domain analysis. Future work will extend to more polymers and enhance model efficiency for field use. Full article

Microplastic (MPL) and nanoplastic (NPL) contamination in soils is widespread, impacting soil invertebrates, microbial communities, and soil–plant systems. Here, we compiled the information from 100 research articles from 2018 onwards to enhance and synthesize the status quo of MPLs’ and NPLs’ impacts on such groups. The effects of these pollutants depend on multiple factors, including polymer composition, size, shape, concentration, and aging processes. Research on soil invertebrates has focused on earthworms and some studies on nematodes and collembolans, but studies are still limited to other groups, such as mites, millipedes, and insect larvae. Beyond soil invertebrates, plastics are also altering microbial communities at the soil–plastic interface, fostering the development of specialized microbial assemblages and shifting microbial functions in ways that remain poorly understood. Research has largely centered on bacterial interactions with MPLs, leaving understudied fungi, protists, and other soil microorganisms. Furthermore, MPLs and NPLs also interact with terrestrial plants, and their harmful effects, such as adsorption, uptake, translocation, and pathogen vectors, raise public awareness. Given the complexity of these interactions, well-replicated experiments and community- and ecosystem-level studies employing objective-driven technologies can provide insights into how MPLs and NPLs influence microbial and faunal diversity, functional traits, and soil ecosystem stability. Full article

Microplastic pollution is pervasive in marine ecosystems and poses a growing threat to marine organisms and human health. This study simultaneously investigates microplastic ingestion and phthalate exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris, a commercially valuable and ecologically relevant Mediterranean crustacean occupying an intermediate trophic position. Specimens were collected from three coastal areas in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean): near the Tiber River mouth, one of the most polluted rivers in Italy, and two additional sites to the north and south. The frequency of individuals with ingested microplastics varied among locations: 78% near the Tiber River, 64% at site S, and 38% at site N, reflecting anthropogenic pressure gradients. Analyses confirmed the lower occurrence at site N, indicating higher ingestion near land-based pollution sources. Ingested microplastic polymer types varied among sites, reflecting location-specific contamination. Phthalates were present in shrimp muscle at all sites (5–1122 ng/g w.w.) with the highest average concentration (68.26 ± 55.74 ng/g) at the site with the highest microplastic ingestion. Although no statistical correlation was found, the similar spatial distribution of microplastics and phthalates suggests a potential link influenced by local pollution and individual variability. These findings provide novel evidence of microplastic and phthalate contamination in P. longirostris, highlighting its role as a trophic connector mediating contaminant transfer through the food web. While current levels suggest no potential risk to human health, continued monitoring and further studies on exposure along trophic pathways are recommended. Full article