Algae polysaccharide-induced transport transformation of nanoplastics in seawater-saturated porous media.

This study examined the distinct effects of algae polysaccharides (AP), namely sodium alginate (SA), fucoidan (FU), and laminarin (LA), on the aggregation of nanoplastics (NP) in seawater, as well as their subsequent transport in seawater-saturated sea sand. The pristine 50 nm NP tended to form large aggregates, with an average size of approximately 934.5 ± 11 nm.

Soil-dwelling grub larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis biodegrade polystyrene: Responses of gut microbiome and host metabolism.

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to terrestrial ecosystems, yet the potential for soil fauna to contribute to plastic biodegradation remains largely unexplored. In this study, we reveal that soil-dwelling grubs, Protaetia brevitarsis larvae, can effectively biodegrade polystyrene (PS) plastics. Over a period of 4 weeks, these grubs achieved a remarkable 61.

Removal of microplastics from water by coagulation of cationic-modified starch: An environmentally friendly solution.

Microplastics (MPs) pose a potential risk to aquatic ecosystems, and there is a growing demand to alleviate the contamination of MPs. Here, we introduce cationic-modified starch (CS) as an eco-friendly bio-coagulant for removing MPs from water. CS with varying degrees of substitution was synthesized and characterized, and its performance in removing MPs was evaluated under different MP sizes, types, and aging, as well as various water conditions.

DNA origami-mediated plasmonic dimer nanoantenna-based SERS biosensor for ultrasensitive determination of trace diethylstilbestrol.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a threatening factor to the human endocrine system. Here, we reported a DNA origami-assembled plasmonic dimer nanoantenna-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor for measuring trace DES in foods. A critical factor influencing the SERS effect is interparticle gap modulation of SERS hotspots with nanometer-scale accuracy.

Polystyrene nanospheres-induced hepatotoxicity in swamp eel (Monopterus albus): From biochemical, pathological and transcriptomic perspectives.

As ubiquitous emerging pollutants, microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments have aroused critical global concerns. Despite the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in freshwater agroecosystems well-described by our previous study, their ecotoxicological implications in Monopterus albus remains unfathomed. Herein, we dissected toxic effects and mechanisms of PS-NPs exposure against M.

Microfiber-loaded bacterial community in indoor fallout and air-conditioner filter dust.

Microfibers (MFs) are widely existed in indoor air; however, characteristic of microbiota on MFs is largely unknown. In this study, air-borne MFs were collected from fallout or air-conditioner (AC) filter dust in three types of indoor space including living room, dormitory and office. Both plastic and natural MFs were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Nanoplastics induce molecular toxicity in earthworm: Integrated multi-omics, morphological, and intestinal microorganism analyses.

The toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) at relatively low concentrations to soil fauna at different organismal levels is poorly understood. We investigated the responses of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) to polystyrene NPs (90-110 nm) contaminated soil at a relatively low concentration (0.02 % w:w) based on multi-omics, morphological, and intestinal microorganism analyses.

Prominent toxicity of isocyanates and maleic anhydrides to Caenorhabditis elegans: Multilevel assay for typical organic additives of biodegradable plastics.

Biodegradable plastics (BDP) are increasingly applied; however, there has been of concerns about their environmental safety, especially from nondegradable additive compositions. Until now, data of ecotoxicity of BDP additives is scarce. Here, nematode C.

Degradation of polylactic acid/polybutylene adipate films in different ratios and the response of bacterial community in soil environments.

Biodegradable plastic mulch film (BDM) is an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional polyethylene mulch, and has been growingly used in agriculture. However, practical degradation performance of BDM, especially the widely used type of blended polylactic acid (PLA)/polybutylene adipate (PBAT) in different ratios, and microbial alteration in soil environments, remain largely unrevealed. In this study, four types of BDM blended with 40-80% PLA and 20-60% PBAT were comparatively investigated through microcosm soil incubation experiments for 105 days, and combined with conditions of different soil moisture or pH.

Magnetic Halloysite Nanotube-Based SERS Biosensor Enhanced with Au@Ag Core-Shell Nanotags for Bisphenol A Determination.

Bisphenol A (BPA) has emerged as a contaminant of concern because long-term exposure may affect the human endocrine system. Herein, a novel aptamer sensor based on magnetic separation and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is proposed for the extremely sensitive and specific detection of trace BPA. Moreover, the capture unit was prepared by immobilizing thiolated (SH)-BPA aptamer complementary DNA on AuNP-coated magnetic halloysite nanotubes (MNTs@AuNPs), and SH-BPA aptamer-modified Au@4-MBA@Ag core-shell SERS nanotags acted as signal units.

A battery of baseline toxicity bioassays directed evaluation of plastic leachates-Towards the establishment of bioanalytical monitoring tools for plastics.

There are increasing concerns regarding the ecological risks of plastics to the natural environment, especially the potential effects of plastic leachates on organisms, which contain various toxic components. However, appropriate methods to assess the overall environmental risks of plastics are limited. In this study, five different plastic products (three conventional and two biodegradable plastics) were immersed in simulated freshwater, and their toxicity was assessed using a battery of bioassays.

Size/shape-dependent migration of microplastics in agricultural soil under simulative and natural rainfall.

Agricultural soil is a sink of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. MPs in topsoil can be transferred deeply or into surrounding water by rainfall. However, little is known about rainfall-induced migration pattern of different MPs in agricultural soil.

Air conditioner filters become sinks and sources of indoor microplastics fibers.

Indoor airborne microplastics fibers (MPFs) are emerging contaminants of growing concern. Nowadays, air conditioners (ACs) are widely used in indoor environments. However, little is known about their impact on the distribution of indoor MPFs.

National-scale distribution of micro(meso)plastics in farmland soils across China: Implications for environmental impacts.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is increasingly appreciated as a significant environmental issue, however, the large-scale pattern of MPs in farmland soils and its associated environmental impacts are unknown. This study investigated a national-scale distribution of micro(meso)plastics (MMPs) in the soil of 30 farmlands across China. The abundance of MMPs in soils was 25.

Removal of microplastics from water by magnetic nano-FeO.

Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in aquatic environments, and become emerging contaminants of growing concern. It is urgently needed to explore how to effectively remove MPs from water. This study first established an alternative method of removing MPs by magnetic nano-FeO.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy aptasensor for simultaneous determination of ochratoxin A and zearalenone using Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles and gold nanorods.

The design and fabrication of a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) aptasensor for simultaneous detection of zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in wheat and corn samples is described. The capture and reporter probes were SH-cDNA-modified gold nanorods and SH-Apt-modified Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles, respectively. After recognizing OTA and ZEN aptamers and complementary strands (SH-cDNA), the reporter probe generated a strong SERS signal.

Methods for separating microplastics from complex solid matrices: Comparative analysis.

Microplastics (MPs) are widely found in complex solid matrices such as soil, sediments and sludge. The separation procedure is crucial for effective analysis of MPs, but existing methods varied among studies. Here, we systematically summarize and compare separation methods including density, oil, electrostatic, magnetic, and solvent extraction separation.

Biodegradation and disintegration of expanded polystyrene by land snails Achatina fulica.

Despite increasing evidence of widespread plastic pollution in soil, it remains largely unknown about the fate of plastic influenced by soil animals. In this study, ingestion and biodegradation capability of expanded polystyrene (PS) foam was investigated in a globally distributed soil invertebrate, Achatina fulica. After 4-week exposure, 18.

Size-dependent cellular internalization and effects of polystyrene microplastics in microalgae P. helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis and S. quadricauda.

Microplastics (MPs) are persistent contaminants in aquatic environments. Microalgae, as the main phytoplankton and primary producers, usually co-exist with MPs. Despite previous studies that have proved the interaction of MPs and microalgae, it is largely unknown whether MPs can be uptake into cells of microalgae.

Prevalence of microplastics in animal-based traditional medicinal materials: Widespread pollution in terrestrial environments.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. MPs have been extensively observed in the aquatic environment, yet rarely investigated in the terrestrial ecosystem, especially in relation to health risks. To evaluate potential MPs pollution in land-dwelling animal medicine materials, we collected 20 types of small animal-based medicinal materials and 10 types of available fresh terrestrial animals from eight different regions in China.

A method for extracting soil microplastics through circulation of sodium bromide solutions.

Microplastics (MP) have been recently found in soil environments. These MP might have adverse effects at high concentrations and thus efficient extraction and analysis of MP from soil is needed. Here we propose a new method of NaBr solution circulation for extracting soil MP.

Uptake and adverse effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics fibers on terrestrial snails (Achatina fulica) after soil exposure.

Recent studies have demonstrated the occurrence of microplastic fibers (MFs) in soil environments. To determine whether MFs are harmful for soil biota, we evaluated toxic effects on terrestrial snails (Achatina fulica) after 28 d exposure to polyethylene terephthalate MFs at concentrations of 0.01-0.

Microplastic pollution in rice-fish co-culture system: A report of three farmland stations in Shanghai, China.

Microplastics are emerging contaminants of increasing concern. Despite the occurrence of microplastics in farmland soils, the knowledge on microplastics in rice-fish co-culture ecosystems is limited. In this study, we investigated the distribution of microplastics in three rice-fish culture stations in Shanghai.

Mutation of hop-1 and pink-1 attenuates vulnerability of neurotoxicity in C. elegans: the role of mitochondria-associated membrane proteins in Parkinsonism.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered as a critical mechanism in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Increasing evidence supports the notion of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) in mitochondrial dysfunction; yet little is known about the role of MAMs-related proteins in the pathogenesis of PD. Herein we exposed the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to 0.