Microplastics – News and Features

Researchers have developed a method to make PVC more durable and less likely to shed microplastics.

Researchers have discovered how cells of a Comamonas bacterium are breaking down plastic for food. They chew the plastic into nanoparticles, secrete enzymes and ultimately use a ring of carbon atoms from the plastic as a food source.

Researchers found that leave-on cosmetic products, like sunscreens and moisturizers, are poorly studied regarding microplastic contamination. The review calls for increased regulatory focus on these items.

Researchers found that nanoplastics severely impact vulnerable species like grazing zooplankton and diatoms, while cyanobacteria thrive The study indicates that increasing nanoplastic concentrations may lead to ecological shifts.

A study found microplastics in all three coral anatomical parts—surface mucus, tissue, and skeleton. The findings suggest corals may act as a "sink" for microplastics, potentially explaining the missing plastic problem.

A new report that reviews 20 years of microplastics research suggests there is enough evidence to inform a global approach to tackle the spread of plastic pollution.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a sugar-like polymer that traps heavy metals like cadmium and lead in water, forming clumps for easy removal. The polymer maintains its effectiveness through multiple cycles.

University of Waterloo researchers have used 3D imaging technology to understand the fine details of microplastics, paving the way for more effective methods of plastic waste recycling.

A new study reveals that nanoplastics, which are tiny plastic particles less than one micrometer in size, may cross the blood-brain barrier

Researchers have created a catalytic process that efficiently breaks down polyethylene and polypropylene plastics into their monomer building blocks. This advancement could enable a circular economy for plastics.