Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mehmood Aslam, Abdul Qadir, Saba Hafeez, Hafiz Muhammad Umer Aslam, Sajid Rashid Ahmad
Summary: This study examines the spatial distribution of microplastics (MPs) in River Ravi in Pakistan during different seasons. The results show that the concentrations of MPs in both water and sediment samples are relatively high, with urban sprawl, industrialization, improper solid waste management, and overuse of plastic products being major contributors. This study provides important scientific information for policymakers and river managers to effectively address plastic pollution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Junaid, Junaid Ali Siddiqui, Mamona Sadaf, Shulin Liu, Jun Wang
Summary: Microplastic pollution and its associated impacts are spreading rapidly in aquatic environments worldwide. Microplastics serve as vectors for pathogen transmission and can cause ecological and human health issues. Future research is needed to ensure the integrity and safety of ecological and human health.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sonia Kacprzak, Leonard D. Tijing
Summary: This study investigates the presence, sources, types, levels, and impacts of microplastics in indoor air. The results reveal the scale and complexity of airborne microplastics pollution, as well as technological deficiencies in testing methods. Possible methods of controlling and reducing these pollutants are also explored.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diana S. Moura, Carlos J. Pestana, Colin F. Moffat, Jianing Hui, John T. S. Irvine, Linda A. Lawton
Summary: Microplastic research is important due to the detection of microplastics in aquatic environments. Most laboratory-based research fails to characterize the microplastics used in experiments. This study evaluated the characterization of microplastics in 21 published adsorption studies and found inconsistencies between the supplied material and analytical data. The study highlights the importance of characterizing materials used in microplastic-related experiments to ensure reliable interpretation of results and better understand the environmental consequences of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Avelyno H. D'Costa
Summary: This review examines the exposure of microplastics to Decapods and discusses its ecological impacts, implications for human beings, and limitations in the research.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefania Squadrone, Sabina Pederiva, Tabata Bezzo, Rocco Mussat Sartor, Marco Battuello, Nicola Nurra, Alessandra Griglione, Paola Brizio, Maria Cesarina Abete
Summary: This study investigated the trace elements associated with microplastics by collecting marine zooplankton from the Mediterranean Sea. It found that microplastics concentrate various metals several orders of magnitude higher than surrounding waters, potentially posing toxicity to marine organisms after chronic exposure. Variations in iron and manganese levels in samples from different regions were observed, possibly due to sediment lithology and anthropogenic inputs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Noreen Khalid, Muhammad Aqeel, Ali Noman, Zarrin Fatima Rizvi
Summary: The contamination of agroecosystems by microplastics from plastic mulching poses significant threats to soil, crop productivity, and environmental health. These microplastics can accumulate other contaminants and transfer through the food chain, potentially impacting human health. Researchers are now focusing on alternative solutions like biodegradable mulches.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kerrin Toner, Stephen R. Midway
Summary: Most earth's systems and organisms contain microplastics with lethal and sublethal effects. Studies show a knowledge gap in past patterns of microplastic ingestion in fish. Research suggests that stream fish in the southeastern U.S. likely did not ingest large amounts of microplastics during the 20th century.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guilherme Malafaia, Thiarlem Marinho da Luz, Amanda Pereira da Costa Araujo, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Damia Barcelo
Summary: This study aimed to assess and validate a protocol for optimizing the identification and quantification of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) in biological samples. The use of acetonitrile for digestion of cellulosic membranes was found to prevent loss of particles and promote good dispersion of MPs. Neubauer chambers showed good recovery rates and consistent results for quantifying MPs in samples with different concentrations.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hao Du, Jun Wang
Summary: This paper systematically reviewed the analysis methods of microplastics, including physical and chemical characterization. It analyzed and compared the characteristics, application range, and pros and cons of each method, while also addressing the current research gaps and proposing future research recommendations. The study focused mainly on microplastics in aquatic environments, highlighting the need for further research in other environmental compartments.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Asta Hooge, Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen, Wiebke M. Heinze, Gry Lyngsie, Tiffany M. Ramos, Monica H. Sandgaard, Jes Vollertsen, Kristian Syberg
Summary: The aim of this study was to review the occurrence of microplastics in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants and evaluate the implications of sludge application to agricultural soils. Sludge serves as a significant sink for microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing its importance as a pathway for environmental exposure. The application of sludge on agricultural fields is associated with increased concentrations of microplastics in soils, potentially impacting soil health. However, sludge treatments prior to application may alter the abundance and properties of microplastics, such as shape and size, subsequently affecting environmental risk. Knowledge gaps still exist regarding sludge treatments and their effects on microplastics. Further investigation is needed to assess the risk of microplastics exposure in wastewater treatment plants, explore the effects of sludge treatments on soil health, and better understand how management practices in wastewater treatment plants and agricultural systems influence microplastic properties.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tristyn N. Garza, David K. A. Barnes, James D. Scourse, Justine M. Whitaker, Alexis M. Janosik
Summary: Microplastics are found everywhere, including the Southern Ocean, coastal sediments, and Antarctic marine organisms. However, there is a lack of data on microplastics in Antarctic waters. This study focused on fjord habitats on the Western Antarctic Peninsula and found that microplastics were present in all sampled fjords each year and their concentrations increased from 2017 to 2020.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria B. Alfonso, Andres H. Arias, Ana C. Ronda, Maria C. Piccolo
Summary: Microplastics are widespread environmental contaminants with presence in air, soil, and freshwater environments. Their behavior and pathways are influenced by factors such as size, shape, polymer composition, and density. Research should focus on understanding soil characteristics, climate variability, and hydrological features to comprehensively study the impacts of microplastics in the environment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Negar Ashjar, Behnam Keshavarzi, Farid Moore, Mehdi Zarei, Rosa Busquets, Seyed Mojtaba Zebarjad, Zargham Mohammadi
Summary: There is a pressing need for research on the distribution of microplastics in wetlands, as these ecosystems of special ecological value are under threat from the growing use of plastic. This study examines the occurrence of microplastics in the surface sediment of the Freidounkenar International Wetland in Northern Iran, an important habitat for migratory birds. The researchers found a total of 1368 microplastics per kilogram in the surface sediments, with the highest concentrations near agricultural fields, agroecosystems for birds, fishing areas, and roads. The dominant types of microplastics were fibers, white-transparent, and black-grey particles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Greg B. Merrill, Ludovic Hermabessiere, Chelsea M. Rochman, Douglas P. Nowacek
Summary: Marine mammals consume large quantities of microplastic particles through prey or directly from seawater or sediment. This study demonstrates the presence of microplastics in four tissues of twelve marine mammal species, indicating translocation of ingested microplastics throughout their bodies. These findings suggest an exposure risk to both marine mammals and people.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ganesh Lamichhane, Sujan Khadka, Ashis Acharya, Niranjan Parajuli
Summary: This study compares the effects of organic solvent and hot water pretreatment on the total reducing sugar yield of finger millet straw biomass. The results show that the highest biomass recovery and increase in cellulose content were achieved with liquid hot water pretreatment, while hemicellulose and lignin contents significantly decreased.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
A. Acharya, T. Kogure
Summary: Distributed fibre-optic sensing (DFOS) has evolved rapidly in multiple technical fields, including slope engineering, providing advantages over traditional landslide monitoring approaches. By embedding fibre-optic (FO) cables in trenches or boreholes, DFOS systems can detect precursory signs of failure well before collapse by measuring light sent and backscattered along the cable.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Energy & Fuels
Ganesh Lamichhane, Sujan Khadka, Ashis Acharya, Niranjan Parajuli
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siddha Raj Upadhyaya, Lila Bahadur Magar, Ranjita Thapa, Soniya Joshi, Karan Khadayat, Bishnu P. Marasini, Niranjan Parajuli
Summary: Aldose reductase is a key enzyme in the development of diabetic retinopathy. This study investigated the potential of medicinal plants in inhibiting aldose reductase and treating retinopathy. The ethanol extract of Swertia chirayita exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), while Bergenia ciliata and Rhododendron arboreum showed significant antioxidant activity. The extract of Bergenia ciliata also showed the highest inhibition of aldose reductase.
JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rabin Budhathoki, Arjun Prasad Timilsina, Bishnu P. Regmi, Khaga Raj Sharma, Niraj Aryal, Niranjan Parajuli
Summary: Turmeric is a medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic qualities. This study identified 30 metabolites in its rhizomes, including novel compounds and known ones like diarylheptanoids, bisabolocurcumin ethers, and cinnamic acid derivatives, using HPLC and mass spectrometry techniques.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bimal K. Raut, Siddha Raj Upadhyaya, Jyoti Bashyal, Niranjan Parajuli
Summary: This study identifies quercetin as the most potent inhibitor of human pancreatic alpha-amylase (HPA), which holds promise for diabetes therapy. Further research is necessary.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arjun Prasad Timilsina, Bimal Kumar Raut, Chen Huo, Karan Khadayat, Prakriti Budhathoki, Mandira Ghimire, Rabin Budhathoki, Niraj Aryal, Ki Hyun Kim, Niranjan Parajuli
Summary: Metabolomics and molecular networking approaches have been rapidly advancing in the field of biological sciences, allowing for the systematic identification and characterization of bioactive metabolites in natural products. This study focused on evaluating the potential of four medicinal plants in inhibiting enzymatic activity and annotating secondary metabolites.