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As an emerging pollutant in the life cycle of plastic products, micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) are increasingly being released into the natural environment. Substantial concerns have been raised regarding the environmental and health impacts of M/NPs. Although diverse M/NPs have been detected in natural environment, most of them display two similar features, i.e.,high surface area and strong binding affinity, which enable extensive interactions between M/NPs and surrounding substances. This results in the formation of coronas, including eco-coronas and bio-coronas, on the plastic surface in different media. In real exposure scenarios, corona formation on M/NPs is inevitable and often displays variable and complex structures. The surface coronas have been found to impact the transportation, uptake, distribution, biotransformation and toxicity of particulates. Different from conventional toxins, packages on M/NPs rather than bare particles are more dangerous. We, therefore, recommend seriously consideration of the role of surface coronas in safety assessments. This review summarizes recent progress on the eco–coronas and bio-coronas of M/NPs, and further discusses the analytical methods to interpret corona structures, highlights the impacts of the corona on toxicity and provides future perspectives.

Background: Humans cannot avoid plastic exposure due to its ubiquitous presence in the natural environment. The waste generated is poorly biodegradable and exists in the form of MPs, which can enter the human body primarily through the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or damaged skin and accumulate in various tissues by crossing biological membrane barriers. There is an increasing amount of research on the health effects of MPs. Most literature reports focus on the impact of plastics on the respiratory, digestive, reproductive, hormonal, nervous, and immune systems, as well as the metabolic effects of MPs accumulation leading to epidemics of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. MPs, as xenobiotics, undergo ADMET processes in the body, i.e., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, which are not fully understood. Of particular concern are the carcinogenic chemicals added to plastics during manufacturing or adsorbed from the environment, such as chlorinated paraffins, phthalates, phenols, and bisphenols, which can be released when absorbed by the body. The continuous increase in NMP exposure has accelerated during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic when there was a need to use single-use plastic products in daily life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to diagnose problems related to the health effects of MP exposure and detection. Methods: We collected eligible publications mainly from PubMed published between 2017 and 2024. Results: In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on potential sources and routes of exposure, translocation pathways, identification methods, and carcinogenic potential confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Additionally, we discuss the limitations of studies such as contamination during sample preparation and instrumental limitations constraints affecting imaging quality and MPs detection sensitivity. Conclusions: The assessment of MP content in samples should be performed according to the appropriate procedure and analytical technique to ensure Quality and Control (QA/QC). It was confirmed that MPs can be absorbed and accumulated in distant tissues, leading to an inflammatory response and initiation of signaling pathways responsible for malignant transformation.

Plastic contamination in marine and drinking water is a major concern in environmental research. Particularly, detection and identification of micro and nanometric particles remain as important challenges, and so, several emergent methods are currently being investigated. Here, an optoelectronic platform is presented for trapping and accumulating micro/nano‐plastics dispersed in water. The system exploits the photo‐induced electric fields generated by visible light in LiNbO3:Fe crystals. When light is focused on the crystal, the photogenerated electric field triggers successive ejection of tiny droplets from the aqueous sample. These droplets reach the illuminated surface and evaporate leaving behind accumulated particles. Efficient accumulation of polystyrene microparticles is achieved down to 1 µg L−1. The influence of plastic concentration and illumination time are characterized. Moreover, the method is further validated at the nanoscale using 140 nm diameter polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles. Its functionality in saline water dispersions is also confirmed although exhibiting a lower efficiency. Finally, the platform´s versatility is demonstrated by accumulating other plastic contaminants such as polyethylene (PE) and polymethyl‐methacrylate (PMMA), and a mix of PE and PS. The resulting accumulation spots serve as suitable samples for plastic identification by Raman spectroscopy. Overall, these results highlight the potential of optoelectronic lithium niobate platforms for micro/nano‐plastics capture, accumulation and Raman identification. An emergent photo‐electrohydrodynamic ejection technique, based on optoelectronic lithium niobate platforms, combined with Raman spectroscopy, is successfully applied to the capture, accumulation and identification of typical contaminant micro‐ and nano‐plastics. Plastic particle accumulation from diluted dispersions with concentrations as low as 1 µg L−1 is achieved, and efficient operation in fresh and saline water is demonstrated.

The global environmental concern surrounding microplastic (MP) pollution has raised alarms due to its potential health risks to animals, plants, and humans. Because of the complex structure and composition of microplastics (MPs), the detection methods are limited, resulting in restricted detection accuracy. Surface enhancement of Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a spectral technique, offers several advantages, such as high resolution and low detection limit. It has the potential to be extensively employed for sensitive detection and high-resolution imaging of microplastics. We have summarized the research conducted in recent years on the detection of microplastics using Raman and SERS. Here, we have reviewed qualitative and quantitative analyses of microplastics and their derivatives, as well as the latest progress, challenges, and potential applications. Graphical abstract

Micro/nanoplastics, tiny fragments smaller than 5 mm, have emerged as significant pollutants in aquatic ecosystems across the globe. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted dimensions of micro/nanoplastic pollution in aquatic habitats, offering insights into its sources, distribution patterns, and the toxicological repercussions it fosters. An alarming finding highlights that these minute particles, often overlooked, are ubiquitous across freshwater, marine, and estuarine environments, posing threats to aquatic flora and fauna. Detailed case studies provide real-world evidence of the damage micro/nanoplastic inflict, emphasizing their insidious nature and potential for biomagnification in aquatic food webs. Accompanying these particles, the associated chemical contaminants further exacerbate the environmental harm. This review also sheds light on the advanced methodologies employed for the detection and analysis of these plastic fragments, ranging from innovative sampling techniques to in vivo, in vitro, and in silico toxicological evaluations. However, with the escalating challenges presented by micro/nanoplastic pollution, it is imperative to look beyond the present. Our recommendations for the future hinge on robust research endeavors, policy-making fortified by scientific insights, and a collaborative global approach to mitigate the looming crisis. This review aims to be a cornerstone for researchers, policymakers, and environmentalists, offering a panoramic view of the current state, challenges, and prospective strategies concerning micro/nanoplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Graphical Abstract

Pollution by emerging contaminants, such as micro-nanoplastics, alongside the exponential prevalence of diet-related diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes, poses significant concerns for modern societies. There is an urgent need to explore the synergistic effects of these two factors, as unhealthy lifestyles may increase disease susceptibility and amplify the harmful impacts of pollutants on human health. Mitochondria play a crucial role in both micro-nanoplastic-induced toxicity and in the pathogenesis of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This makes them a potential target for assessing the combined effects of micro-nanoplastic exposure and poor dietary habits. To address this issue, we conducted a review of the latest investigations evaluating the effects of micro-nanoplastics in the presence of unhealthy diets. Although the evidence is limited, the reviewed studies indicate that these particles may exacerbate common metabolic disturbances associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes: elevated fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance. Some studies have identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential underlying mechanism driving these effects. Thus, mitochondria appear to be a key link between micro-nanoplastic exposure and diet-related diseases. Assessing the function of this organelle may allow a more fitted risk assessment of the potential impacts of micro-nanoplastics.

Micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) have become prevalent in aquatic environments due to their widespread applications. Likewise, ubiquitous ecological macromolecules can adsorb onto M/NPs to form an “eco-corona”, which significantly alters their environmental behaviors including aggregation dynamics, adsorption/desorption, and bioavailability. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the role of eco-corona in assessing the environmental risks of M/NPs. This review systematically summarizes the formation mechanisms of eco-corona and evaluates its regulatory effects on the stability and ecotoxicity of M/NPs. Compared with other ecological macromolecules (e.g., natural organic matter and extracellular polymeric substances), humic acid (HA) tightly binds to M/NPs through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, significantly affecting their hetero-aggregation behavior and colloidal stability. In terms of bioavailability, the various functional groups on the HA surface can regulate the surface charge and hydrophobicity of M/NPs, thereby affecting their bioaccumulation and “Trojan horse” effect. Notably, the HA corona alleviates M/NPs-induced growth inhibition and oxidative stress. Genotoxicity assessment further showed that HA corona can regulate the expression of genes related to oxidative stress response and detoxification pathways. Future studies should focus on the synergistic effects between eco-corona and co-existing pollutants in complex aquatic environments to elucidate the long-term ecological risks associated with eco-corona formation.

Micro/nanoplastics are widespread in terrestrial ecosystem. Even though many studies have been reported on the effects of these in marine environment, studies concerning their accumulation and impact on terrestrial ecosystem have been scanty. The current study was designed to determine how terrestrial plants, especially legumes, interact with micro/nanoplastics to gain insights into their uptake and translocation. The paper describes the synthesis of fluorescent carbon dot embedded polystyrene (CDPS) followed by its characterization. Translocation studies at different concentrations from 2 to 100% (v/v) for tracking the movement and accumulation of microplastics in Vigna radiata and Vigna angularis were performed. The optical properties of the synthesized CDPS were investigated, and their translocation within the plants was visualized using fluorescence microscopy. These findings were further validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the plant sections. The results showed that concentrations higher than 6% (v/v) displayed noticeable fluorescence in the vascular region and on the cell walls, while concentrations below this threshold did not. The study highlights the potential of utilizing fluorescent CDPS as markers for investigating the ecological consequences and biological absorption of microplastics in agricultural systems. This method offers a unique technique for monitoring and analyzing the routes of microplastic accumulation in edible plants, with significant implications for both food safety and environmental health.

Plastic production, which exceeds one million tons per year, is of global concern. The constituent low-density polymers enable spread over large distances and micro/nano particles (MNPLs) induce organ toxicity via digestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Particles have been documented in all human tissues including breast milk. MNPLs, especially weathered particles, can breach the blood–brain barrier, inducing neurotoxicity. This has been documented in non-human species, and in human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines. Within the brain, MNPLs initiate an inflammatory response with pro-inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative stress with generation of reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter dysfunction also ensues with alteration of excitatory/inhibitory balance in favor of reduced inhibition and resultant neuro-excitation. Inflammation and cortical hyperexcitability are key abnormalities involved in the pathogenic cascade of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and are intricately related to the mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, a hallmark of ALS. Water and many foods contain MNPLs and in humans, ingestion is the main form of exposure. Digestion of plastics within the gut can alter their properties, rendering them more toxic, and they cause gut microbiome dysbiosis and a dysfunctional gut–brain axis. This is recognized as a trigger and/or aggravating factor for ALS. ALS is associated with a long (years or decades) preclinical period and neonates and infants are exposed to MNPLs through breast milk, milk substitutes, and toys. This endangers a time of intense neurogenesis and establishment of neuronal circuitry, setting the stage for development of neurodegeneration in later life. MNPL neurotoxicity should be considered as a yet unrecognized risk factor for ALS and related diseases.

Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have limited efficiency in removing emerging pollutants (EPs), meaning these pollutants persist and lead to widespread ecological contamination. In this study, real effluents from a WWTP were characterized using TOC and Py-GC/MS, which indicated the presence of various organic compounds that could be indicative of micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) or plastics additives. To address this challenge, we propose the use of a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) as an advanced treatment system capable of achieving high degradation efficiency under mild operating conditions. Preliminary experimental tests were conducted using various commercial photocatalysts (TiO2, WO3, Nb2O5), four UV lamps, and oxidants (air, O2) using added Gemfibrozil (GEM) as a drug model compound. Real effluent samples collected from WWTP were tested with and without pretreatment to remove coarse particles prior to photocatalysis. Mineralization was achieved in both cases, but it occurred at a higher rate for the pretreated effluent. The mineralization of GEM and EPs in real effluent was achieved within five hours under UV irradiation using titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a low-cost photocatalyst in a PMR. The results highlight the potential of photocatalytic systems, and particularly PMRs, as a promising technology for removing recalcitrant pollutants in real effluents offering a viable solution for improved environmental protection.