Abstract Bioluminescence is a predominant phenomenon in marine environments, the production of light by living organisms through enzyme-mediated chemical reactions involving luciferin, the light-emitting substrate and luciferase, the enzyme that catalyses its oxidation. In the deep sea, bioluminescence is not merely a visual trait but a critical ecological function supporting prey capture, mate recognition, communication and other species interactions. Recent evidence indicates that plastic exposure can alter bioluminescent responses through ingestion, tissue stress, oxidative damage and interference with chemical signalling pathways. This is of growing concern because plastic debris and microplastics are increasingly detected from surface waters to abyssal environments, making them bioavailable to deep-sea organisms. Since many deep-sea organisms depend on bioluminescence for survival and reproduction, any impairment of light production mechanisms can influence not only individual fitness but also prey–predator interactions, trophic transfer and ecosystem functioning. This letter highlights plastic pollution as an emerging threat to deep-sea bioluminescence and calls for long-term monitoring and policy attention to protect biological light-mediated ecological processes in the deep ocean.
Microplastic (MP) pollution in terrestrial ecosystems is attracting global attention. The transfer of MPs in terrestrial food chains remains poorly understood, particularly in poultry systems. This study investigates polystyrene (PS) MP transfer and surface weathering characteristics in an "earthworm-chicken" food chain by feeding chickens earthworms that had been previously exposed to PS MPs and by oral gavage. The results showed that MP concentrations decreased from soil (10.06 +/- 0.03 mg/g) to earthworm casts (6.39 +/- 1.05 mg/g) to chicken faeces (3.76 +/- 0.39 mg/g), and the transfer process of MPs in the "earthworm-chicken" food chains is characterized by continuous fragmentation. MPs were distributed throughout different parts of the chickens' digestive tract after 3 h oral gavage and were only detected in the faeces after 24 h. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that MPs underwent varying degrees of weathering in the earthworm casts, chicken faeces and gastrointestinal tract, exhibiting surface holes and cracks. Compared with pristine MPs, the significantly higher carbonyl index of MPs in the gizzard demonstrates the key role of the gizzard in MP fragmentation. This study contributes to understanding the trophic transfer and fragmentation processes of MPs in chickens, and provides a basis for future research on the environmental processes of MPs in terrestrial food chains.
The healthcare sector is a major consumer of plastics, with single-use gloves among the most frequently used items. Their use has increased significantly over recent decades, with the COVID-19 pandemic further accelerating this trend. Despite this, little is known about the drivers of glove consumption or how it might be reduced. This study examines the use of single-use plastic gloves in healthcare settings in two Scandinavian countries, drawing on interviews with 26 respondents, observational data, and document analysis. Findings reveal substantial overuse, misuse, and unnecessary disposal driven by behavioral norms, institutional practices, procurement routines, and product design. The study examines how circular strategies (R-strategies) can be applied to enhance the effective and efficient use of gloves, emphasizing the often-overlooked importance of the use phase. Behavioral change among staff emerges as more impactful than top-down policy alone, underscoring a gap between strategic goals and daily practices. The article identifies key opportunities and barriers to implementing circular solutions, offering insights relevant to researchers, healthcare professionals, procurement officers, and policymakers. Immediate practical implications center on adjusting staff routines and incentives, while further research is needed into mechanisms bridging the gap between environmental targets and medical professionals’ everyday decision-making.
Marine litter, predominantly plastic, is a global environmental threat, which management is hindered by the absence of large-scale monitoring tools. This study extends a framework to detect Floating Marine Macro-Litter (FMML) in the complex waters of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and Hong Kong, using the MARIne Debris Archive benchmark dataset and Sentinel-2 imagery. A comparative analysis showed that a Random Forest (RF) classifier - leveraging spectral indices and textural features - significantly outperformed a U-Net model, achieving higher macro-F1 scores and precision. Applying the RF classifier to the PRE from 2017 to 2024, results revealed distinct spatial-temporal patterns, with FMML peaks in March and September linked to seasonal hydrology and complex circulation. Detection results deviated from summer clean-up ground truth data, suggesting that high hydrodynamic energy processes may cause rapid transport, submergence, or stranding, reducing satellite visibility. Although the model faced generalization challenges, it demonstrated strength in identifying large accumulations related to circulation and regional debris traits. This research underscores the potential of satellite monitoring while emphasizing the need for regionally calibrated models that integrate hydrodynamic data to align remote sensing with on-ground realities, ultimately supporting mitigation in dynamic coastal environments.
Microplastics are widely discussed as a pervasive environmental issue, yet decisive action and turning them into a governable "policy object" has proven to be slow and challenging. This paper investigates the shifting and heterogeneous problem framings of microplastic pollution and the regulatory complexities that emerge from them. Drawing on research from science and technology studies, we analyze how microplastics remained "hidden in plain sight" for decades, obscured by limited scientific standardization, competing problematizations, debates over scientific evidence, widespread cultural imaginaries and economic interests. The research reveals that the path from scientific knowledge to policy action is not linear but a process of co-production, where public concern, scientific capabilities and political agendas continuously reshape one another. We trace the evolution of the issue - from marine pollution to other media, human health and now nanoplastics - highlighting how each shift opens up new questions posing new (regulatory) challenges. The findings demonstrate that effective environmental governance requires more than data; it demands a critical understanding of the complex innovation pathways that produce such residues. We conclude that durable solutions require extended infrastructures of responsibility and care and the development of adaptive institutional frameworks capable of navigating scientific uncertainty and contested values.
Marine plastic pollution increasingly infiltrates coastal soils, yet little is known about their role as potential sources of microplastics (MPs) leaking back into the ocean. This study documents and quantifies MP leakage from plastic-infiltrated coastal soil on Sm empty set la island, Central Norway, and evaluates a low-cost, citizen-science-friendly methodology for future global monitoring. Nine soil cores were extracted and subjected to simulated rainfall. Leachate samples were filtered, oxidized (H2O2), Nile Red-stained and examined under ultraviolet-stereomicroscopy. MPs in the size range of 1 mm-100 mu m were detected in all samples, from 6.2 to 33.9 MPs/L (mean +/- SD = 20.0 +/- 10.8 MPs/L), corresponding to an estimated annual leakage of similar to 27,000 MPs/m(2)/year. A significant positive correlation (rho(Spearman) = 0.72, p = 0.030) was found between macroplastic concentration and MP leakage. Coastal soils may only act as a temporary sink, facilitating breakdown into secondary MPs and redistribution to the ocean. To enable further studies, we present a pedagogical step-by-step guide for application in citizen science and educational contexts. We also emphasize its potential to empower research in developing countries. Together, these outcomes lay the foundation for accessible, globally comparable monitoring of MP leakage from coastal soil - an underexplored yet potentially significant pathway in the plastic pollution cycle.
With plastic pollution continuing to rise, there has been increasing interest in bioplastics as potential solution. While protein and starch-based bioplastics offer biodegradable properties, many still rely on non-sustainable starch sources. For these materials to be effective, they need to be both biodegradable and sustainably sourced. Just as importantly, the public, as the end users, need to find them appealing and understand what makes them different. This study evaluates perception of bioplastics and the possible applications of the starch-protein blend biopolymers (SPBBs) made from: Potato, Tapioca, Sago and Swamp Taro. Through public survey and focus group, the study found that age and education influenced people's understanding of terms like "biodegradable" and "biobased." While most were familiar with biodegradability, fewer understood biobased, though many were open to paying up to 5% more for sustainable alternatives. The results also showed that 74% of people use plastic alternatives, and 80% identified packaging, especially food packaging, as major source of pollution. In the focus group, participants prioritised sustainability, cost, clarity and colour. They also suggested using media campaigns, influencers and clearer labelling to boost public awareness. Future research should investigate public understanding of bioplastics and their cost implications to encourage shift towards more sustainable, environmentally friendly choices.
The inability of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to reach agreement on a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty at INC-5.2 in August 2025 reflects deep geopolitical and economic divisions that limit international environmental governance. While most countries in the High-Ambition Coalition supported upstream interventions, including capping plastic production and phasing out hazardous chemical additives, oil-producing states (members of the Like-Minded group) pushed to limit the treaty to waste management and recycling (downstream measures). This deadlock carries profound implications: escalating plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, impacting the trust in multilateral institutions that rely on consensus and the growing influence of petrochemical lobbies. Moving forward may require reforming negotiation procedures that do not rely on consensus, making evidence-based policymaking a priority, supporting equity and just transition principles and leveraging regional leadership and civil society mobilisation. Despite the current stalemate, the urgency of the plastics crisis underscores the necessity of renewed global commitment to an ambitious and equitable Global Plastics Treaty.
Ocean plastic pollution is a global issue, but many small island states lack relevant research studies and data. Microplastics are a major concern due to their persistence, entry into food chains and potential to transfer pollutants. Fish gastrointestinal tracts are easy to sample and provide a useful indicator of pollution levels. In 2024, we sampled 201 reef fish spanning 44 species from Funafuti Atoll, Tuvalu, to provide the first baseline microplastic data from this island nation. In total, 75 individuals (37.3%) contained microplastics. The mean occurrence was 0.72 +/- 1.16 (mean +/- SD) particles per fish, with a maximum of 5 particles per fish found in individuals of four species: Aphareus rutilans, Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, Mulloidichthys vanicolensis and Sargocentron spiniferum. When focusing analyses on seven species with 10 or more individual samples, generalized linear models found no significant differences among species, but revealed fish had significantly more microplastics close to the most populous islet Fongafale (0.95 +/- 1.26 particles per individual), compared to rural islets Papaelise and Funafala (0.28 +/- 0.77 particles per individual). Fibers were the most common microplastic, and polypropylene was the dominant polymer. This study confirms microplastic presence within the gastrointestinal tracts of key food fish from Funafuti lagoon, emphasizing the need for further research.
The intersection between climate change, energy transitions and the circular economy highlight the opportunities and contestations between different efforts to mitigate the complex environmental challenges we face. The energy we use to extract, manufacture, remanufacture and dispose of our material world is a major contributor to diverse climate impacts, an issue which is compounded by linear economic models that necessitate eternal extraction. Yet many of the materials we depend upon are exceptionally efficient at enabling functions that facilitate social, economic and environmental sustainability. This dichotomy is arguably most acutely debated in the world of polymers and plastics. While recycling has long been touted as a solution space for plastic sustainability, a plethora of chemists, biologists and engineers have more recently expanded global research in this direction. The resultant proliferation of terms like 'up-' or 'down-' or 're-'cycling that frame these opportunities are often poorly defined as value propositions. The danger lies in directions acting as a barrier to circularity, or even greenwashing transformations. Herein, we explore the value judgements and verifications of this directionality, investigate how we can better define these value judgements from a systems sustainability perspective and evaluate different proposed approaches and their barriers across different supply chains and sectors.
Biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) are reported to have a priming effect on soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition. However, their impact on the turnover of specific SOM components, especially nitrogen (N)-containing ones, remains unclear. Given the wide use of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) in agricultural films and the crucial role of amino sugar N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) in microbial necromass, the effects of PBAT BMPs on NAG decomposition in soil were investigated. We found that PBAT accelerated the decomposition of NAG, with specific effects varying considerably in the two soils examined (Yingtan soil and Nanjing soil). Microbial biomass and metagenomic sequencing analyses revealed that, in Yingtan soil with low available N (6 mg kg-1), PBAT promoted the incorporation of NAG into living microbial biomass, and increased the abundance of NAG phosphorylation and isomerization genes (amgK and glmM). In Nanjing soil with high available N (127 mg kg-1), chitin synthase gene (CHS1) abundance decreased and there was no significant change in microbial biomass, indicating the extra NAG decomposed in PBAT-treated soils might mainly enter the glycolysis pathway to generate energy rather than synthesizing new cells. Potential PBAT degraders enriched were also NAG degraders, suggesting carbon-rich PBAT selected for microbes that could obtain N from amino sugars.
Microplastics are widespread in aquatic environments and support surface-associated microbial communities. Although antimicrobial resistance in the plastisphere has been reported, the organization of resistance genes across plasmid types and mobility categories on microplastic surfaces remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we analyzed published microplastic biofilm metagenomes to examine microbial community structure, plasmid replicon diversity, predicted mobility, and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) distributions across microplastics from various global locations. Phylum-level taxonomic profiles varied by geography, but most plastisphere communities were dominated by Pseudomonadota. Core microbiome analysis revealed several genera within the Pseudomonadota (Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Sulfitobacter, Vibrio, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Roseovarius, and Hyphomonas) as members of the plastisphere core. Plasmid reconstruction revealed differences in predicted mobility profiles, with conjugative plasmids frequently identified in the polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride samples. A co-occurrence analysis of plasmid mobility, replicons, and ARG showed that conjugative plasmids connected a broader range of replicons to multiple ARG classes than mobilizable or non-mobilizable plasmids. IncFIB and IncFII replicons were prominent with high ARG co-occurrence. Additionally, several less-characterized rep_cluster replicons were detected across microplastic types, indicating diverse and understudied plasmid backbones within plastisphere communities, underscoring the importance of considering plasmid context when evaluating plastisphere resistomes.
Plastic pollution represents far more than an environmental crisis-it serves as the gateway to a global meta-crisis encompassing climate change, hyper-consumption, biodiversity loss, and profound threats to human health. This letter examines plastic's role as both catalyst and symptom of unsustainable global systems, arguing that addressing the plastic crisis provides a roadmap for broader systemic transformation. Since mass production began in the 1950s, humanity has produced over 10 billion tonnes of plastic, with annual waste now reaching 400 million metric tonnes. Production is forecast to triple within 25 years, consuming one-fifth of the global carbon budget, with 90% of emissions occurring during production. Plastics now permeate the human body. Over 16,000 chemicals are potentially present in plastics, with only 6% globally regulated. Recent research estimates 13% of cardiovascular deaths in individuals aged 55-64 are attributable to phthalates, while microplastics accelerate cancer development. Solutions require comprehensive legislative frameworks creating financial risk and accountability. The Health Scientists' Global Plastics Treaty, produced by the Plastic Health Council, proposes a roadmap to change, with measures such as a 70% reduction in virgin plastic production by 2040 and elimination of chemicals of concern. Ultimately, the plastic crisis offers humanity a tangible challenge that could catalyse essential systemic change toward regenerative systems working within planetary boundaries.
As governments prepare for the decisive round of negotiations for the global plastics treaty in August 2025, trade remains a largely overlooked yet indispensable element in shaping an effective and equitable agreement. We argue that trade, spanning plastic feedstocks, resins, products, and waste, forms the connective tissue of the plastics economy and that it must be embedded in the treaty’s architecture. Drawing on global trade data, country cases, and precedent from multilateral environmental agreements, we demonstrate how trade both drives plastic pollution and can serve as a lever for circularity and sustainability. We outline the asymmetries in global plastics trade and their implications for equity and implementation, especially for small and import-dependent states. The article proposes a suite of actionable recommendations for INC-5.2, including trade-related transparency, WTO-aligned treaty provisions, and dedicated capacity-building support. By integrating trade governance into the plastics treaty, negotiators can build an agreement that is both environmentally ambitious and structurally sound.
Festivities, holidays and celebrations are often associated with unsustainability and high environmental impact. Examples include unsustainable overconsumption and waste during Christmas, Ramadan and during the Chinese New Years celebrations among many others. Microplastics (i.e., plastic fragments 5 mm) have also become a significant environmental concern during these periods. Common non-essential festive items like glitter, confetti, balloons and other decorations along with glitter used in cosmetic products contribute to microplastic pollution, potentially causing adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Despite overwhelming evidence of the adverse impacts of microplastics on human and environmental health, how non-essential microplastics used in cosmetics, festival and holiday decorations will be addressed within the Global Plastics Treaty remains unclear. Although the draft Global Plastics Treaty text includes non-essential plastic items such as balloons and rinse-off microbeads in cosmetics, no other decorative or aesthetic use of microplastics have been included. Whilst the inclusions of non-essential plastics are commendable, we argue that further inclusions be made for non-essential microplastics used in cosmetics, festival and holiday decorations within the Global Plastics Treaty.
An ambitious global plastics treaty is urgently needed to decrease soil pollution from microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), originating both from intentional uses of agricultural plastics and from composts and sludges applied to soils, contaminated due to the increasing plastic production and use. The current narrative, biased by vested interests, overemphasizes short-term benefits of agricultural plastics, while ignoring their adverse effects. MNPs disturb invertebrate and pollinator behavior, affect nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, decrease photosynthesis and plant growth, contribute to water and air pollution and may contaminate plants, crops and livestock. The thousands of chemicals contained in conventional and biodegradable or biobased plastics can leach into soil. By threatening ecosystem functioning and terrestrial food production, plastic pollution represents a challenge for food safety and human health and is a long-term threat to food security. To protect soils from plastic pollution, a strong global treaty is needed, with provisions on plastic production reduction, product design and regulation of plastic chemicals. Plastics' essentiality, sustainability and safety criteria are needed in the agriculture sector - where plastics are used unsustainably and not all are essential - and in all sectors along the food production value chain (food processing, packaging).
Plastic pollution poses a critical and escalating threat to human health across the full life cycle of plastics. Scientific evidence links exposure to plastics and associated pollution to a range of adverse health outcomes. Vulnerable populations, particularly those in informal settlements and low-resource settings, bear disproportionate health burdens. The UN Global Plastics Treaty presents a vital opportunity to embed human health protection at its core. To be effective, the treaty must apply the precautionary principle, recognise and address health impacts across the full plastics life cycle, and phase out the most harmful plastic products and chemicals. The treaty must be adaptable to emerging scientific evidence, and inclusive of equity and human rights to protect present and future generations. Inclusion of a dedicated health article, alongside specific health considerations across a number of key provisions in the treaty text, and consideration of the right to health throughout all aspects of the treaty, will be essential for delivering on the treaty's objective to protect human health and the environment from plastic pollution.
The present study aimed to elucidate the extent of microplastic (MP) contamination in the Guandu River basin. Samples were collected from surface waters using a Manta trawl at 11 sites in two seasonal periods. MPs abundance was 6.1 +/- 4.9 particles m(-3) in the cold-dry season, and 2.3 +/- 1.1 particles m(-3) in the warm-rainy season. Four shapes and 12 colors were identified, indicating a high degree of particle diversity. Fragments were the most common, followed by fibers. The frequent colors were black, blue and transparent. Eleven plastic polymers were identified using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis; the dominant ones were polyethylene and polypropylene. Artificial cellulose particles (including the semisynthetic polymer rayon) were also detected in high relative abundance. No significant difference in MP abundance was found between seasons and limnic conditions. There was a significant trend toward higher abundance of MPs near areas with greater urban influence and lower abundance in reservoirs surrounded by less urbanized areas (upstream river). Therefore, MPs appeared to be influenced by land use and occupation, with higher abundance in more urbanized areas, suggesting an urban-rural effect.
This perspective article invites readers to (re)imagine research as a means of practicing right relations with the places we inhabit and descend from. We anchor our work in a Kanaka Hawai'i, a Native Hawaiian cosmogeny and epistemology, one that recognizes all life as kin. We begin with the central question, "Where have the sand turtles gone?" to explore how a Kanaka Hawai'i-informed perspective, grounded in the genealogical creation chant, ke Kumulipo, can guide plastics research in Hawai'i. We elaborate this perspective through a mo'olelo, a story of a collaboration between a Kanaka Hawai'i cultural practitioner and a French and Swedish plastics researcher along the shores of Kapua, Waim & amacr;nalo. By tracing the transformation of a conventional scientific study, we aim to grow entry points for research that is accountable to the place and the genealogical descendants of those specific lands, who have inherited the privilege and responsibility to steward them. We conclude by discussing how this perspective might offer critical insights for global environmental policy, such as the UN Plastic Treaty, urging a shift from treating Indigenous Peoples as stakeholders to honoring them as rights-holders. Ultimately, this work is a call to research in ways that honor the original peoples of the places where we are blessed to live, work, and research, particularly in ways that amplify the knowledge traditions and lifeways birthed from those specific lands. We write this piece for and with Waim & amacr;nalo as a living, reciprocal co-author. We hope the experiences shared here return to and strengthen those places and people.
In areas where waste management is inadequate, the welfare of free-roaming animals can be significantly affected by the ingestion of plastic waste, potentially impacting human livelihoods and health. However, the effect of plastic pollution on terrestrial animals is poorly understood. Using a combination of methodologies from animal behaviour, environmental and social sciences, this study assesses the effects of plastic pollution on donkeys, cattle and their owners in Kenya. Behavioural observations suggested that donkeys and cattle preferentially fed at waste sites, where 1 in every 10-20 items ingested were plastic. Faecal sampling also showed much higher concentrations of microplastics than those reported in previous studies of farmed cattle and significantly higher concentrations in the faeces of donkeys and cattle grazing at waste sites compared to rural areas. Survey data showed that the majority of livestock owners believed that plastic pollution was a problem, and nearly a third of local residents had witnessed an animal becoming ill following plastic ingestion, reporting mortality rates of 78%. Triangulating data from multiple methods highlights the risks terrestrial plastic pollution poses to domestic animals, demonstrating the need for interdisciplinary projects that tackle this important issue by addressing the interconnectedness of human behaviour, animal welfare and environmental health.
