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.

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.

Coastal fisheries are central to Pacific Island nutrition, livelihoods and cultural identity, yet growing microplastic contamination threatens food security and public health. This study integrates fishers’ knowledge of locally important coastal fish species with empirical measurements of microplastic loads to identify priority taxa for monitoring across Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Interviews with 110 fishers documented commonly caught species, and the number of times each taxon was reported was calculated. Family-level catch data and mean microplastic loads were each standardised between 0 and 1 to generate Catch and Microplastic Scores, which were multiplied to create an Exposure Index reflecting both social relevance and contamination levels. Regionally, Lethrinidae and Scombridae had the highest Exposure Index values, while Acanthuridae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae and Serranidae emerged as country-specific priorities. Gendered fishing patterns revealed differences in catch, influencing potential exposure pathways and highlighting the need for gender-disaggregated data in future assessments. This approach of combining local knowledge with contamination studies offers a replicable, regionally-grounded method for identifying key indicator species for future microplastic monitoring. Species within the Lethrinidae family, particularly Lethrinus harak, stand out as regional priorities because of their importance to subsistence and artisanal fisheries, exposure to microplastics and consistent occurrence across the region.

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 Smøla 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 μm 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 ~27,000 MPs/m2/year. A significant positive correlation (ρSpearman = 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.

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.

Plastic pellets (nurdles) are a major component of marine pollutants, causing physical and chemical harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Ingestion by seabirds and other species is widespread and linked to serious health effects. Additionally, pellets transport hazardous and persistent chemicals across ocean basins and into the food chain. Despite their known environmental impacts, regulatory controls on pellet transport remain insufficient. This commentary synthesizes current scientific evidence on the hazards posed by plastic pellets and argues for their classification as harmful substances and/or environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment) under the International Maritime Organization. Such classification would enable stronger international measures to minimize pellet pollution at sea.

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.

In this article, a cross-disciplinary approach is used to create an overarching theory of how and in what ways plastics are forming an archaeological record. By drawing on foundational archaeological research into those cultural and natural site formation processes that shape the archaeological record, a new theory of site formation in the contemporary ‘Plastic Age’ is presented. This theory is also relevant for predicting future archaeological records. In both cases, the type fossils are not stone, metal, or ceramic, but plastic, creating an archaeological record that is resilient and toxic, as well as ubiquitous. Over time, this contemporary archaeological record is increasing exponentially in overall size, while its component parts (the artefacts) continually break down, eventually to a nanoscale. This presents a contradiction: how society should view an archaeological record that represents a valuable archive documenting activities and behaviours at a crucial time in human history, while at the same time being a dangerous contaminant, threatening planetary health. In conclusion, the article argues the need to reassess what is meant by ‘the archaeological record’ and how it is formed in the Plastic Age—for example, by working more across disciplines to better understand what this archive is telling us about ourselves and about the future.

Policy making in areas of scientific uncertainty may be shaped by the public’s stated preferences (SP). SP surveys provide respondents with information about the scenario, typically from expert sources. Here, we tested whether respondents’ pre-existing confidence in the ability of experts in general to provide reliable information was associated with (a) status quo bias, (b) response certainty and (c) willingness to pay (WTP) estimates. Using 670 responses to a 2020 choice experiment on microplastic restrictions in the UK, we show that being ex ante more confident was significantly related to less frequent status quo choices and higher response certainty. However, we only observed differences in mean WTP for our ‘microplastics released’ attribute. Our findings suggest that confidence in expert-provided information shapes how respondents engage with SP surveys, particularly in contexts of scientific uncertainty. Future work to further understand determinants and consequences of perceived expert trustworthiness would be insightful.

Microplastic release in Antarctica is an issue of increasing concern, despite the limited human presence in the region. This study estimates the annual release of microplastics from the wastewaters of scientific facilities through the use of personal care products and laundering. Furthermore, it analyses the most cost-efficient policy interventions to target this pollution. The study has estimated a potential release of 238 kg per year, which is negligible on a continental scale but could have substantial local environmental impacts. A comprehensive cost-efficiency analysis demonstrates that microplastic release can be effectively mitigated through low-cost preventative measures, such as installing washing machine filters and banning hygiene products containing microbeads. Furthermore, the implementation of wastewater treatment systems is suggested as a crucial and long-term cost-effective solution for treating wastewater effluent and removing other pollutants from the Antarctic region. These results provide a framework to inform policy decisions on microplastic release in Antarctica and lay the foundation for improved environmental protection strategies in this sensitive region.

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.

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.

The escalating presence of microplastics (<5 mm) in drinking water presents urgent environmental and health challenges, yet the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Global Plastics Treaty draft texts, including UNEP/PP/INC.5/4 and the Chair’s Text, lack robust provisions to address this issue. This Letter to the Editor analyzes deficiencies in the treaty’s approach, identifying critical gaps in standardized terminology, globally consistent monitoring methodologies, comprehensive source control and enforceable international regulations. Leveraging insights from California’s innovative microplastics monitoring framework, which employs spectroscopy-based detection and provisional health thresholds, we highlight scalable solutions for global policy. Key obstacles include technological disparities, economic reliance on plastic production, limited toxicological data and geopolitical barriers to unified action. We propose targeted strategies for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), including adopting precise microplastics definitions, establishing universal detection protocols, regulating both primary and secondary microplastic sources and supporting research and capacity-building in low-resource regions. These measures aim to enhance the treaty’s ability to mitigate microplastic pollution in drinking water, fostering science-driven global cooperation to protect ecosystems and public health.

Reducing plastic pollution of the Antarctic environment is a priority for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP). Polyester flags mounted on bamboo poles are commonly used by governmental and tourism operators as markers of safe travel routes, scientific equipment and depots in snow-covered areas. Polar environmental conditions can rapidly degrade polyester flags, resulting in plastic release into the environment. This study aimed to quantify the degree of polyester flag degradation and investigate alternative, less polluting flag types. Pre-weighed flags of four types - standard polyester, hemmed polyester, organic cotton canvas and Ventile${}^\circledR $ (a tight-weave cotton fabric) - were deployed close to Rothera Research Station, Antarctic Peninsula, from February 2023 to January 2024, after which any changes in weight were recorded. On average, each standard polyester flag lost 25.5% (± standard error (SE) 0.8) of its weight, equating to the release of 8.3 g of plastic into the environment; however, hemming the flag reduced this loss to 13.3% (± SE 3.7). Ventile${}^\circledR $ was almost as durable as unhemmed polyester (loss of 26.9% (± SE 3.8)), whereas cotton canvas was the least durable (loss of 44.1% (± SE 4.3)). Switching from standard polyester to Ventile${}^\circledR $ flags would prevent the annual release of > 8.3 kg of plastic into the environment around Rothera Research Station, and potentially ~300 kg across all Antarctic operator activities. This is a conservative estimate compared to a potential additional 800 kg of plastic that could be lost to the environment due a high proportion of deployed flags not being recovered. Further investigations to identify cost-effective sustainable flag materials are recommended to comply with ATCM and COMNAP recommendations concerning plastic management in Antarctica.

Plastic pollution is recognised as one of this century’s most significant environmental challenges and has the characteristics of a super wicked problem. Though researchers and governments around the globe are coming up with promising technological interventions, awareness among citizens and stringent policies are the need of the hour to tackle this issue. A few countries have issued postage stamps and postal materials showcasing the various dimensions of plastic pollution. Historically, stamps depicted every progress, problem and various milestones of humanity spanning multiple fields. We contend that the plastic pollution problems and impact should be depicted through postage stamps from all countries. Through this feat, the message of the need for sustainable usage of plastics for the common good of all species can be spread by showcasing various dimensions of the sustainability of plastic usage in postage materials. This article discusses the rise of plastic pollution, its emerging impacts, and contemporary issues and mitigation strategies through postage stamps and materials. Philately can be a medium for providing environmental awareness, considering the case of plastic pollution. It can be a strong driver to promote consciousness regarding various environmental problems among students undergoing multiple levels of education and the general public.

Disinfection is a standard water treatment process. Plastics are found in various components of water infrastructure and the presence of microplastics in the water cycle raises environmental and human health concerns. Thus, this research investigated the physicochemical impacts of chlorination and chloramination on seven types of virgin and biofouled polymers (125–250 μm) under three disinfectant doses, three pH conditions in potable and recycled water. Our results indicated that both chlorination and chloramination impacted the seven polymers, with polypropylene (PP), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyamide (PA) being most impacted, signalling these as polymers of concern. Surface morphological changes were observed. FTIR spectra revealed cleavage of bonds and formation of carbonyl groups indicating degradation. While disinfection is helpful for treating pathogenic microorganisms, the risks of generating microplastics below detection limits are highlighted. Microplastics in disinfected water can lead to biofilm formation, increased adsorption of contaminants and disinfection by-products, compromising water quality and posing challenges for treatment. This research provides valuable insights into the physicochemical impacts of chlorination and chloramination on polymers, enhancing our understanding of their behaviour and fate in water and wastewater environments. While additional ecotoxicological research is needed to fully understand health implications, our study emphasizes the need for targeted intervention strategies of high-use polymers of concern.

Plastic pollution is a global issue, with microplastics gaining international attention from Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the government, the public, media and academia; microplastics are a growing source of concern. This research article aims to explore the Cape Town beachgoers’ general knowledge and understanding of microplastic pollution in terms of its potential effects on the environment and human health. Using a questionnaire, the study was conducted at Muizenberg and Lagoon Beach, and involved participants belonging to the age group of <18–64 years. A sampling technique known as convenience sampling was used. This technique allowed individuals to be selected based on their willingness to be part of the sample and their availability; it allowed participants with no obvious knowledge of microplastics to take part. The data were recorded in Excel and analysed with the Statistical Package Social Sciences. Although the public was relatively familiar with microplastics at the time of the study, 40% of the participants from Muizenberg Beach did not know what microplastics are, while 60% knew. In Lagoon Beach, 26.67% did not know what microplastics are, while 73.33% did. Environmental education and the prohibition of microplastics were identified by the majority of respondents as necessary measures for reducing microplastic pollution and further research was suggested, with some of the respondents believing that the lack of strict regulations on plastic use was the greatest difficulty in reducing the pollution from microplastics.

This work provides a comprehensive examination of microplastic air pollution in Antarctica. Due to atmospheric microplastics’ emerging importance, analytical procedures and health effects are discussed. Microplastic pollution poses an increasing threat to the unique and delicate Antarctic ecosystem, potentially triggering harmful consequences not only for the local ecosystem and fauna, but also for human health and well-being, given the severe implications of microplastic pollution for global scenarios such as imminent worldwide warming and the melting of polar ice. Numerous investigations have now exposed the extent of microplastic pollution in the Antarctic and the prevalence of both nano- and microplastics in this region, a significant storehouse of the planet’s freshwater. This work also highlights the challenges of assessing the hazards that microplastics, particularly the nanoscale variants, may pose to human health and life maintenance. The results of this work suggest that global mechanisms of microplastic pollution mitigation are critical to microplastic transportation to the Antarctic reaches. This overview provides a better understanding of microplastic pollution in Antarctica while highlighting the urgency of more comprehensive research in this area to elucidate more precisely the short-, medium- and long-term effects of the arrival of these emerging contaminants in the Antarctic.