Recent publications

This section is updated regularly. For a list of all publications please check below

(2026) Fashion fades, microplastics are eternal: a critical systematic literature review to assess microplastic fibre colours in environmental samples

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern that requires assessment of a range of parameters. Colour remains a largely overlooked parameter in environmental monitoring, yet a potentially important one from a biological perspective. This systematic review covers 80 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2020, and addresses microplastic fibres colours across diverse environmental compartments: air, water, sediment and biota. Our analysis reveals that transparent/translucent (T&T), blue, black, and white fibres are the most frequently reported colours globally, with notable variation across environmental compartments and geographical regions. Blue fibres were predominant in biota (32.8%) and water (28.3%), while T&T fibres were prevalent in sediments (35.2%), and yellow fibres in air (27.4%). Europe and Asia showed the highest colour variability. Spatial patterns emerged with blue fibres more commonly reported in North and South America and Oceania, and red and green fibres being predominant in the African continent. No link was found between fashion colour trends and fibre colours in the environment. Our findings highlight data gaps in methodologies and reporting, particularly in distinguishing between synthetic and natural fibres. Given the relevance of colour in ecological interactions and in pollutants traceability, employing standardised colour categorisation methodologies can improve the reliability of environmental monitoring efforts.

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(2026) Investigating the driving factors of marine litter and microplastic accumulation on beaches in the West of Ireland

Marine litter (ML) and microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern threatening coastal ecosystems. This preliminary study assessed the accumulation of ML and MPs at two beaches (Fanore and Silverstrand beaches) on the West coast of Ireland, over three consecutive days in July 2024. Sampling was conducted along the spring and lower high tide lines (AC1 and AC2) and outside the accumulation area (OAC), following adapted OSPAR guidelines for marine litter. Marine litter items were categorised by type and size, while MPs were extracted from sediments and analysed using visual inspection and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Fanore consistently exhibited higher ML and MP accumulation compared to Silverstrand. While day variations in litter abundance were observed, statistical tests showed no statistical significant differences in total ML abundance or type distribution between beaches. Despite this, Fanore revealed a 48 % increase in ML accumulation overall. Microplastic concentrations were also significantly higher at Fanore, particularly in AC2. Ropes, fragments and fibres were the dominant litter and MP types, suggesting marine based-sources. Variability in MP concentrations, particularly at Fanore, reflects the influence of local geomorphology and hydrodynamics playing a more relevant role in accumulation. These preliminary findings underscore the need to assess accumulation rates while monitoring ML and MPs, particularly when reporting data for descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

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(2026) From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean: what factors shape diatom diversity in the plastisphere

Plastic substrates are ubiquitously colonized by complex microbiomes, referred to as the plastisphere. Diatoms, despite being considered the main autotrophic taxa and key early colonizers involved in biofilms, currently remain poorly studied compared to other microbes plastic pieces were immersed in coastal systems at six locations across five countries in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial and seasonal dynamics of plastic-attached diatom communities were investigated by incubating polyethylene (HDPE) at all sites for 84 days. Temporal dynamics at each season were also investigated using HDPE, polypropylene, and polystyrene in Toulon only (North-Western Mediterranean Sea). Using amplicon sequencing of the rbcL gene, geographic location appears to be the primary driver of diatom diversity, followed by season and incubation time, with intra-site variations always smaller than those between sites. Intra-site variations were mostly due to relative abundance changes, while inter-site variations corresponded to shifts between species. Biofilms from the Atlantic shared neither species nor ASVs, whereas biofilms from the Mediterranean shared 5 species and 5% of reads. Pioneer taxa changed depending on the season, while mature taxa tended to converge irrespective of the season. Finally, the nature of conventional plastics plays a minor role in shaping the diatom community, as shown previously for heterotrophs in the plastisphere. Overall, the shaping of diatom communities in biofilms could be observed at different taxonomic levels, down to the genetic variant, highlighting the extent to which genetic divergence occurs. Finally, potential ecological consequences of diatom presence and diversity in the plastisphere are discussed.

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