1. Dataset for the review article "From plastic use in the construction and built environment to state-of-the-art circular economy solutions to combat microplastic pollution"Katja Turk, Gabriela Kalčíková, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Branka Mušič, 2026, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov Povzetek: The dataset supports the data presented in the article “From plastic use in the construction and built environment to state-of-the-art circular economy solutions to combat microplastic pollution” (https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01228-0). It consists of a single Excel worksheet compiling data on the number of published studies related to microplastics in general and to microplastics originating from the building and construction sector to illustrate the evolution of research attention.
Ključne besede: microplastics, building, construction, pollution, circular economy, mikroplastika, gradbeništvo, onesnaževanje, krožno gospodarstvo
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 06.01.2026; Ogledov: 243; Prenosov: 91
 Raziskovalni podatki (16,00 KB)
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2. Multilevel toxicity assessment of polypropylene microplastics and pyrene on mussels : DNA damage, oxidative stress, and physiological effectsTatjana Mijošek Pavin, Margareta Kračun-Kolarević, Stoimir Kolarević, Tatjana Simčič, Rajko Martinović, Oliver Bajt, Gabriela Kalčíková, Andreja Ramšak, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Despite extensive research on microplastic pollution, combined biological effects of microplastics and associated pollutants on marine invertebrates remain unclear. We present an integrative assessment of polypropylene (PP) and pyrene, individually and in co-exposure, in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussels were exposed to 1 mg L−1 PP (~40 μm) and 50 μg L−1 of pyrene for 7 and 14 days, representing a scenario relevant to highly polluted coastal areas. DNA damage increased significantly in mussels exposed to pyrene or PP alone, but remained at control levels under combined exposure, suggesting an interaction that may reduce genotoxic potential. Lipid peroxidation remained stable across treatments, despite significant changes in antioxidant enzymes. Catalase activity increased in pyrene and pyrene + PP treatments, with tissue-specific trends, indicating enhanced antioxidant protection. Glutathione S-transferase activity was stable in digestive glands but significantly inhibited in gills after seven days under PP exposure. ETS activity increased in pyrene-containing treatments after 14 days, reflecting elevated metabolic demand after prolonged exposure. Respiration rate declined under PP exposure. Heart rate recovery time after the hyposalinity test was the slowest in the pyrene + PP group, indicating compromised physiological resilience. These findings reveal interactive, tissue- and biomarker-specific effects of PP and pyrene. Their combination suggested attenuation of genotoxicity but enhanced physiological stress responses, highlighting the complexity of pollutant interactions and importance of evaluating multiple biomarkers, tissues and pollutants. Presented data provide the first ever biomarker-based evaluation of PP and pyrene co-exposure, offering novel insights into microplastic-pollutant interactions and potential ecological consequences for marine invertebrates.
Ključne besede: mussels, microplastics, PAHs, multi-biomarker approach, co-exposure
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Ogledov: 831; Prenosov: 150
 Celotno besedilo (2,94 MB)
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3. From plastic use in the construction and built environment to state-of-the-art circular economy solutions to combat microplastic pollutionKatja Turk, Gabriela Kalčíková, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Branka Mušič, 2025, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Plastics are widely used in the construction and building industry, accounting for 23.5% of European plastic consumption. They can replace traditional materials in various applications, including building insulation, piping, paints, adhesives, sealants, roofing, flooring, etc., serve as key components in various composites, and are indispensable for packaging materials and elements that facilitate the construction process itself. Despite their long lifespan, building materials inevitably degrade over time, releasing microplastics (MPs) that contribute to environmental pollution. According to some estimates, annual emissions of MPs in the European Union range from 0.7 to 1.8 Mt, with building paints identified as a dominant source, contributing between 231,000 and 863,000 tons per year. However, reported numbers vary significantly across studies, reflecting the substantial uncertainties still present in quantifying MPs. Now ubiquitous across ecosystems worldwide, MPs have become one of the most pressing concerns of the scientific community, leading to a rapid expansion of research in recent years. Yet less than 0.6% of studies focus on their presence in the construction and building sector, leaving this major industry largely overlooked. This review consolidates scattered knowledge by examining the applications of plastics in the construction and built environment and their role in microplastic generation throughout the materials' life cycle, from production and application to use and end-of-life management. It also examines MPs within the broader framework of sustainable development, particularly in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, where MPs could potentially be repurposed as secondary raw materials for new products. Particular emphasis is placed on recent research exploring the incorporation of MPs into construction materials, while highlighting state-of-the-art solutions that demonstrate their potential commercial viability. Moreover, this article raises awareness of the potential risks associated with such practices, offering authors’ critical perspective on existing research and emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of their impacts. By synthesizing the current state of knowledge, this review lays the groundwork for advancing future research, developing mitigation strategies, and fostering more sustainable material management in the construction and building sector.
Ključne besede: microplastics, building, construction, pollution, circular economy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Ogledov: 305; Prenosov: 242
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4. Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plasticsUla Putar, Aida Fazlić, Lukas Brunnbauer, Janja Novak, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Jernej Imperl, Jiří Kučerík, Petra Procházková, Stefania Federici, Rachel Hurley, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Pavlína Modlitbová, Pavel Pořízka, Jozef Kaiser, Andreas Limbeck, Gabriela Kalčíková, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: There is an increasing tendency to replace conventional agricultural plastic mulching films with biodegradable alternatives. However, while the latter biodegrade well under controlled conditions (e.g. industrial compost), their biodegradation in non-target environments (e.g. aquatic environments) is questioned and poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, microplastics derived from conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate starch blend (PBAT) mulching films were exposed to UV irradiation and subsequently tested for their ready biodegradability in an aqueous medium where changes in their characteristics were evaluated. The results showed limited biodegradation for pristine and UV-aged PE: no morphological, surface chemical or internal changes were observed. Pristine PBAT showed signs of initial biodegradation, while UV-aged PBAT biodegraded by up to 57%. New functional groups appeared on the PBAT surface after UV irradiation according to FTIR analysis and crystallinity increased after biodegradation. Elemental analysis revealed a range of metals in PE and PBAT microplastics. No changes in metal distribution analysed in microplastic after UV-aging or biodegradation were found, except that less titanium was present in PBAT after biodegradation indicating potential leaching. None of the PBAT microplastics had ecotoxic effects towards the aquatic plant Lemna minor. Pristine and UV-aged PE showed negative effects on roots, but these were not observed after biodegradation. Low biodegradation of pristine PBAT and possible leaching of metals demonstrated here raise questions about the sustainable use of biodegradable alternatives, especially when they enter non-target environments.
Ključne besede: microplastics, biodegradable plastics, aging, biodegradation, ecotoxicity, leaching
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.05.2025; Ogledov: 805; Prenosov: 532
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