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Fiber to fragment: a review of microplastics from textile industry effluents, their detection, ecological impact, and sustainable microbial biodegradation strategies
Summary
Researchers reviewed how the textile industry contributes an estimated 49–70% of microplastics entering global wastewater through synthetic fiber shedding, examining detection methods and ecological impacts, while highlighting microbial biodegradation — using bacteria and fungi in consortia — as a more sustainable removal strategy than energy-intensive physicochemical treatments.
Microplastic pollution poses a significant environmental threat. The textile industry contributes 49-70% of microplastics to global wastewater through synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. This review examines the sources, classification (by origin, shape, color, and composition), and environmental impacts of these microplastics derived from textile industries. Common microplastic shredded from textiles during their lifecycle include polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and acrylic fibers which enters the environment through water, and harm marine and terrestrial ecosystems, bioaccumulate through food chains, and potentially affect human health. Further the review also discusses textile wastewater parameters, microplastic detection and characterization techniques. While conventional physicochemical removal techniques can be energy-intensive or generate secondary pollution, microplastic fibre degradation through indigenous microbes (bacteria and fungi) alone or in consortia offers sustainable alternative to tackle microplastic pollution. Prospects include developing efficient microbial consortia, genetic engineering approaches, integrating with wastewater treatment systems, improving analytical methods, developing sustainable textile alternatives, standardized assessment protocols, stricter regulations, and enhanced public awareness to combat microplastic pollution in a sustainable and collaborative manner.