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Impact of Microfibers on the Marine Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Summary
Researchers investigated the impact of both natural and synthetic microfibers released during textile washing on the marine microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum, measuring effects on growth, photosynthesis, and cellular integrity. The study found that microfiber exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations inhibited algal growth and photosynthetic efficiency, indicating ecotoxicological risks to marine primary producers.
During each wash of textile materials, millions of natural and plastic microfibers (MFs) are discharged into wastewater due to the wear and friction generated on fabrics during the washing process [...]
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