The Occurrence of Natural and Synthetic Fibers in the Marine Environment

Textile microfibers are the most commonly reported type of anthropogenic particle found by microplastic pollution surveys around the globe, often representing 80–90% of all particle counts. Significant concentrations of this emerging pollutant have been detected in most marine ecosystems surveyed to date, including sea ice, deep sea sediments, surface and subsurface waters, and coastal environments. Recent studies revealed the presence of microfibers in the digestive systems of numerous marine organisms, including seabirds, deep-sea crustaceans, and commercial fish species, as well as in both wet and dry atmospheric deposition samples. Ingestion of microfibers has been linked to negative health effects in marine invertebrates, but there is currently no evidence of harm to wild creatures exposed to environmentally relevant fiber concentrations. At the same time, we still have a very limited understanding of how they affect wild populations. Additionally, a wide range of chemicals, such as dyes, additives, and flame retardants, are employed in the manufacture of both natural and synthetic textiles, raising questions regarding the function of fibers as vectors of dangerous substances in the marine environment. This chapter aims to provide state-of-the-art information on the sources, transport, degradation, uptake, toxicity, and persistence of synthetic and natural fibers in the marine environment. Special consideration is given to sampling and analytical methods as well as to future areas for potential research.