Clothes Encounters of the Microfibre Kind

The production and use of textiles generate natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic fibres that contribute to environmental contamination. The diverse fibre types used in textile production mean that these fibres can have an array of effects on organisms and ecosystems, particularly as emerging evidence indicates that fibres may be more toxic to exposed organisms than other microplastic shapes. Even bioplastics, which are designed to reduce waste due to their biodegradation capacity, are often disposed of in a way that does not allow them to biodegrade. Both synthetic and bioplastic fibres can adhere to or be taken up and internalized by organisms, leading to biological effects at the cellular to organismal levels, with potential ecological effects on populations and communities. Effects of microfibre exposure vary by fibre type, environmental degradation, and the organism exposed, though research indicates that most species uptake fibres and many experience negative effects when exposed to synthetic and bio-based plastics. Though organisms may also uptake natural fibres, there is little research on how these fibres affect organisms in the environment. We explore the effects of various microfibre types (ranging in size from 100μm to 6mm, based on laboratory research) on biota – from the subcellular to population levels, as reported in peer-reviewed laboratory studies. We broadly categorize materials as synthetic and semi-synthetic, bioplastics, and natural fibres and look across taxonomic groups representing diverse ecosystem types, and discuss future research needs.