We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of synthetic and natural microfibers on Daphnia magna–Are they dependent on microfiber type?
Summary
Researchers compared the effects of synthetic microfibers (polyester and polypropylene) and natural microfibers (lyocell) on the water flea Daphnia magna. The study found that even natural microfibers caused significant harm, including reduced gut microvilli length, impaired nutrient absorption, growth inhibition, and mortality, confirming that microfiber toxicity is not limited to synthetic materials.
Microfibers, which are sourced from textiles and some products from the fishery industry, are the biggest contributors to microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. In addition to these synthetic microfibers, naturally derived microfibers can also be found in aquatic environments. However, there are limited studies on the ecotoxicity of natural microfibers. To shed light on this topic, this study assessed and compared the toxicity of natural and synthetic microfibers on Daphnia magna, using lyocell, polyester (PET) and polypropylene (PP) microfibers. To evaluate the adverse effect of microfibers on D. magna, after effects including depuration, food intake, growth, mortality, and immobilization rate were continually observed for up to 96 h after the initial 48 h of exposure to the microfibers. Immobilization rate decreased in the following order: PP, PET, and lyocell. However, the depuration of microfibers in the lyocell and PET treatment groups was similar, with higher mortality rates than in the PP treatment group. Furthermore, despite the high rates of food intake following exposure, the lyocell and PET exposed groups exhibited growth inhibition during the same period. This growth inhibition corresponded with, and was likely due to, reductions in the length of gut microvilli, probably an expression of gut damage, which is believed to have reduced nutrient absorption in the affected individuals. Based on the results of this study, it was confirmed that even natural microfibers, and not just synthetic microfibers, can have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. This study confirmed not only the toxicity of microfibers, but also the consequences of their after effects. These results could be the basis for future research on the after effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms and provide directions for further microplastic ecotoxicity studies.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Multi-level approach to investigate sublethal effects caused by synthetic and natural microfibers on Daphnia magna
Researchers exposed freshwater organisms including amphipods and oligochaetes to synthetic and natural microfibers at multiple levels of biological organization, finding that both fiber types caused sublethal physiological and behavioral effects, with synthetic fibers generally producing greater harm.
Acute toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers towards Daphnia magna: Influence of fiber type and morphology
Researchers tested the toxicity of natural and synthetic clothing fibers on small freshwater organisms (Daphnia magna) and found that nylon microfibers were acutely toxic, while natural fibers like cotton and silk caused no significant harm. Smoother fibers were more toxic than frayed ones, and the actual ingestion of fibers mattered more than how many were present in the water. These findings are important because textile fibers make up a large portion of microplastics in waterways and can enter the human food chain through contaminated aquatic organisms.
Synthetic and natural microfibers induce gut damage in the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana
Researchers exposed brine shrimp to polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and natural lyocell microfibers and assessed mortality and gut damage. The study found that all three fiber types caused gut damage regardless of polymer origin, with polyethylene terephthalate fibers inducing the highest mortality, suggesting that the physical shape of microfibers may be as important as their chemical composition in causing harm to aquatic organisms.
Difference in sensitivity of Daphnia magna to pristine and aged microplastic fibers
Researchers compared the acute and chronic toxicity of pristine versus UV-aged polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, and polyester microplastic fibers on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, also testing natural wool and cellulose fibers as references. Aged plastic fibers showed different toxicity profiles than unaged fibers, with effects on survival, reproduction, growth, and oxygen consumption.
Influence of synthetic and natural microfibers on the growth, substance exchange, energy accumulation, and oxidative stress of field-collected microalgae compared with microplastic fragment
Researchers tested how synthetic microfibers from plastics like PET and polypropylene affect freshwater algae compared to natural fibers like cotton and wool. The synthetic fibers inhibited algae growth more than natural fibers and caused oxidative damage to the cells, with fiber-shaped particles being more harmful than fragments of the same material. Since algae form the base of aquatic food chains, damage to them from microplastic fibers could ripple through ecosystems and affect the fish and water that humans depend on.