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Microfibers in the ocean: are they all made of plastic?
Summary
This science communication piece highlights that the vast majority of tiny fibres found in ocean samples are actually natural materials like cotton and wool, not plastic — challenging widespread assumptions in microplastic research. The author argues that better fibre characterisation is needed to accurately assess the plastic component of textile pollution.
Many people are now aware of the danger microplastics pose to oceanic wildlife. However, textile fibers released from fabrics we use every day have been overlooked until recently. The vast majority of these tiny thread-like particles - which have long been assumed to be plastic - are actually natural fibers like cotton and wool. - submission by Giuseppe Suaria