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Anthropogenic fibers in the Mediterranean sea: Methods and monitoring of an overlooked category of microparticles in the water column.
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Researchers evaluated methods for monitoring anthropogenic fibers, including synthetic and natural types, in the Mediterranean Sea water column, comparing two sampling approaches and highlighting that current methods are underdeveloped for capturing this overlooked category of microparticles.
Anthropogenic particles (APs) are widespread in the marine environment, but knowledge gaps remain regarding anthropogenic fibers. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of APs, including natural and synthetic fibers, in the water column. A literature review on fibers in Mediterranean seawater revealed that current sampling methods are underdeveloped. Two sampling methods were compared to determine the best approach for collecting fibers: a new in-situ pump (20 μm mesh filter) and a WP2 plankton net (200 μm). The in-situ pump was the most effective method and was applied in three areas of the Western Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Asinara, Capraia Island, Capo Carbonara). The predominant APs, characterized by μFTIR, were cellulose and polyester fibers, reflecting the global textile fiber production. The Asinara area was the most impacted area (average of 393.7 items/m). This study highlights the ubiquitous presence of fibers in the water column and underscores the need for further investigation of potential impacts on marine biota.
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Global patterns of microfiber contamination in the marine environment were reviewed, documenting that synthetic and non-synthetic fibers are found in all major ocean basins, with fibers being the most common microplastic type along shorelines. The review highlights that non-synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers are frequently overlooked in monitoring despite being a significant component of total microfiber pollution.
Occurrence of Natural and Synthetic Micro-Fibers in the Mediterranean Sea: A Review
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This review compiled data on natural and synthetic microfibers in the Mediterranean Sea, finding that cellulosic and regenerated natural fibers often outnumber synthetic plastic fibers at many sampling sites, yet natural fibers are excluded from most microplastic definitions. The authors argued that natural fibers should be included in microplastic monitoring frameworks given their abundance and potential ecological effects.
Assessment of Microplastics in the Environment – Fibres: the Disregarded Twin?
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This paper argues that synthetic fibers are systematically underestimated in environmental microplastic monitoring because they are often excluded from sampling protocols. Since synthetic textiles are ubiquitous and shed fibers through washing and wear, ignoring fibers means current assessments substantially undercount total microplastic environmental pollution.
Microfibers in oceanic surface waters: A global characterization
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A global analysis of 916 seawater samples from six ocean basins characterized microfibers as ubiquitous contaminants, finding that many are not synthetic textiles but natural or semi-synthetic materials, questioning the assumption that all environmental fibers are microplastic.
Sampling microfibres at the sea surface: The effects of mesh size, sample volume and water depth
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Researchers examined how mesh size, sample volume, and water depth affect microfibre sampling at the sea surface, finding that fibre density increased substantially as mesh size decreased from 63 to 20 micrometres, highlighting significant underestimation in traditional 300-500 micrometer net surveys.
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