Microplastic Fibre Shedding and Aquatic Impact
topic
Washing polyester fabrics releases 0.1–0.9 mg microplastic fibres per gram fabric per wash. Fibres: 100–5000 µm length, 10–20 µm diameter. Released fibres pass through WWTP (40–60% removal), discharge to rivers and oceans, where detected in marine sediments globally at 0.1–1 fibre/cm². Ingested by marine organisms (filter feeders, fish) — bioaccumulation documented. Factors increasing shedding: lower yarn tenacity, shorter fibre, warp-knit construction, higher agitation, alkaline detergent.
Role
Microplastic shedding from polyester textiles is a defining environmental problem of synthetic fibre production. Its quantification, ecological impact assessment, and mitigation strategies are central research questions in textile sustainability and environmental science.
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