2.05 - Ever-Present but Unknown Consequences: Sources, Fate and Transport, and Effects of Microfiber Pollution

Description

Commonly released from textiles, fishing gear, and cigarette butt filters, microfibers are consistently the most prevalent microplastic morphology across environmental samples. Despite their ubiquity in various aquatic and terrestrial compartments, much less is known about the source breakdown, toxicity and effects of these anthropogenic particles. Their shape, small diameter-to-length ratio, and short length (up to 5 mm) allow for easy transport and increased susceptibility for inhalation, ingestion, translocation, and accumulation versus traditional microplastic fragments/spheres. Microfibers are variable in polymer composition and can include synthetic/plastic fibers, semi-synthetic fibers/cellulosic, and treated natural fibers. Due to their high surface area to volume ratio, they are particularly prone to the adsorption of persistent organic pollutants and chemical additives, which may influence their toxicity within organisms and their ecosystems. The effects of the physical presence of microfibers and associated chemical additives and dyes are just now being researched to understand their environmental impacts. While much research has been conducted on microplastics as a size class of plastic pollutant, this session will explore the current state of knowledge surrounding microfiber pollution specifically. We encourage submissions from experts across scientific, regulatory, and industry domains to contribute to a robust dialogue on this pressing issue. Research that quantifies harms and damages to wildlife and habitat from exposure to microfibers will be a primary focus, including varying exposure timescales (acute vs chronic) and levels of biological organization. Emphasis will also be placed on identifying sources (i.e. sectors or activities of origin, means of release, mechanisms for entering the environment) and understanding fate and transport (i.e. movement through aquatic food webs and across environmental matrices, spatiotemporal trends). We aim to advance the state of knowledge to support the mitigation of environmental and societal consequences of microfiber pollution.