Textile-derived microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: identification, characterizations, and effect assessment

One of the most serious long-term environmental problems is the presence of microplastics in the air and in all types of water around the world, which is constantly increasing. In addition to chronic effects on the humans, microplastics also have a negative effect on microbial communities, zooplankton, fish, birds, and aquatic macrophytes, with toxicity being influenced by the shape, size, and chemistry of the materials. Common fibrous microplastics are mostly based on polyolefins, which usually float on water due to their low density. However, in surface waters, a significant proportion of microplastics (>30%) is made up of fiber fragments released from textile products mostly made of polymers with a higher density. These microplastics include particles released from synthetic fibers and fibers based on natural polymers, which are relatively stiff and resistant to degradation. Because textile fiber microplastics have different chemical composition due to the substances used in dyeing and chemical treatment of textiles, more toxic decomposition products and much more difficult elimination from the environment can be expected. A large amount of textile fibers enters the aquatic environment during textile production and the first three washing cycles. These fibers will likely have a completely different effect on organisms than fibers released into the environment by slow weathering. There is a surprising lack of information about this phenomenon, which is why research on it is a key part of the proposed project. Currently, there is also a strong emphasis on recycling textiles, including those containing synthetic polymers. However, very little is known about the potential risks associated with the increased release of fibrous microplastics from recycled textiles. Fibrous microplastics can also be vectors for the transport of dangerous substances such as antibiotics or perfluoroalkyl chemical substances (PFAS). Then, they can be rereleased when the physical and chemical conditions of the environment change. We therefore want to pay increased attention to this issue. The project is generally focused on a comprehensive study of problems related to the occurrence of textile fiber microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. The project team on both the Czech and American sides will therefore mainly deal with: Separating fibrous microplastics from surface water and sediment samples, analyzing their occurrence, geometry, morphology, and chemical composition and determining which are textile microplastics and which microplastics are dominant. Creating fibrous microplastics (the dominant types) in the textile production process and simulating the generation of microplastics by mechanical separation. Analyzing mechanical manifestations from the creating of microplastics. Studying the adsorption/desorption of common antibiotics and PFAS in textile microplastics. Studying the specific effects of different types of textile microplastics, including fibers from recycled materials, on aquatic organisms (bacteria, green algae, aquatic macrophytes, pearl oysters, and fish). Risks assessment for the subsurface freshwater environment