These materials are widely used in textiles and products such as clothing, wet wipes, and menstrual products, promoted for their reduced environmental impact. However, bio-based fibers, like conventional plastics, release microfibers into the environment through processes like washing, sewage sludge application as fertilizer, and everyday wear.
While bio-based product production and usage are rising globally, there is limited research on the ecological effects of these fibers. Addressing this gap, a new study published in *Environmental Science and Technology* evaluated the impacts of conventional polyester fibers and bio-based fibers - specifically viscose and lyocell - on earthworms, which play a crucial role in maintaining soil health worldwide.
The study revealed that under high concentrations, polyester fibers caused a 30% mortality rate in earthworms after 72 hours. In contrast, earthworms exposed to lyocell and viscose fibers experienced significantly higher mortality rates, with up to 60% and 80% fatalities, respectively.
In a second experiment with lower, environmentally relevant concentrations, earthworms in soils containing viscose fibers displayed reduced reproduction compared to those exposed to polyester. Earthworms exposed to lyocell fibers showed reduced growth and increased burrowing rates, highlighting varied adverse effects from bio-based fibers.
Researchers assert that these findings emphasize the complexity of global efforts to mitigate microplastic pollution and underline the importance of evaluating new alternative materials before widespread release into the environment.
This research, conducted under the BIO-PLASTIC-RISK project and funded by GPB 2.6 million from the Natural Environmental Research Council, was led by the University of Plymouth and the University of Bath.
Dr. Winnie Courtene-Jones, the study's lead author and Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University, stated, "Over 320,000 tonnes of bio-based and biodegradable fibres were produced globally in 2022 and research shows that substantial quantities of that will end up in the environment.
"However, evidence of their ecological impacts has been lacking. Our study has shown that bio-based fibres have a range of adverse effects on earthworms - animals which are critical to the functioning of the environment. It highlights the importance of gathering further evidence before alternatives to conventional plastics are made available even more widely."
This study follows earlier research from 2024, which found that biodegradable teabag materials increased earthworm mortality by up to 15% and negatively affected reproduction.
The study's release comes shortly before the final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, set to take place in Busan, South Korea. Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, a senior author of the study and Head of the University of Plymouth's International Marine Litter Research Unit, will attend these discussions with global policymakers and scientists. He commented, "It is clear that along with recycling and re-use, tackling plastic pollution will require a reduction in the quantities of plastics used and produced.
"There is increasing interest in alternative materials that could be used as substitutes for plastic, but this publication further emphasises the importance of testing new innovations in relevant environmental settings prior to widescale adoption. I firmly believe it is possible to tackle the plastic pollution crisis, but independent scientific evidence will be critical in helping us avoid unintended consequences as we look for solutions."
Research Report:Are bio-based microfibres less harmful than conventional plastic microfibres: Evidence from earthworms
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