Have you ever thought about where the fibers from your clothes end up? Even if you’re not swimming in the Pacific like Ben Lecomte, the clothes you’re wearing right now will eventually interact with the ocean. Scientists have discovered a new invisible threat: microfibers from our clothes are making their way into the ocean and being consumed by marine animals. This raises important questions: Do these fibers pass through their systems, or do they accumulate in their bodies, eventually ending up on our plates? These are the questions that Dimitri Deheyn and his team at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography are trying to answer as they work with The Swim expedition to study microfibers.
Unfortunately, many fish—and even humans—likely have microfibers in their systems. It’s estimated that each person may have about three to five million microfibers passing through their bodies daily. These tiny fibers are shed from synthetic materials like polyester, spandex, and nylon. They’re so abundant that filters designed to catch them have been removed from washing machines because they get clogged. As a result, these particles are released into waterways with every wash cycle.
Microfibers are incredibly small, about five microns in size or smaller, which is roughly 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Their small size allows them to adsorb contaminants, concentrating them many times more than the surrounding water. Microfibers are even smaller and carry more charge than microplastics, meaning they can travel quickly through global water and air currents, picking up more toxins or microorganisms along the way. Their tiny size also allows them to penetrate cells.
Microfibers have been found in remote locations, including the North Pole, and reports are increasing from Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia. They are present in bottled water, water fountains, and any liquid that comes into contact with water, including beverages like beer and wine. These microfibers can enter the cells of the digestive tract, raising questions about their potential effects on other tissues, respiratory health, and more.
With the help of the Seeker crew, Dimitri and his team are collecting samples of ocean water and fish flesh to investigate the impact of microfibers. Understanding where microfibers are concentrated is crucial for assessing what we breathe, eat, and drink. It is expected that major cities will have areas rich in microfibers, particularly near sewage discharge points, but the situation offshore remains unclear.
The team is not only catching fish for consumption but also collecting samples from their flesh to analyze for microfibers. To count the fibers in the samples, they use a blacklight, as microfibers are fluorescent. A program has been developed to recognize microfibers based on their shape, length, and spectral characteristics, using image analysis similar to facial recognition software.
Once microfibers can be mapped, Dimitri’s team will test how these synthetic particles could impact human health by examining light production in marine species as a potential indicator. Organisms in the ocean that produce light tend to produce less when they are not well, and this can be correlated with the health of their nervous systems. If the light does not follow a certain pattern, it may indicate neurotoxicity, providing insights into potential impacts on our own nervous systems.
Dimitri envisions a positive future where we learn from nature, embracing the concept of biomimicry to create clothing that is fully reintegrated into the environment. We are part of nature and a closed system, with water and food flowing through us, meaning that any pollution we generate will eventually affect us as well.
For more updates on Ben Lecomte’s journey and the science happening onboard Seeker, visit seeker.com/theswim. You can track his progress in real time and watch more videos about the expedition. Don’t forget to subscribe for the next episode. Thanks for reading!
Create a campaign to raise awareness about the impact of microfibers on the ocean. Design posters, social media posts, or a short video to educate your peers about how microfibers enter the ocean and their effects on marine life and human health.
Conduct an experiment to measure the amount of microfibers released during a typical laundry cycle. Use a filter to capture fibers from the washing machine’s wastewater and analyze the results. Discuss ways to reduce microfiber pollution from laundry.
Research the presence of microfibers in different parts of the world. Create a map showing the concentration of microfibers in various regions and discuss the factors contributing to these patterns. Present your findings to the class.
Participate in a debate on potential solutions to microfiber pollution. Consider options such as improving wastewater treatment, developing biodegradable fabrics, or implementing regulations on synthetic fibers. Discuss the pros and cons of each solution.
Write a short story from the perspective of a microfiber traveling through the environment. Describe its journey from a piece of clothing to the ocean, including interactions with marine life and its impact on the ecosystem. Share your story with the class.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
You may not be wearing an insulated wetsuit like Pacific swimmer Ben Lecomte, but part of the outfit you’re wearing right now is going to come in contact with the ocean eventually. The new invisible threat that is being discovered is that microfibers from our clothes end up in the ocean, and they are being ingested by marine animals. This raises important questions: Does it pass through their systems, or does it end up in their flesh, and then we consume it? These are the questions Dimitri Deheyn and his team at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography are exploring as they work with The Swim expedition to investigate microfibers.
Unfortunately, many fish likely have microfibers in their guts, and so do we. It is estimated that every person may have about three to five million microfibers passing through their bodies each day. Shed by synthetic materials like polyester, spandex, and nylon, microfibers are so abundant that filters once designed to catch them have been removed from washing machines due to clogging. Today, these particles are released into waterways with every wash cycle.
Microfibers are about five microns in size or smaller, roughly 20 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They are small enough to adsorb contaminants, which may be concentrated many times more than in the surrounding water. Microfibers are tinier and carry more charge than microplastics, meaning they can be circulated more quickly throughout global water and air currents and absorb more toxins or microorganisms along the way. Their small size allows them to penetrate cells.
Microfibers have been found in remote locations, including the North Pole, and there are increasing reports from Europe, the United States, South America, and Asia. They are present in bottled water, water fountains, and any liquid that comes into contact with water, including beverages like beer and wine. These microfibers can enter the cells of the digestive tract, raising questions about their potential effects on other tissues, respiratory health, and more.
With the help of the Seeker crew, Dimitri and his team are collecting samples of ocean water and fish flesh to investigate the impact of microfibers. Understanding where microfibers are concentrated is crucial for assessing what we breathe, eat, and drink. It is expected that major cities will have areas rich in microfibers, particularly near sewage discharge points, but the situation offshore remains unclear.
The team is not only catching fish for consumption but also collecting samples from their flesh to analyze for microfibers. To count the fibers in the samples, they use a blacklight, as microfibers are fluorescent. A program has been developed to recognize microfibers based on their shape, length, and spectral characteristics, using image analysis similar to facial recognition software.
Once microfibers can be mapped, Dimitri’s team will test how these synthetic particles could impact human health by examining light production in marine species as a potential indicator. Organisms in the ocean that produce light tend to produce less when they are not well, and this can be correlated with the health of their nervous systems. If the light does not follow a certain pattern, it may indicate neurotoxicity, providing insights into potential impacts on our own nervous systems.
Dimitri envisions a positive future where we learn from nature, embracing the concept of biomimicry to create clothing that is fully reintegrated into the environment. We are part of nature and a closed system, with water and food flowing through us, meaning that any pollution we generate will eventually affect us as well.
Be sure to visit seeker.com/theswim for daily updates from Ben Lecomte, track his progress in real time, and watch more videos about the science happening onboard Seeker. Click here for the next episode, and don’t forget to subscribe. Thanks for watching.
—
This version maintains the core information while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate content.
Microfibers – Tiny synthetic fibers that are shed from clothing and other textiles, often ending up in water bodies and contributing to pollution. – Example sentence: Microfibers from washing synthetic clothes are a significant source of pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Ocean – A vast body of saltwater that covers approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface and plays a crucial role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting marine life. – Example sentence: The health of the ocean is vital for maintaining biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.
Marine – Relating to the sea or ocean, especially in terms of the organisms and ecosystems that inhabit these environments. – Example sentence: Marine biology focuses on studying the diverse life forms and ecological processes found in oceanic environments.
Pollution – The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, which can negatively impact ecosystems and human health. – Example sentence: Efforts to reduce pollution in coastal areas are essential for protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring clean water for communities.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury, often used in environmental studies to refer to the well-being of ecosystems and organisms. – Example sentence: The health of coral reefs is threatened by rising ocean temperatures and increased pollution levels.
Synthetic – Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product, often used in reference to materials that can contribute to environmental pollution. – Example sentence: Synthetic materials, such as plastics, are a major source of pollution in marine environments.
Contaminants – Substances that make something impure or unclean, often referring to pollutants that can harm ecosystems and human health. – Example sentence: Heavy metals and pesticides are common contaminants found in water sources that can have detrimental effects on aquatic life.
Ecosystems – Communities of living organisms interacting with their physical environment, functioning as a unit. – Example sentence: Healthy ecosystems provide essential services such as clean air, water, and fertile soil, which are crucial for human survival.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions, often used in the context of scientific studies. – Example sentence: Ongoing research in environmental science is crucial for developing sustainable solutions to combat climate change.
Biomimicry – The design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes. – Example sentence: Biomimicry is inspiring innovative solutions to environmental challenges by mimicking the efficient designs found in nature.
