Abundance Of Microfibers Research Articles

Microfiber pollution: Assessment, emission estimation, and time-series-based forecast of microfibers from domestic washing machine laundering and mitigation measures.

Microfibers are thread-like structures shorter than 5 mm and have natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic origins. These micropollutants are ubiquitous and are emerging in the environment, living organisms, and food sources. Textile laundering is a prominent source of microfibers, but limited research has been conducted on microfiber pollution from domestic washing machines in emerging economies such as India, where consumption and production rates are exorbitantly high. This study aimed to assess the abundance and size distribution of microfibers from the effluent of a semiautomatic domestic washing machine using three categories of "not-new" textiles: cotton, blended, and synthetic under "with" and "without" detergent conditions. Although most Indians still rely on hand washing, this study focused on washing machines due to their increasing use in India driven by improving socioeconomic factors. This study also developed annual emission estimation and forecasting models for India to understand pollution trends. The results revealed that microfibers were highly abundant in washing machine effluent, with a mean abundance of cotton, blended, and synthetic in "with detergent" conditions of 6476.67, 3766.67, and 8645/L, respectively, whereas in "without detergent," it was lower. All identified microfibers were divided into five size classes. The study also found that powdered detergent increased the abundance and emission of tiny fibers. The overall annual emissions estimate was 1.23 × 1011 microfibers, with cotton, synthetic, and blended categories accounting for 2.11 × 1010, 1.40 × 1010, and 6.15 × 109 microfibers, respectively. Time-series-based future estimates (autoregressive integrated moving average [ARIMA] and error-trend-seasonality [ETS]) showed an alarming increase in microfiber emissions, with forecasted annual emission reaching 1.90 × 1011 by 2030. Synthetic and cotton textiles are the most significant contributors to microfiber pollution. This study emphasized the urgent need to address the issue of microfiber pollution caused by washing machine laundering in developing countries, such as India, where sociodemographic factors intensify the problem. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2116-2127. © 2024 SETAC.

A study on textile microfiber contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of Merluccius merluccius samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The increased demand and consumption of synthetic textiles have contributed to microplastic pollution in the form of microfibers. These particles are widely spread in the aquatic environment, leading to the exposure of marine biota, including edible species. The current study aimed to assess the extent of microfiber contamination in a commercially relevant fish species, Merluccius merluccius, which is considered a small-scale bioindicator for the monitoring of plastic ingestion in the Mediterranean coastal environment. The frequency of ingestion, abundance, and composition of textile microfibers isolated from the fish gut were characterized. Results showed the occurrence of microfibers in 75% of the samples, with a mean number of 10.6 microfibers/individual, of which 70% were classified as natural microfibers. The spectroscopic analyses confirmed both the visual identification of microfibers and the prevalence of cellulosic fibers. The obtained findings provided evidence of both natural/artificial and synthetic microfiber exposure in an important commercial fish species that, considering the consumption of small individuals without being eviscerated, may be a potential route of microfiber exposure in humans. Monitoring programs for fishery products from markets are needed to assess contamination levels and human health risks. In addition, measures to control microfiber pollution need to occur at multiple levels, from textile industries to international governments.

The significant impacts of laundry wastewater on microplastics: a case study in a residential area

Microplastics (MPs) in urban drainage are a significant source of river pollution. Laundry waste, which can contain high levels of microfibers, is a potential source of MPs in urban drainage. This study investigated the abundance and characteristics of MPs in urban drainage channels in Ketawanggede Village, Malang City, Indonesia. The research involved stages such as inorganic and organic separation using Fe2SO4.7H2O and H2O2, density-based MPs separation, and analysis of abundance, size, color, and polymer through microscopy and FTIR. Statistical testing was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis Test in RStudio. The results showed that the abundance of MPs increased with distance from the river, with the highest abundance found at location 4 (267.44 particles/L). The MPs were dominated by small particles (<1 mm), fibers (58%), and transparent (74.3%) in color. The type of polymer was mostly polypropylene (PP) and nylon. The study also found that the abundance of microfibers was significantly higher at locations 2 and 3 (where laundries were located) compared to location 1. This suggests that laundry waste is a significant source of microfibers in urban drainage.

Microplastic and anthropogenic microfiber pollution in the surface waters of the East River and Long Island Sound, USA

This pilot study aimed to investigate the abundance of microplastic and anthropogenic microfibers in surface waters of the East River and Long Island Sound (LIS), USA to identify pollution hotspots via high-resolution sampling and characterization of the samples identifying the number of microparticle pollution sources. Samples were taken every 3 miles from the East River (Greenpoint, Brooklyn) along the middle of LIS to The Race, where LIS meets Rhode Island Sound. 97% of samples (n = 29) contained anthropogenic particulates, 76.14% were fibers and 23.86% were fragments. 47.76% of the fibers were synthetic and 52.24% were non-synthetic/anthropogenic. Two primary and two secondary hotspots were observed, one of each near either end of the sampling area. In addition to composition, multiple characteristics were analyzed, including type, color, shape, material, presence of delusterant and width that identified 30 unique categories of potential sources of microparticle pollution.

Abundance and Characteristics of Fibrous Microplastics and Microfibers Isolated in Mullus barbatus from the Adriatic Sea—Preliminary Investigation

Despite the wide distribution of textile microfibers in the marine environment, there is still limited knowledge on microfiber ingestion in fish species intended for human consumption, mostly due to analytical issues. The present study aims to assess the occurrence of microfibers in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) samples collected from the Italian waters of the central Adriatic Sea. M. barbatus is a bottom fish that lives in contact with sediment and therefore was proposed as a sentinel species for the monitoring plastic pollution. A visual approach based on the evaluation of specific microfiber surface morphology was applied for the identification of particles of different origins. The preliminary findings showed the presence of microfibers in 80% of red mullet samples with a mean of 5.95 microfibers/individual. The majority (&gt;80%) of the isolated microfibers were of natural/artificial origin, while the dominant colors were blue and black. The obtained results confirmed that benthic fish species are susceptible to microfiber ingestion and indicate the high availability of these particles in the Adriatic basin. Considering the spectroscopic drawbacks in microfiber analyses and the need to improve the current knowledge on the rate of contamination of fishery products, the visual approach could be a feasible, easy, and accessible method in the study of microfiber pollution, and the assessment of consumer health risks.

Abundance and distribution of subsurface microfibres and seabed macrolitter in Thoothukudi, Gulf of Mannar, South-east coast of India

Aim: Considering the potential harm caused by plastic pollution to the marine ecosystem, the present study was conducted to elucidate the status of microfiber and macrolitter in the selected areas of Thoothukudi on the South-east coast of India. Methodology: The abundance and distribution of subsurface microfibers in four locations of Tuticorin inshore waters were estimated by filtering subsurface waters using a 250µm mesh epineuston net. The non-biodegradable macrolitter on the seabed at three locations of Thoothukudi was estimated by swept area method. Results: Among the four selected stations, a higher quantity of microfibres was observed in the subsurface waters at 5m depth close to nearshore areas, with the highest mean numerical abundance of 3.13±0.3 nos.m l-1. The annual difference in the subsurface microfibre abundance varied significantly between stations (p&lt;0.05). Plastics were the most dominant litter constituents on the sea beds among three stations. A significant seasonal variation (p&lt;0.05) with maximum mean total macrolitter abundance was noticed on the seabed at Kayalpattinam (45.81± 9.3 kg km-2). The estimated mean macrolitter abundance at all the stations was higher than the reported national average of 10.95±3.05 kg km-2. Interpretation: This study revealed variations in the abundance and distribution of microfibers and macrolitters in the selected areas of Tuticorin. The study emphasises the role of land and marine-based anthropogenic activities in the plastic pollution of this region. Key words: Abundance, Gulf of mannar, Microfibres, Macrolitter, Subsurface waters, Seabed

Microfiber Hotspots' Association with Ships in a Remote Port before and during Covid-19.

During monthly water quality monitoring of Norwegian coastal waters, the sea surface waters off Brønnøysund, a remote port in Norway, exhibited an unexpectedly high abundance of microfibers. We further conducted monitoring of microplastics and microfibers from the surface waters off the city before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysis of the microfiber characteristics, which were primarily comprised of cellulosic and polyester fibers, revealed similarities with those found in the global ocean, but at concentrations that were 1-4 orders of magnitude higher, with the maximum concentration reaching 491 n/L (0.34 mg/L). Source apportionment of microfibers using multivariate analyses based on simultaneous water chemistry data showed positive correlations with ships. Contrary to previous assumptions that marine microfibers were derived from land-based sources, our findings revealed that gray water discharge from ships significantly contributed to microfibers in the oceans. The demonstrated causations using path modeling between microfibers, gray water, shipping, and noncargo shipping activities call for urgent research and regulatory actions toward addressing plastic pollution in the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

Occurrence of Natural and Synthetic Micro-Fibers in the Mediterranean Sea: A Review.

Among microplastics (MPs), fibers are one of the most abundant shapes encountered in the aquatic environment. Growing attention is being focused on this typology of particles since they are considered an important form of marine contamination. Information about microfibers distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is still limited and the increasing evidence of the high amount of fibers in the aquatic environment should lead to a different classification from MPs which, by definition, are composed only of synthetic materials and not natural. In the past, cellulosic fibers (natural and regenerated) have been likely included in the synthetic realm by hundreds of studies, inflating “micro-plastic” counts in both environmental matrices and organisms. Comparisons are often hampered because many of the available studies have explicitly excluded the micro-fibers (MFs) content due, for example, to methodological problems. Considering the abundance of micro-fibers in the environment, a chemical composition analysis is fundamental for toxicological assessments. Overall, the results of this review work provide the basis to monitor and mitigate the impacts of microfiber pollution on the sea ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, which can be used to investigate other basins of the world for future risk assessment.

Microfiber Contamination in Potable Water: Detection and Mitigation Using a Filtering Device

In recent years, microfibers released from synthetic fabrics have been identified as the main contributor to primary microplastic pollution. These pollutants have been detected in several products for human consumption. This work aims to evaluate the efficiency of a specific device used with the purpose to monitor and reduce this anthropogenic pollution in potable water. The device was tested using potable water from several cities in Slovenia by mounting the device containing the porous membrane directly to the faucet in private and public buildings. The results highlight the effectiveness of the applied device in removing natural and synthetic microfibers from tap water and confirm the abundance of microfibers as a contaminant of potable water.

An emerging role of microplastics in the etiology of lung ground glass nodules

BackgroundMicroplastic pollution has become a serious global environmental threat. The abundance of microplastics in the air is an order of magnitude higher than that in other media, which means that all living animals breathing with lungs (including humans) cannot escape the fate of inhaling microplastics. However, there is no direct evidence to demonstrate what type and abundance of microplastics exist in lung tissue. In addition, whether the retention of microplastics and the long-term friction between microplastics and lung tissue are related to some respiratory diseases is largely unknown. Ground glass nodules (GGNs) are areas of lesions of homogeneous density and with hazy increase in density in the lung field that do not obscure the bronchovascular structure, which have been increasingly identified in past decades. Although their etiology is broad, the correlation of microplastics with GGNs remains elusive.ResultsIn this study, we identified the presence of 65 microfibers, including 24 microplastics (> 20 μm) in 100 human lung tissues with μ-FTIR. The detection rate of microfibers in tumor was 58%, higher than that in normal tissue (46%), and 2/3 of microplastics were found in tumor. Microfibers seemed to be embedded in lung tissues, which was suggested by the in situ observation via LDIR. Additionally, sub-micron-sized plastic particles were also detected in some lung tissues with Raman. The abundance of microfibers in lung tissue gradually accumulated with the increase of age. Moreover, the detection rate in tumor of patients with higher microfiber exposure risk history was significantly higher than those with a relatively lower one, implying microfiber inhalation could be related to the formation of GGN. Further, serious weared surface of microfibers isolated from lung tissue emphasized a possible link of surface roughness to the disease progression.ConclusionsCollectively, the existence of microplastics in human lung tissues was validated, and their correlation with GGN formation was preliminarily explored, which laid a foundation for future research on microplastic exposure in the etiology of lung cancer and other related respiratory diseases.Graphical

Ubiquitous vertical distribution of microfibers within the upper epipelagic layer of the western Mediterranean Sea

The abundance of microplastics (plastic particles of less than 5 mm) along the sea surface and in seafloor sediments have been extensively documented worldwide; however, little is known in terms of the vertical distribution of microplastics in the water column, especially in the epipelagic zone. Considering the biological importance of this area, the quantification of microplastics available here is essential to identify potential impacts for marine organisms. This study reports the vertical distribution of microplastic abundances throughout the water column in two Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) demarcations from the western Mediterranean Sea during July 2019. Three concatenated 5-L Niskin bottles were used for sampling at 5, 15 and 25 m from the sea surface in stations with a total depth smaller than 50 m and at 5, 25 and 50 m from the sea surface in stations with a total depth greater than 50 m. This study demonstrates the ubiquitous abundance of microfibers, 96% of the microplastic items identified in the upper epipelagic layer of the western Mediterranean Sea. Microplastics exhibit a heterogeneous vertical and horizontal spatial distribution. Fragments had a very low representation (4% of the items) but showed a similar frequency of occurrence along all sampling depths. In terms of size, 68% of the microplastics were less than 2 mm in length. Microplastics quantified within the study area were mainly composed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) (20% each) followed by cellulose acetate (CA) (16%) and polyestyrene (PS) (14%). Regarding the spatial distribution of microplastics, higher abundances were found at intermediate distances (5–10 km from the coast) with mean values of 2.41 ± 1.90 items L−1 and further away (>20 km) from the coast, with mean values of 2.11 ± 1.80 items L−1. A slight decreasing trend in the abundances of microplastics from the sub-surface to deeper waters was also observed. Stations within MPAs waters showed no significant differences in microplastic abundances when compared to non-MPAs stations. Overall, the results of this study highlight the ubiquitous presence of microplastics, primarily microfibers, along the epipelagic layer of the Spanish Mediterranean continental shelf.

Release of tens of thousands of microfibers from discarded face masks under simulated environmental conditions

While mechanical abrasion by water and sediment is a primary and critical step in weathering process, the upsurge of discarded face masks will undoubtedly become a potential source of micro-/nanofibers owing to the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. However, effects of mechanical abrasion on discarded face masks have neither been seriously addressed nor understood. Therefore, we conducted a simulated experiment to explore abundance, size distribution and morphology of microfibers released from common, surgical and face filtering piece (FFP) masks after mechanical abrasion. Technologies such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used. Results showed that the abundance of released microfibers followed order of surgical > common > FFP in both water and sediment environments, and the maximum abundance reached 272 ± 12.49 items per square centimeter of mask (items·cm−2) after sediment abrasion. Taking surgical mask for further investigation, the length of released fiber was observed to vary from 47.78 μm to 3.93 mm, and 72.41–89.58% of the total number of released microfibers fell in the range of 0.1–1 mm. However, microfibers with a very small length (1–100 μm) can occupy 0.09–13.59% of the total number of released fibers in sediment environment. The roughness of fiber surface after sediment abrasion was successively increased. Furthermore, the morphology analysis showed significant changes with countless cracks and many prominent protrusions on fiber surface after sediment abrasion. The cracks and protrusions may further accelerate mask decomposition, thereby potentially resulting in the adsorption of other contaminants and the release of self-containing chemicals. This study provides a valuable database of microfibers released from discarded face masks at the primary but critical stage, and further contributes knowledge on environmental impact of discarded personal protective equipment due to COVID-19.

Are We Underestimating Anthropogenic Microfiber Pollution? A Critical Review of Occurrence, Methods, and Reporting

Anthropogenic microfibers, a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, can be categorized as synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural according to material of origin and production process. Although natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, originated from natural sources, they often contain chemical additives, including colorants (e.g., dyes, pigments) and finishes (e.g., flame retardants, antimicrobial agents, ultraviolet light stabilizers). These additives are applied to textiles during production to give textiles desired properties like enhanced durability. Anthropogenically modified "natural" and semisynthetic fibers are sufficiently persistent to undergo long-range transport and accumulate in the environment, where they are ingested by biota. Although most research and communication on microfibers have focused on the sources, pathways, and effects of synthetic fibers in the environment, natural and semisynthetic fibers warrant further investigation because of their abundance. Because of the challenges in enumerating and identifying natural and semisynthetic fibers in environmental samples and the focus on microplastic or synthetic fibers, reports of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment may be underestimated. In this critical review, we 1) report that natural and semisynthetic microfibers are abundant, 2) highlight that some environmental compartments are relatively understudied in the microfiber literature, and 3) report which methods are suitable to enumerate and characterize the full suite of anthropogenic microfibers. We then use these findings to 4) recommend best practices to assess the abundance of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment, including natural and semisynthetic fibers. By focusing exclusively on synthetic fibers in the environment, we are neglecting a major component of anthropogenic microfiber pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:822-837. © 2021 SETAC.

Effects of anthropogenic activities on microplastics in deposit-feeders (Diptera: Chironomidae) in an urban river of Taiwan

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has generated global concerns. However, the explicit assessment of the effect of multiple anthropogenic activities on the existence of MPs in the freshwater system is scarcely reported. This study quantified anthropogenic activities and analyzed their relationship with MPs on a freshwater organism: the midge larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae). The study took place in an urban river and consisted of comparing the abundance and types of MPs. Our results highlight that, while industrial area was the most important variable contributing to the total MP concentration in midge larvae, residential area also influenced the concentration of microfibers in midge larvae. The impact of a residential area on the relative abundance of microfibers in each sample site was diluted by the proximity to an industrial area. In conclusion, we suggest that industrial areas are a potential source of MP pollution in river sediment, and midge larvae can be a good indicator of the MP concentrations in urban river systems. Quantifying anthropogenic activities can help discern their effects on MP concentration in a river system and promote management strategies.

Microfiber abundance associated with coral tissue varies geographically on the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

Ocean plastic pollution is a global problem that causes ecosystem degradation. Crucial knowledge gaps exist concerning patterns in microfiber abundance across regions and ecosystems, as well as the role of these pollutants within the environment. Here, we quantified the abundance of microfibers in coral samples collected from the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) using a polarized light microscope and identified a subsample of these to the polymer level using an Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy microscope. Microfibers were found in all coral samples with rayon being identified as the most common microfiber, comprising 85% of quantified pollutants. We found a greater average abundance of microfibers in coral samples from the Sapodilla Cayes (296 ± SE 89) than in samples from the Drowned Cayes (75 ± SE 14), indicating spatial variation in microfiber abundance within coral tissue along the MBRS. These results demonstrate that corals on the Belize MBRS interact with microfibers and that microfiber abundance on reefs varies spatially due to point sources of pollution and local oceanography. As rayon from clothing typically enters the ocean through wastewater effluent, alterations to waste water infrastructure may prove useful in decreasing rayon pollution in coastal waters.

Microfibers in Mytilus species(Mollusca, Bivalvia)from Southern California Harbors, Beaches, and Supermarkets

Plastic microfibers are an emerging threat to terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide. They are equivalent in size to planktonic organisms, making them available to a range of invertebrates. Bivalve mollusks can ingest and accumulate plastics via digestion and adherence to soft tissue. We determined the frequency and characteristics of microfiber pollution from wild Mytilus californianus and farmed Mytilus edulis populations that were collected from southern California harbors, beaches, and supermarkets (n=4 per site). Mussel organic matter was dissected using 30% H2O2. After adding a saline solution to separate the fibers, the liquid was filtered by vacuum filtration. The remaining fibers were examined with a magnification of 1~8x. In this short-term survey, the abundance of microfibers by sample and by shell length showed a significant difference between the harbor and beach sites. However, there was not a significant difference between the wild and farmed mussels examined. This study revealed widespread microfiber pollution and uptake by mussels in these locations and reinforces how bivalves can be used as a bioindicator of microfiber pollution. KEYWORDS: Microplastic; Microfiber; Mytilus; Biomonitoring; Bivalvia; Seafood; Human Health

Abundance and characteristics of microfibers detected in sediment trap material from the deep subtropical North Atlantic Ocean

Plastics and microplastics increasingly gain importance due to their perils and wide distribution in the marine environment. Microfibers account for the largest percentage of anthropogenic-induced microparticles, which inter alia, consist of plastic, and are found in deep-sea sediments. However, the sinking of fibers from the surface through the water column to the seafloor is still poorly understood. The present study investigates microfibers extracted from sediment trap samples, which were deployed in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (NASG). The average result of eleven analyzed samples showed 913 microfibers per gram of collected particle flux material, with a predominant fiber length shorter than 1 mm (75.6%) and a distribution maximum between 0.2 and 0.4 mm. Further, the average number of microfibers found in this study was used to derive microfiber fluxes for the NASG based on the deployment time of the sediment trap. Extrapolating the computed flux of 94 microfibers m−2 day−1 to the entire NASG area would correspond to a total microfiber mass flux of 9800 t a−1 or 73 × 1013 microfibers a−1 of sinking microfibers through the water column. These findings offer an extended application of sediment traps to monitor microfiber fluxes, which reveals the opportunity to investigate the mechanism driving sinking of microfibers and microplastics into the deep open ocean.

Variation in the presence and abundance of anthropogenic microfibers in the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN, USA.

Anthropogenic microfibers (thread-like pieces of litter < 5mm in size) including microplastic fibers have been suggested to pose a growing threat to urban rivers across the world. However, in most urban rivers, we have a limited understanding of how anthropogenic microfibers vary in presence and abundance over time. In this study, we examined how the presence and abundance of anthropogenic microfibers varied in the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN, a growing city with more than one million residents. To measure anthropogenic microfibers, we collected grab samples of surface water weekly from three locations along the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN (one upstream of the city, one in downtown, and one downstream of the city), over a 7-week period in summer of 2018 (n = 151 total samples). We found that anthropogenic microfibers were present at all study sites over time (mean of all samples = 27.9microfibers/L) and that the mean abundance of anthropogenic microfibers significantly increased in the city and downstream of the city relative to our upstream collection site. In addition, we found that anthropogenic microfiber abundance was significantly variable over time (sample values ranged from 0 to 195 pieces/L) and that multiple factors including the presence of wastewater treatment plants may be contributing to the abundance and distribution of anthropogenic microfibers in this urban river.

Microplastics in the commercial seaweed nori

Microplastics have been reported to attach to the marine macroalgae which act as the vector for microplastic transfer in the marine food web. In this study, the edible seaweed nori (Pyropia spp.) was chosen as a target species. The microplastic contaminant situations in nori were analyzed in both its final commercial products and the intermediate products across different processing stages. The abundance of microplastics ranged from 0.9 to 3.0 items/g (dw) among 24 brands of commercially packaged nori samples. With the development of nori processing stages, an enlarged size fraction of greater microplastics (1–5 mm) was observed. Compared with commercially packaged nori samples, the proportions of polypropylene, polyethylene and poly (ethylene-propylene) copolymers increased, whereas that of polyester decreased in factory-processed nori. Additionally, we further simulated and quantified the number of fluorescent polyester fibers (concentrations: 0, 1000, 5000, 10,000 fibers/L) attach to the algal pieces of Pyropia yezoensis under laboratory conditions. The average abundance of microfibers on the nori was positively and quantitatively related to their abundances in seawater (p < 0.01). To our best knowledge, this is the first work that shows the prevalence of microplastics in the commercial seaweed nori and relates to their potential sources during the processing phase.

Pollution characteristics and fate of microfibers in the wastewater from textile dyeing wastewater treatment plant.

Wastewater discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is suspected to be a significant contributor of microplastics (MPs) to the environment, and fiber is the main shape of MPs in wastewater effluent. A typical textile industry WWTP with 30,000 tons of daily treatment capacity was sampled for microfibers at different stages of the treatment process to ascertain at what stage in the treatment process the microfibers are being removed. The average abundance of microfibers was 334.1 (±24.3) items/litre in influent, and it reduced to 16.3 (±1.2) items/litre in the final effluent with a decrease of 95.1%. Despite this large reduction we calculated that this textile industry WWTP was releasing 4.89 × 108 microfibers including microplastic fibers and non-microplastic fibers into the receiving water every day. This study showed that a modest amount of microplastics being released per litre of effluent could result in significant amounts of fibers entering the environment, despite the fact that efficient removal rates of microplastic fibers and non-microplastic fibers were achieved by this modern treatment plant when dealing with such a large volume of effluent. The fate of fibers is described during the textile industry wastewater treatment process.