Marine scientists developing unique partnerships to address plastic degradation in the environment.
Scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego are working to understand plastic degradation in the ocean, particularly smaller particles called microplastics and related microfibers.
Marine biologist Dimitri Deheyn, associate researcher at Scripps, is working on a two-fold approach to these micromaterials. He and postdoctoral researcher Sarah-Jeanne Royer are monitoring microfibers around the world to better understand how these fibers enter and spread in the environment, while also partnering with industry to identify possible avenues to limit plastic pollution and develop remediation strategies.
While cotton is a natural fiber, the majority of microfibers are synthetic and many are petroleum-based, making them a form of microplastic. Because of their ability to absorb larger amounts of water and unique chemical binding properties, they can be found in many textiles, including clothing and cleaning cloths, and are defined by their ultrafine nature (thinner than even a strand of silk). These fibers shed into the environment when textiles are washed and through everyday wear, and are becoming a growing concern among scientists and environmentalists.
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