The first-known direct observations of the movement of microfiber plastics through a thin layer of soil-like particles show that they tend to tumble, roll and sometimes get stuck in spaces.
The first-known direct observations of the movement of microfiber plastics through a thin layer of soil-like particles show that they tend to tumble, roll and sometimes get stuck in spaces.
The findings, reported in the journal, Water Resources Research, mean that the fibers could get easily trapped in sediment. The work helps to improve understanding of the exposure risks and possible health impacts of the pervasive pieces of plastic, which are the largest pollutant in the world by mass.
“The fibers tend not to want to move. If anything, they want to stay put and want to attach to something,” said Nick Engdahl, corresponding author on the paper and an associate professor in Washington State University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Read More: Washington State University
