The microfiber footprint of blue jeans in a Great Lakes watershed

Session: Poster Session

Jennifer Adams, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Samantha Athey, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Lisa Erdle, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Liisa Jantunen, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]
Chelsea Rochman, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Sarah Finkelstein, University of Toronto, [email protected]
Miriam Diamond, Dept. of Geography, University of Toronto, [email protected]

Abstract

United States consumers purchase ~450 million pairs of blue jeans per year (JCR-VIS, 2018), with global sales increasing annually (Cotton Incorporated, 2018). Approximately 75% of consumers strongly prefer denim produced using 100% cotton or cotton blends (Ibid.). Cotton is a natural fiber and is commonly considered more environmentally friendly than synthetics, however cellulosic fibers (including cotton) are a widespread environmental contaminant. The persistence of processed cotton fibers, and the effects of chemical treatments, including the addition of synthetic dyes and additives, on toxicity and degradation rates of cotton fibers in the environment is unclear.

We analyzed samples from several stages along the microfiber aquatic pathway, including in-home washing machines, waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), freshwater lakes within the Greater Toronto Area, and aquatic organisms inhabiting Lake Ontario. Microfibers were the dominant particle type in all samples. WWTP final effluent analysis showed that 90% of microplastics discharged into Lake Ontario were microfibers, 70% of which were composed of cellulose or Indigo dye, determined through Raman spectroscopy. The prevalence of cellulosic fibers coated with indigo dye suggests blue jean denim as the likely source. Our results show the extensive footprint of our current blue jean culture that extends throughout aquatic ecosystems.

Twitter handle of presenter
@AdamsJenniferK