Mountains to the sea: River study of plastic and non-plastic microfiber pollution in the northeast USA

Aquatic environments are sinks for anthropogenic contamination, whether chemical or solid pollutants. Microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles contribute to this problem. These can be plastic or non-plastic origin. Our aim was to investigate the presence and distribution of both types of anthropogenic microfibers along the length of the Hudson River, USA. Surface grab samples were collected and filtered through a 0.45μm filter paper. Abundance of fibers was determined after subtraction of potential contamination. 233 microfibers were recorded in 142 samples, averaging 0.98microfibersL−1. Subsequent micro-FTIR showed half of the fibers were plastic while the other half were non-plastic, but of anthropogenic origin. There was no relationship between fiber abundance, wastewater treatment plant location or population density. Extrapolating from this data, and using available hydrographic data, 34.4% of the Hudson River's watershed drainage area contributes an average 300 million anthropogenic microfibers into the Atlantic Ocean per day. [Display omitted] •This study surveys the whole length of the Hudson River, USA for microfibers using a surface grab sample technique.•Microfibers were found throughout the length of the Hudson River from the alpine region to New York City.•A total of 233microfibers were recorded in 142 samples making and average of 0.985microfibersL−1.•Micro FT-IR suggest around 50% of these are plastic microfibers and the other 50% non-plastic, anthropogenic microfibers.•Estimates suggest the Hudson River could be contributing 300 million microfibers into the Atlantic Ocean per day.