Deep sea sediments function as long term repositories of anthropogenic debris, offering valuable records for tracing historical pollution. This study investigates the vertical distribution of microfibers (MFs) in a high-resolution sediment core collected from 368m depth in the Gulf of Taranto (Italy). A total of 48 layers were analyzed to examine fiber abundance and polymer composition using μFTIR spectroscopy.
The results reveal a clear stratification of MFs, with higher concentrations in surface layers and an increase over time. Cellulose-based fibers, including viscose and cotton, dominated the dataset, while synthetic fibers such as PET, PE and PP appeared only in post-1960s sediments. This composition reflects global shifts in textile production and highlights the persistence of both natural and synthetic fibers in marine sediments.
These findings support the use of MFs as stratigraphic markers of anthropogenic influence and raise concerns about long-term exposure risks for benthic organisms. The study emphasizes the deep sea’s role as a sink for microplastic pollution and its value for reconstructing human impact on marine ecosystems.
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