# “Natural” fibers in lakes: A 150-year sedimentary perspective on persistence

## TL;DR

This study shows that natural fibers like cotton can persist in lake sediments for over a century, challenging the belief that they are fully biodegradable.

## Contribution

The paper provides a 150-year sedimentary record showing the long-term persistence of natural textile fibers in the environment.

## Key findings

- Natural fibers dominated sediment samples before 1979, with only two plastic fibers found.
- Cotton fiber accumulation increased significantly after 1979.
- Natural fibers can act as technofossils, preserving evidence of human activity.

## Abstract

Natural fiber textiles, such as cotton, are widely marketed as greener, biodegradable materials within the fashion and textiles industry. However, contemporary environmental assessments of whole (plastic and non-plastic) textile fiber pollution regularly find natural, not plastic, fibers dominate environmental samples. Here we combine palaeolimnological, archival, and forensic science methodologies to evaluate long-term fiber preservation in sediments. We recover individual textile fibers from a unique 150-year lake sediment record from Rudyard lake, Staffordshire, UK. Between c.1876 and c.1979, all bar two fibers recovered from this sediment were natural. After c.1979, fiber accumulation rates increase, driven primarily by an increase in cotton accumulation. These data challenge assumptions of natural fiber biodegradability and add to the technofossil record of historic human activity. We conclude that there is a pressing need to reconsider whether natural textile fibers are as benign as is largely assumed, particularly in pursuit of plastic alternatives for fashion and textiles.

•Natural textile fibers persist in lake sediment records, alongside plastic fibers•Only two plastic fibers were recovered from sediments predating 1979•Natural textile fibers are potential technofossil markers for human activity•Biodegradation of natural fibers cannot be assumed

Natural textile fibers persist in lake sediment records, alongside plastic fibers

Only two plastic fibers were recovered from sediments predating 1979

Natural textile fibers are potential technofossil markers for human activity

Biodegradation of natural fibers cannot be assumed

Environment; Pollution; Environmental assessment