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10 How do fibres get into the lake?

Every year, items such as hats, swimsuits, rope, clothing, and seat cushions are removed from the lake. The 2025 Shoreline Cleanup recorded a high volume of towels and tennis balls. Fabrics shed fibres into the lake. Most fibres remain suspended in the water column and eventually sink into the sediment.

 

How do fibres get into the air?

Synthetic fabrics contain fibres that shed as microplastics. Fibres detach from textiles during everyday use and from vents on home clothes dryers. Once airborne, wind transports them for miles.

 

The student measured the length of our fibres and found they were longer than typical. This points to a local source (likely <100 km away) because longer fibres are less likely to remain airborne over long distances.


Here is a photo of a red fibre found at the south end on August 27, magnified 90x. It is 2.45 mm in length.
Here is a photo of a red fibre found at the south end on August 27, magnified 90x. It is 2.45 mm in length.

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