Temporal dynamic of anthropogenic fibers in a tropical river-estuarine system

Anthropogenic fibers, gathering synthetic fibers, artificial fibers and natural fibers are ubiquitous in the natural environment. Tremendous concentrations of anthropogenic fibers were previously measured in the tropical Saigon River (Vietnam), i.e. a river impacted by textile and apparel industries. In the present study, we want to examine the role of contrasted seasonal variation (e.g., dry and rainy seasons), via the rainfall and monthly water discharges, and of water's physico-chemical conditions on the concentrations of anthropogenic fibers in the surface water. The one year and half monthly survey evidenced that concentrations of anthropogenic fibers varied from 22 to 251 items L⁻¹ and their variations were not related to rainfall, water discharge or abiotic factors. However, their color and length distribution varied monthly suggesting variations in sources and sinks. Based on the 2017 survey, we estimated an annual emission of anthropogenic fibers from the river to the downstream coastal zone of 115–164 × 10¹² items yr⁻¹.