Cellulose nanofibres, the University of Siena studies their impact on the seas

According to a study carried out on mussels, nanofibers deriving from plant fibers do not cause toxicity that puts the survival of the species at risk.

Editorial board
April 18, 2024

SIENA – Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are a biomass produced by reducing the size of cellulose derived from plant fibers to “nano” dimensions, i.e. several hundred times smaller than a micrometer. CNFs are characterized by a low environmental impact from production and disposal since they are derived from plants. They offer light weight, high strength, anti-expansion properties and are used for a wide range of productsincluding automobiles, household appliances and building materials.

These fibers represent a promising resource for multiple industrial sectors, but what impact do they have on the marine environment? The problem was addressed by Laura Riva And Carlo Punta of the Polytechnic of Milan, from Tatiana Rusconi And Ilaria Corsi of the Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences of the University of Siena and by Montserrat Solè of the Instituto de Ciencias del Mar in Barcelona. The research involved some marine organisms considered sentinels of the quality of the sea, mussels or better known as mussels.

Two types of cellulose nanofibers, oxidized and non-oxidized, were analyzed to evaluate their ecotoxicological impact on the Mediterranean mussel and establish their safety for the marine environment. The results highlighted how these fibers can affect the immune response of the mussel and alter the functionality of the
gills following physical interactions (surface adhesion). However, no toxicities capable of endangering the survival of the species nor stress conditions capable of altering its response to environmental changes were observed.

The experimentation conducted in the laboratory also allowed us to exclude possible changes in the pH and salinity of marine waters following the release of the nanofibres mimicking realistic exposure scenarios such as those associated with their transport with sewage wastewater in coastal marine areas. For Ilaria Corsi “further research is needed for an ecological risk assessment that takes into account tchronic exposure times and multiple stress conditions such as those that now affect the marine-coastal areas of the Mediterranean”.