Assessing the ecotoxicological effects of novel cellulose nanocrystalline glitter compared to conventional polyethylene terephthalate glitter: toxicity to springtails (Folsomia candida)

<p>Glitter is a type of microplastic, and thus there is a need to assess its potential impacts on the environment and to assess the potential for non-plastic cellulose nanocrystal structurally colored glitters as safe and sustainable replacements. The ecotoxicity of glitter has been mostly ignored in the research literature, with only a few published studies focusing on aquatic organisms. Therefore, an exposure experiment was conducted to examine the impact of conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glitter as well as untreated and heat-treated cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) based glitter on the survival, reproduction, and length of <em>Folsomia candida</em> (springtail). <em>Folsomia candida</em> reproduction was reduced by 61% (P = 0.013) after exposure to PET glitter at 1000 mg/kg, while no significant effects were observed on <em>F. candida</em> survival and length. In contrast, there were no significant impacts on <em>F. candida</em> survival, length, or reproduction when exposed to untreated or heat-treated CNC glitter. These results indicate that exposure to PET glitter may impact soil invertebrates at the population level, and that CNC glitter has potential as a biodegradable non-plastic alternative to PET glitter to decrease detrimental effects on soil ecosystems. </p>