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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Microplastics in coral from three Mascarene Islands, Western Indian Ocean

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2024 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Michelle Hamman, Lucian Iordachescu, Michelle Hamman, Michelle Hamman, Michelle Hamman, Hindrik Bouwman, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Hindrik Bouwman, Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Hindrik Bouwman, Lucian Iordachescu, Hindrik Bouwman, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Veronica van der Schyff, Veronica van der Schyff, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Hindrik Bouwman, Robert Nee Sun Choong Kwet Yive, Laura Simon-Sánchez Hindrik Bouwman, Robert Nee Sun Choong Kwet Yive, Hindrik Bouwman, Lucian Iordachescu, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Hindrik Bouwman, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Hindrik Bouwman, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Lucian Iordachescu, Laura Simon-Sánchez Hindrik Bouwman, Hindrik Bouwman, Hindrik Bouwman, Hindrik Bouwman, Laura Simon-Sánchez Laura Simon-Sánchez

Summary

Researchers compared microplastic concentrations, morphotypes, sizes, colors, and polymer compositions across six coral genera from three remote Mascarene Islands in the western Indian Ocean over a 1200 km transect. Microplastics were detected in all coral genera across all islands, with polymer types and concentrations reflecting both local and long-range ocean transport of plastic debris.

Study Type Environmental

Little is known about microplastics (MPs) in corals from the Indian Ocean. We compared MP concentrations, morphotypes, size, colours, and polymer compositions in six coral genera from three remote Mascarene islands (Rodrigues, St. Brandon's Atoll, and Agalega) of the Republic of Mauritius, on a 1200 km transect located in the South Equatorial Current (SEC). The mean MP concentration was 0.78 n/g (53 % fibres) with no significant differences between islands. Polymers were polypropylene (78 %) and polyethylene (18 %). We conclude that the SEC's MP concentrations and compositions have homogenized over thousands of kilometres across the Indian Ocean. We discuss the lack of hazardous polyurethane MPs in coral samples given obvious sources on St Brandon. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on MPs in coral from the Western Indian Ocean and the Mascarene Islands providing a baseline for further research, monitoring, mitigation, and policy development.

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