Effects of microplastic and heavy metals on coral reefs: A new window for analytical research

In the modern world, plastic trash has been recognized as a global issue, and studies on microplastics (MPs) in the marine and inland environments have previously been conducted. Marine ecosystems act as a bio-diverse ecosystem where coral reefs contribute to make a sound living of the coastal people by gathering natural resources. The current study indicates that MPs and heavy metals (HMs) accumulation to biofilm and organic matter through sedimentation, precipitation, adsorption, and desorption that may have potential effect on growth and development of coral reefs in the marine ecosystems. However, the knowledge of distribution, impact, mechanism, degradation, and association mechanisms between MPs and HMs in the natural environment may open a new window for conducting analytical research from an ecological viewpoint. The current study thus summarizes the types of marine samples with the analytical techniques, polymers of MPs, and their impact on corals and other marine biota. This study also identifies existing knowledge gaps and recommends fresh lines of inquiry in light of recent developments in MPs and HMs research on the marine ecosystems. Overall, the present study suggests a sustainable intervention for reducing MPs and HMs from the marine ecosystems by demonstrating their existence in water, sediment, fish, corals, and other biota, and their impending ecotoxicological impacts on the environment and human health. The impacts of MPs and HMs on coral reefs are critically assessed in this study in light of the most recent scientific knowledge, existing laws, and new suggestions to minimize their contamination in the marine ecosystems.