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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Marine & Wildlife
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First detection of microplastics in reef-building corals from a Maldivian atoll
Marine Pollution Bulletin2022
43 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 55
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Clarissa Raguso,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Simone Montano,
Francesco Saliu,
Clarissa Raguso,
Clarissa Raguso,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Simone Montano,
Simone Montano,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Clarissa Raguso,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Simone Montano,
Simone Montano,
Simone Montano,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Clarissa Raguso,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Paolo Galli
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Simone Montano,
Marina Lasagni,
Paolo Galli
Simone Montano,
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Simone Montano,
Paolo Galli
M. Clemenza,
Paolo Galli
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Clarissa Raguso,
Clarissa Raguso,
Clarissa Raguso,
Clarissa Raguso,
Marina Lasagni,
Simone Montano,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Simone Montano,
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
Francesco Saliu,
Marina Lasagni,
Simone Montano,
Marina Lasagni,
Marina Lasagni,
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Marina Lasagni,
Paolo Galli
Paolo Galli
Marina Lasagni,
Paolo Galli
Francesco Saliu,
Paolo Galli
Francesco Saliu,
Simone Montano,
Marina Lasagni,
Francesco Saliu,
M. Clemenza,
Paolo Galli
Marina Lasagni,
Simone Montano,
Paolo Galli
Summary
Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic contamination in reef-building corals from a Maldivian atoll, examining 38 coral colonies across three species. They found that 58% of colonies contained microplastic particles in the 25-150 micrometer size range. The study provides initial evidence that even remote coral reef ecosystems in the Indian Ocean are affected by microplastic pollution, raising concerns about potential impacts on coral health.
The presence of microplastics in the world's oceans and their effects on marine habitats are highly concerning. As suspension-feeders, corals are very exposed to microplastics, compromising the health of coral reef ecosystems. In this study we surveyed for the first time the presence of microplastics in Maldivian reef-building corals. Aiming to determine the influence of exposure and depth on microplastic distribution, analyses were carried out on 38 individuals belonging to three different species. 58% of the investigated colonies resulted contaminated with particles within the 25-150 μm size range. The maximum concentration was encountered in a Pocillopora verrucosa colony sampled from a shallow inner reef (8.9 particles/g of coral). No significant differences in microplastic concentration were observed between different depths, exposures, sites and species. Overall, this study confirmed microplastic presence in coral reefs of the Maldivian archipelago including foundation species.