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Habitat-forming species trap microplastics into coastal sediment sinks
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A field flume experiment comparing microplastic retention in seagrass, macroalgae, and coral habitats found that hard corals trapped the most particles in their above-ground structure, while sediment was the dominant overall sink — accumulating 1–2 orders of magnitude more than the organisms themselves.
Nearshore biogenic habitats are known to trap sediments, and may therefore also accumulate biofouled, non-buoyant microplastics. Using a current-generating field flume (TiDyFLOW), we experimentally assessed the mechanisms of microplastic trapping of two size classes, 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm particle size, by three contrasting types of biogenic habitats: 1) seagrasses, 2) macroalgae, and 3) scleractinian corals. Results showed that benthic organisms with a complex architecture and rough surface - such as hard corals - trap the highest number of microplastics in their aboveground structure. Sediment was however the major microplastic sink, accumulating 1 to 2 orders of magnitude more microplastics than the benthic structure. Microplastic accumulation in the sediment could be explained by near-bed turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), indicating that this is governed by the same hydrodynamic processes leading to sediment trapping. Thus, the most valuable biogenic habitats in terms of nursery and coastal protection services also have the highest capacity of accumulating microplastics in their sediments. A significantly larger fraction of 0.5 mm particles was trapped in the sediment compared to 2.5 mm particles, because especially the smaller microplastics are entrained into the sediment. Present observations contribute to explaining why especially microplastics smaller than 1 mm are missing in surface waters.
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Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic
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Coral reef structures were shown to act as long-term sinks for microplastics, with microplastics accumulating in reef framework interstices and sediments at higher concentrations than surrounding seawater, potentially contributing to the resolution of the missing plastic problem in ocean budgets.
Marine macrophytes retain microplastics
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Researchers found that marine macrophytes such as seagrass and algae retain microplastics within their structures and accumulate them in surrounding sediments, acting as an underrecognized biological sink for plastic particles. This study highlights coastal vegetation as both a trapping mechanism and an indicator of local microplastic contamination.
The correlation between microplastics characteristics and sediment grain size to microplastics accumulation in coral reef sediment in Gede Island, Rembang, Indonesia
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Researchers studied microplastic accumulation in coral reef sediments in Indonesia, finding that smaller, denser microplastic fragments — especially near coastlines with human activity — sink and penetrate sediments more readily, with particle size and shape being the strongest predictors of where microplastics end up.
Do coral reefs act as sinks for microplastics?
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This review examined whether coral reefs act as sinks for microplastics, finding five mechanisms that promote microplastic accumulation including adhesion to corals, ingestion by reef organisms, trapping by reef structures, and burial in reef sediments. Despite covering less than 1% of ocean area, coral reefs disproportionately concentrate microplastics.
Trapping of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in seagrass beds: Ubiquity across a vertical and horizontal sampling gradient
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Researchers examined how seagrass beds trap microplastics and other anthropogenic particles by sampling along a vegetation cover gradient from dense beds to less vegetated patches. The study found that seagrass vegetation enhances the accumulation of plastic debris in both sediment and among plant structures. Evidence indicates that seagrass ecosystems act as significant sinks for microplastic pollution, with implications for the organisms that depend on these habitats.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.