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Impact of Microplastic Contaminants on Mangrove Root Function Using Remote Sensing
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This study applied remote sensing technologies — satellite imagery and drone-based sensors — to assess how microplastic contamination affects mangrove root function, finding that microplastics interfere with nutrient uptake, root growth, and gas exchange in these critical coastal ecosystems. Understanding mangrove degradation from microplastics matters because these forests are essential coastal buffers and biodiversity hotspots, and their decline would accelerate coastline erosion and carbon release.
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental threat, affecting marine and coastal ecosystems, including mangrove forests. Mangrove roots, essential for stabilizing coastlines and supporting biodiversity, are particularly vulnerable to microplastic contamination, which can interfere with nutrient uptake, root growth, and overall ecosystem health. Remote sensing technologies provide an effective means to monitor the extent and impact of microplastics on mangrove ecosystems, offering insights into root health and environmental conditions. By using satellite imagery and drone-based sensors, researchers can assess changes in vegetation health, canopy structure, and root systems that may result from microplastic exposure. These data can be integrated with ground-based observations to provide a comprehensive understanding of how microplastics affect mangrove root functions, such as gas exchange and nutrient cycling
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Responses of mangrove (Kandelia obovata) growth, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere soil properties to microplastic pollution
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Researchers found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC microplastics significantly impaired mangrove (Kandelia obovata) root growth, photosynthesis, and soil microbial properties after 12 months of exposure, threatening mangrove ecosystem health.
Impacts of Microplastics on Mangroves - A Review
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Mangrove forests act as natural traps for microplastics due to their dense root systems that slow water flow, leading to higher microplastic accumulation in mangroves than other coastal zones. This matters because the build-up harms mangrove plants at the cellular and physiological level, threatening these ecologically critical habitats that protect coastlines and support fisheries.
Distinct microplastics abundance variation in root-associated sediments revealed the underestimation of mangrove microplastics pollution
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This study characterized how microplastic abundance varies across root hair, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere zones in mangrove sediments, finding that root structures significantly influence microplastic trapping and migration patterns within mangrove ecosystems.
Microplastic Contamination in Water, Sediment, and Biota in Mangrove Forests
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This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in mangrove forest water, sediment, and biota, finding that mangroves act as both sinks and potential sources of microplastics due to their complex hydrodynamics, with ecotoxicological data on mangrove-specific organisms remaining limited.
Microplastics in mangroves with special reference to Asia: Occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and remediation options
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This review examines microplastic contamination in Asian mangrove ecosystems, finding higher pollution levels near fishing, tourism, and industrial areas. Organisms throughout the mangrove food web, from shellfish to fish, accumulate microplastics based on their feeding habits and habitat. While mangrove plants can trap some microplastics in their roots, the widespread contamination of these coastal ecosystems raises concerns about the safety of seafood harvested from mangrove areas for human consumption.
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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.