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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Plastics are a new threat to Palau’s coral reefs
ClearUnveiling the hidden threat of microplastics to coral reefs in remote South Atlantic islands
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination of coral reefs on remote South Atlantic islands, finding widespread microplastic presence in reef environments and raising concerns about the physiological and ecological harm to coral ecosystems far from human population centers.
Contamination of microplastics in tropical coral reef ecosystems of Sri Lanka
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across ten coral reef ecosystems in Sri Lanka, finding microplastics in corals, water, and sediments with fibers and fragments being the dominant types, representing a previously unquantified threat to tropical reef systems.
Microplastic contamination in seawater across global marine protected areas boundaries
Researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across global Marine Protected Areas, finding that these conservation zones are not immune to plastic pollution and highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies.
First detection of microplastics in reef-building corals from a Maldivian atoll
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.
Distribution and biological implications of plastic pollution on the fringing reef of Mo’orea, French Polynesia
This study quantified both macro- and microplastic pollution on the coral reef of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, finding plastic at every sampled beach and in reef sediments. The research demonstrates that even remote Pacific island coral reefs receive significant plastic contamination from oceanic gyres and local sources.
Microplastic pollution in a rapidly changing world: Implications for remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the growing body of evidence on microplastic pollution reaching remote and vulnerable marine ecosystems far from major human activities. The study highlights that these ecosystems, already under stress from climate change, face additional threats from microplastic contamination whose long-term biological and ecological effects remain poorly understood.
The presence of microplastics in fishes of South Maldives
Researchers found microplastics in the gut, gills, and flesh of two fish species collected from South Maldives, with 80% of one species containing plastic particles, indicating widespread ingestion by reef fish in this remote island nation and potential transfer into the human food chain.
Assessment of microplastic pollution in corals, seawater, and marine sediments in the Gulf of Thailand
Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence, abundance, and characteristics in coral, seawater, and sediment samples from two reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand, detecting microplastics in all coral samples at concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 2.60 particles per gram and finding spatial variability across reef species and sites.
Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Coral Reefs at Penimbangan Waters
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics in coral reef tissues and sediments at Penimbangan Beach, finding MPs in all 12 coral samples analyzed. Fiber and fragment types dominated, with polymers matching common fishing and packaging materials, reflecting local pollution inputs to the reef ecosystem.
Environmental implications of microplastic pollution in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Researchers assessed microplastic concentrations, distribution, and characteristics across the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, finding widespread contamination with significant spatial variation and identifying environmental implications for marine ecosystems in this understudied region.
Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across fore reef, reef flat, and beach sediment environments surrounding a small inhabited coral island in the Maldives, finding 1,244 individual microplastic pieces across 22 sampling sites. The study reveals that even remote inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean show significant microplastic contamination, with spatial distribution patterns reflecting local hydrodynamics and human activities.
Distribution and biological implications of plastic pollution on the fringing reef of Mo’orea, French Polynesia
This study found plastic pollution at every sampled site on the fringing coral reef of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, with microplastics distributed throughout the reef and lagoon sediments. The research documents plastic contamination of a remote Pacific reef ecosystem and discusses possible effects on reef-building corals and associated species.
Distribution and biological implications of plastic pollution on the fringing reef of Mo’orea, French Polynesia
This study documented the distribution and biological impacts of plastic pollution on the fringing coral reef of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, finding plastics throughout the ecosystem including entanglement of corals with macroplastics. The results show that even remote, protected coral reefs are affected by the global plastic pollution crisis.
Microplastics as a sedimentary component in reef systems: A case study from the Java Sea
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in sediments from two tropical atoll reef platforms in Indonesia. The study found that microplastics are a component of reef sediments, with distribution patterns influenced by reef geomorphology and hydrodynamic processes, highlighting the need to better understand how microplastics accumulate in coral reef systems and their potential impacts on reef health.
Chemical identification of microplastics in marine organisms from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
Researchers chemically identified microplastics found in marine organisms from the Ryukyu Archipelago in Okinawa, Japan, a region identified as a hotspot for plastic pollution threatening coral reef ecosystems. The study characterized the types and abundance of microplastics ingested by reef-associated organisms, providing baseline data for a heavily affected Pacific region.
Plastic threats to coral reefs: A strategic management perspective from Bali's marine protected areas
Researchers assessed plastic debris levels in coral reef ecosystems at two marine protected areas in Bali, finding both macroplastics and microplastics present despite their protected status. Coral health was evaluated using underwater photo transects, and plastic particles were identified through Raman spectroscopy. The study highlights that marine protected areas alone are insufficient to prevent plastic pollution from reaching vulnerable reef ecosystems.
Microplastics in remote coral reef environments of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea: Source, accumulation and potential risk
Scientists mapped microplastic contamination across 13 islands in the remote Xisha Islands of the South China Sea and found an average of 682 particles per kilogram of sediment. The study identified local sewage, fishing waste, and industrial runoff from nearby countries as the main sources. This shows that even remote coral reef ecosystems far from population centers are not safe from microplastic pollution.
Unraveling the invisible threat of microplastics to Lakshadweep Coral Atolls, Indian Ocean: Multifaceted ecological risk and pollution profiling
Microplastic contamination in the waters around the Lakshadweep Islands (a remote Indian Ocean archipelago) was documented for the first time. The detection of microplastics in this relatively pristine and ecologically sensitive location underscores the reach of plastic pollution across the global ocean.
Investigating the composition and distribution of microplastics surface biofilms in coral areas
Researchers investigated the composition and distribution of microbial biofilms on microplastic surfaces collected from coral reef areas. The study found that microplastics harbor distinct microbial communities including potentially pathogenic species, raising concerns that microplastic pollution may contribute to coral disease by serving as vectors for harmful microorganisms in reef ecosystems.
Reef‐building corals act as long‐term sink for microplastic
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.
Microplastic contamination in coral reef fish larvae: ecological and oceanographic features influence exposure risk.
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in coral reef fish larvae, finding that ecological and oceanographic features such as larval aggregation processes and proximity to plastic accumulation zones significantly influence the degree of microplastic exposure risk for larval fish.
High levels of microplastics and microrubber pollution in a remote, protected Mediterranean Cladocora caespitosa coral bed
Researchers discovered high levels of microplastic and microrubber pollution in sediments surrounding a protected Cladocora caespitosa coral bed in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The study suggests that even protected marine areas with coral communities are not immune to plastic contamination, raising concerns about the ecological impact on these already threatened reef ecosystems.
The microscopic threat with a macroscopic impact: Microplastics along the southeast Florida reef tract
Researchers sampled surface and bottom waters along the Southeast Florida Reef Tract over six months, finding 1,204 microplastic items across seven polymer types, with significantly more plastic at the surface than the seafloor. Five additional chemical contaminants were detected on the plastics, confirming that microplastics act as vectors for hazardous substances near fragile coral reef ecosystems. The study calls for both improved plastic waste management and active clean-up to protect these reefs.
Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos
Researchers sampled water and seafood across 453,000 square kilometers of the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos Islands, finding microplastics in 100% of water samples and in every species of fish, squid, and shrimp collected. This confirms that microplastic contamination is pervasive even in remote ocean regions, raising concerns for both marine ecosystems and human food safety.