Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a major problem for our planet, with around 270,000 tonnes of plastic floating on the surface of our oceans and much more drifting below the surface. Plastic waste is having a devastating impact on marine life, and recent studies have shown that it is smothering 92% of coral reefs, including some of the most remote and uninhabited ones. The impact of plastic on coral reefs has been largely ignored until now, but research has shown that plastic debris promotes the development of diseases in coral reefs, with the risk of disease up to 22 times greater on reefs polluted by plastic. Plastic waste also causes physical damage to coral tissue and can block sunlight, creating low-oxygen conditions that allow diseases to flourish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of coral reefs affected by plastic debris | 92% |
| Types of plastic debris | Plastic bags, bottles, fishing gear (ropes, long lines, nets) |
| Impact on corals | Suffocation, increased likelihood of disease, physical damage to coral tissue, ingestion of plastic, reduced growth |
| Impact on other marine life | Entanglement, ingestion of plastic, "ghost fishing" |
| Factors influencing plastic pollution on reefs | Proximity to populated areas, depth of reefs, ocean currents |
| Microplastics | Tiny plastic particles (5mm) that can be ingested by corals, absorb toxins, and cause internal damage |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic debris smothers and kills coral reefs
Coral reefs are facing a growing threat from plastic pollution. Marine debris, including plastic waste, is known to smother and kill coral reefs. A recent study found that plastic debris was smothering 92% of the coral reefs examined. The plastic waste, including bottles, bags, cups, and fishing gear, was found to be entangled in the coral, hindering its ability to feed and reproduce.
Plastic debris can carry bacteria and pathogens, which contribute to the development of diseases in coral reefs. The risk of disease in coral reefs contaminated with plastic can be up to 22 times higher than in unpolluted reefs. Plastic waste can also physically damage coral tissue, creating openings for infections. The complex and branched structure of some coral species makes them more susceptible to retaining plastic debris, increasing the risk of infection and disease.
The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs is a global issue. A four-year study in the Pacific Ocean found heavy plastic contamination in reefs across Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Additionally, a survey of 150 reefs worldwide revealed that plastic pollution was a common issue, with plastic debris found in Asian waters and the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to over half of the world's coral reefs.
The Northwestern Hawaiian Island reefs are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution due to their central location in the North Pacific gyre. Efforts to remove marine debris from these reefs have been ongoing, with over 500 tons of debris cleared between 2000 and 2006. However, the constant influx of plastic waste into the oceans continues to pose a significant threat to these fragile ecosystems.
The presence of plastic debris in coral reefs is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. The degradation of coral reefs not only affects the rich biodiversity they support but also has economic and ecological implications. It is essential to address the root causes of plastic pollution and explore sustainable alternatives to protect and preserve these valuable ecosystems for future generations.
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Plastic waste promotes the spread of coral diseases
Plastic waste is a major threat to coral reefs, and it is now understood that plastic pollution is causing the spread of coral diseases. A recent study found that plastic debris was smothering 92% of the coral reefs examined, including some of the most remote and uninhabited ones. This plastic waste is often in the form of fishing gear, such as ropes, long lines, and nets, which get entangled and stuck in the reef.
The impact of plastic on coral reefs had been overlooked until recently, perhaps due to the distance of coral reefs from plastic sources. However, it is now known that plastic debris can carry many bacteria, including pathogens that cause coral disease. These pathogens can be transferred within and between reefs, promoting the spread of disease and increasing the risk of infection.
The risk of disease can be up to 22 times greater on a reef polluted by plastic than on an unpolluted reef. Some of the most common coral diseases, such as skeletal eroding band, white syndromes, black band, growth anomalies, brown band, and atramentous necrosis, are more prevalent on reefs contaminated by plastics. These diseases can be spread through physical damage to coral tissue, as well as through the presence of pathogens on plastic debris.
Additionally, it is believed that corals may voluntarily ingest plastic due to the chemical additives present, which further promotes the development of diseases. The complex and branched shape of some coral species also makes them more likely to retain plastic debris, increasing their risk of infection. The presence of plastic waste also stresses coral through light deprivation, toxin release, and anoxia, further exacerbating the impact of disease.
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$24.27
Microplastics are ingested by corals, impacting their health
Coral reefs are incredibly valuable, covering less than 1% of the Earth's surface while housing 25% of the world's biodiversity. However, reefs are under threat from both natural and human-made stressors, including plastic pollution.
Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size, have been identified as a significant threat to coral health. One of the primary ways microplastics affect corals is through ingestion. Corals are opportunistic feeders, capturing small prey with their tentacles. Unfortunately, microplastics fall into the optimal size category of coral prey, meaning they ingest these plastics along with their food. This ingestion can lead to microplastics accumulating and fragmenting inside coral tissue, ultimately deteriorating their health.
Recent studies by EPA scientists have found that long-term exposure to microplastics impairs the growth of corals. They used specialized lab equipment to estimate the corals' 3-D surface areas using 2-D photogrammetry, a non-destructive method that allows researchers to measure the growth rate of corals without harming them.
The ingestion of microplastics could block the corals' digestive tracts, leaving them feeling full or preventing the digestion of their natural diet. Additionally, microplastics adhering to coral tissue may prevent them from capturing prey or cause them to waste energy removing the plastics.
The impact of microplastics on coral health is a growing concern, and further research is needed to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which they affect coral physiology and the long-term consequences of exposure.
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Plastic fishing gear damages reefs and continues to kill marine life
Coral reefs are valuable for their economic, ecological, and cultural benefits. They cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface but house 25% of the world’s biodiversity. Unfortunately, they are under threat from natural and human-made stressors, including plastic pollution.
Plastic fishing gear, such as nets, lines, and ropes, is a significant contributor to the plastic pollution that is smothering and killing coral reefs. In a study of 84 reefs across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, researchers found that plastic debris was present on 92% of the reefs, with plastic fishing gear being the most common type of trash. This gear gets entangled and stuck in the reef, damaging the coral and creating an ongoing threat to marine life.
The phenomenon of "ghost fishing" occurs when abandoned fishing gear continues to ensnare marine animals, leading to injuries or death through exhaustion, predation, or starvation. Ghost gear can also physically damage marine habitats, alter the composition of marine sediments, and disrupt feeding and breeding grounds. It is a leading cause of drowning and death in marine mammals, with plastic pollution and fishing gear killing more than 300,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales every year.
The impact of plastic on coral reefs is not limited to physical damage and entanglement. Plastic debris also promotes the development of diseases in coral, with the risk of disease being up to 22 times greater on reefs polluted by plastic. Plastic can carry pathogens and bacteria that cause coral disease, and contact between debris and corals can cause physical injury to coral tissues, making them more susceptible to infection.
The problem of plastic fishing gear damaging coral reefs and killing marine life is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. It is essential to take action to reduce plastic consumption, improve recycling practices, and hold the fishing and plastics industries accountable for the harm their products cause.
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Plastic pollution affects coral growth and development
Coral reefs are incredibly valuable, housing 25% of the world's biodiversity while covering less than 1% of the Earth's surface. However, reefs are under threat from human-made stressors such as plastic pollution.
A study in the Pacific Ocean found that plastic waste was sickening and killing reefs from Thailand to Australia. The plastic waste included bags, bottles, diapers, cotton swabs, and wrappers. Another study found that plastic debris sits atop almost 92% of the reefs they studied, including some of the most remote and uninhabited ones. The majority of the plastic debris was plastic fishing gear, such as ropes, lines, and nets, which get entangled and stuck in the reef.
Plastic pollution can impact coral reefs in several ways. Firstly, plastic debris can physically damage coral tissue, promoting the development of diseases. Plastic debris can also carry pathogens, increasing the risk of infection and the spread of disease. In addition, plastic can block sunlight from reaching the coral, and microplastics can impair coral growth by blocking their digestive tracts or preventing them from capturing prey.
The impact of plastic pollution on coral reefs is a growing concern, and further research is needed to fully understand the extent of the damage. However, it is clear that reducing plastic consumption and properly recycling and disposing of waste are crucial steps in protecting these valuable ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste is smothering coral reefs, trapping marine life and blocking sunlight. Plastic debris also promotes the development of diseases, increasing the risk of infection by carrying pathogens within and between reefs.
The plastic waste that smothers reefs often entangles and traps marine life, continuing to catch fish even after being discarded—a phenomenon known as "ghost fishing". This waste also blocks sunlight from reaching the corals, creating low-oxygen conditions that allow diseases to flourish.
A study by marine biologist Hudson Pinheiro found that plastic fishing debris made up the majority of waste found in coral reefs, including ropes, long lines, and nets.
Plastic can carry pathogens and act as a vector for diseases. The bacteria that trigger outbreaks of white syndrome, for example, colonize plastic. The low-light and low-oxygen conditions created when plastic settles on coral are also ideal for microbes that cause black band disease to flourish.
Plastic waste in coral reefs often comes from populated areas, transported via rivers, tides, or storm drains. A study found that plastic pollution was denser on reefs near cities and markets, with more people producing more plastic waste.
