July 2018
Microplastic in corals
Close-up of a coral interacting with microplastic (black); Photo: Jessica Reichert.
In a model study, corals interacted with plastic particles, some even misstook it for food. After four weeks, 5 out of 6 investigated species showed bleaching and necrosis of coral tissue. Further studies should test whether negative effects of microplastic will occur at ambient plastic concentrations.
For more information:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Wilke, Systematics and Biodiversity