Researchers discover 'plasticorals' in Okinawa, a new form of plastic pollution

Discovery in Okinawa

During routine beach litter surveys on the subtropical island of Okinawa, Japan, researchers found small, brightly colored specks within pale coral rubble. These specks were later identified as a new form of plastic pollution.

Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses confirmed that these specks are melted polymers from common household plastics. These plastics have seeped inseparably into the skeletal pores of the dead coral pieces.

Introducing 'Plasticorals'

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) and the University of the Ryukyus have named this new form of pollution 'plasticorals'. First author Dr. Ifenna Ilechukwu and senior author Professor James D. Reimer described this discovery in a paper published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Plasticorals are a type of plastiglomerate, which are hybrid debris formed from plastic and naturally occurring materials. They signify the lasting impact of plastic pollution on reef ecosystems.

Impact on Reef Ecosystems

Coral rubble plays important roles in reef health, providing stable substrates for new corals and shelter for juvenile fish and marine life. The presence of plasticorals could disrupt these functions.

While the exact origin and specific toxic effects are still under investigation, previous studies indicate that chemicals from common polymers disrupt coral propagation. Plastic pieces have also been shown to harbor coral pathogens and move up the marine food chain.

Plastic's Persistent Legacy

Plastic is the third-most widely manufactured material globally. Unlike cement and steel, which degrade over millennia, plastic persists for significantly longer periods.

This persistence suggests that future geologists may identify a distinct plastic layer in the Earth's crust from the period after the 1950s, often referred to as the Plasticene.