New plastic pollution discovered: 'Plasticorals' coral rubble fused with plastic

Automated excerpt

‘Plasticorals’, coral rubble fused with plastic, are long-lasting reminders of human activity and highlight a potential threat to critical marine environments. During routine beach litter surveys on the subtropical island of Okinawa, Japan, researchers came across small, brightly colored specks in the pale coral rubble. A type of plastiglomerate — hybrid debris formed from plastic and naturally occurring materials — they represent the long-lasting impact of plastic pollution on reef ecosystems that are already threatened by climate change and other human activities.

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