A research team at Waterloo Engineering has taken an important step in the protection of fragile coral reefs by uncovering how and why microplastics in the ocean stick to them.
For the first time, the researchers identified mucus naturally secreted by coral as the mechanism responsible for accumulation of the harmful pollutants on reefs, diverse ecosystems that provide food, shelter and breeding grounds for millions of species.
The team took a fresh approach to the problem using nanotechnology, creating a simulated environment to mimic an actual coral reef and pinpoint the mucus, which has strong adhesive characteristics, as the culprit.
“This discovery is critical because it helps us understand how microplastics attach to coral ecosystems, which is vital for developing effective removal strategies,” said Dr. Boxin Zhao, a chemical engineering professor and member of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology.
Go to Uncovering how harmful microplastics stick to coral reefs for the full story.