Climate

Microplastics pollute nearly two-thirds of corals in Malaysia’s marine protected area, study finds

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Briefings

A study published in Regional Studies in Marine Science found that 64% of coral fragments from Pulau Redang Marine Park in Malaysia contained microplastics. Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu sampled 200 coral pieces from five reef sites between 2026. The findings indicate that microplastics, ranging from 5 millimeters or smaller, have settled into coral skeletons, a discovery that highlights the extent of plastic pollution in protected marine environments.

Key points

• Researchers from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu sampled 200 coral fragments from five reef sites in Pulau Redang Marine Park.
• 64% of the sampled coral fragments contained microplastics, with particles ranging from 5 millimeters or smaller.

Context

Pulau Redang Marine Park, designated as a marine protected area since 1985, is located in the southern South China Sea. The study by Ong Chai Kee and colleagues examined the impact of microplastics on coral health within this protected zone.

Limitations

The study covers only five reef sites in Pulau Redang Marine Park, limiting geographic scope. Data collection occurred in 2026, and the study is a preprint in Regional Studies in Marine Science, meaning it may not be fully peer-reviewed or finalized.

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