What is a risk of plastic entanglement on coral reefs?
Plastic sheets, lines, and nets entangled on coral reefs can cover living tissue and restrict water movement. Shading reduces light available to photosynthetic symbiotic algae, while reduced circulation limits oxygen exchange and waste removal, especially at night or within boundary layers. Abrasion also wounds tissue. These stresses make light and oxygen deprivation plausible consequences, not enhanced photosynthesis, fertilisation, or reproduction. Standardised sampling and contamination controls are essential because airborne fibres can enter samples during collection and laboratory process
Ref: Campbell Biology, Urry et al., 12th Ed., Unit 8 Ecology