Curtin Malaysia researchers highlight hidden threat of microplastics to mangrove ecosystems

Miri, Sarawak – 24 October 2026 – Mangroves are vital natural defences against coastal erosion and powerful allies in the fight against climate change, but their ability to trap pollutants may also make them repositories for microplastics.

Researchers at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) are highlighting the need for greater understanding of how these tiny plastic particles accumulate in mangrove ecosystems and what this could mean for their long-term health.

The research team, comprising Audrey Primus, Professor Tony Hadibarata and Dr. Muhammad Noor Hazwan Jusoh from Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, conducted a review of existing research into the sources, characteristics and potential impacts of microplastics in mangrove environments.

Titled “Accumulation of Microplastics in Mangrove Ecosystems: Source, Properties and Impacts for Conservation”, the review was published in Environmental Sustainability in May 2026.

It comes amid growing global attention on mangrove conservation, with the Global Mangrove Alliance’s 2026 State of the World’s Mangroves report highlighting scientific advances in understanding plastic pollution and other pressures on these ecosystems.

Covering approximately 15 million hectares worldwide, mangroves provide essential ecological services, including carbon storage, coastal protection and habitats that sustain biodiversity and coastal livelihoods. Yet, findings from the review indicate that microplastic contamination has been reported in mangrove surface waters and sediments across multiple regions.

Fibres and fragments were among the most commonly reported forms of microplastics, while polypropylene and polyethylene were frequently identified polymers. The review also highlights how mangrove sediments can act as long-term reservoirs for these particles, which have been detected in mangrove-associated wildlife, including fish, crabs and bivalves.

Dr. Muhammad Noor Hazwan said the ability of mangrove environments to trap and retain materials makes it important to understand how microplastics enter, move through and accumulate within these ecosystems.

“Understanding how microplastics enter, move, and accumulate within mangrove systems is important for improving monitoring and conservation efforts,” he said.

The researchers stressed that more consistent sampling methods and analytical techniques are needed to enable meaningful comparisons between studies. Further investigation is also required to establish the long-term effects of microplastics on mangrove vegetation, wildlife and the ecological functions that make these habitats so valuable.

For Audrey, the review contributes to a growing body of knowledge on the relationship between plastic pollution and coastal ecosystem health.

“Mangroves play an important role in coastal ecosystems, and understanding the presence and behaviour of microplastics within these environments can help strengthen future research and conservation efforts,” she said.

The research supports Curtin Malaysia’s ongoing work in environmental engineering and sustainability, particularly in investigating emerging pollutants and their implications for aquatic and coastal ecosystems.

The review is openly accessible through Environmental Sustainability.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

A mangrove-associated river system in Miri, Sarawak.

Audrey Primus conducts hydrological measurements at a mangrove-associated river monitoring site in Miri.