The GBR is clogged with microplastics from clothing and furniture

Australian and Danish scientists investigating microplastics in the reef found widespread contamination of the central GBR with microdebris, 86 per cent of which consisted of synthetic polyester and nylon microfibres from clothing and furninshings, rather than from fishing gear. The microplastics are likely to make their way into the inshore surface waters of the GBR via rivers, say the authors, who suggest reducing the sources of microdebris should be a priority in reef conservation.