Buried microplastics changed how a harbour seabed handled a storm

University of Auckland researchers buried small pieces of polyester netting in Mahurangi Harbour's seabed across 48 experimental plots and tracked oxygen use and nutrient flows before and after severe weather. Published in Scientific Reports, the results show plastic-contaminated sediments responded differently to strong winds and heavy rain than clean areas, suggesting pollution can disrupt processes that keep coastal ecosystems working.