News Environment Corals may store a surprising amount of microplastics in their skeletons It’s unclear what effect the sequestering might have on reef health Corals can store tiny plastic particles in their skeletons. Worldwide, corals may trap up to 3 percent of all microplastics in surrounding, shallow waters every year, scientists estimate. ifish/istock/getty images plus Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Rebecca Dzombak November 29, 2021 at 9:00 am A surprising amount of plastic pollution in the ocean may wind up in a previously overlooked spot: the skeletons of living corals.