Questions about the risks of shipping coal through the Great Barrier Reef have been raised after a study showed coal dust released into seawater kills corals and slows seagrass and fish growth.

Research led by scientists at James Cook University in Townsville in north Queensland has found corals exposed to the highest concentrations of coal dust died within two weeks.

The scientists mimicked the exposure of marine species to coal dust by adding carefully controlled amounts of fine coal particles and measured their responses over time.

"Corals exposed to lower concentrations of coal lasted longer, but most of them also died after four weeks of exposure," researcher Kathryn Berry said.

"The coal didn't kill seagrass or fish, but it stunted their growth by half compared to clean water."

In Australia, more than 60,000 tonnes of coal remained on board the Shen Neng 1 when it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef off Gladstone in 2010.

"While the likelihood of a major spill on a coral reef or seagrass meadow is low, we are now beginning to understand the likely consequences," Dr Andrew Negri said.

"This research will allow decision makers to understand the risks to marine life to identify the species that are most vulnerable."

It is hoped the results will lead to safer methods of shipping coal around the world.

Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche said the industry was concerned about the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef and he welcomed additional studies into its protection.

But he argued the World Heritage Area was one of the most highly regulated and protected shipping zones in the world.

"As an island nation we have to ship our product abroad which is why we have faith in our highly effective monitoring system REEFVTS," he said.

"This system is a 24/7 protection of the reef similar to the air traffic control system that controls aviation."

The findings by scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) at JCU and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies have been published in Nature Scientific Reports.