What is one significant impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems?

Plastic pollution significantly impacts marine ecosystems primarily through habitat degradation and the harm it causes to marine life. Large pieces of plastic debris can physically damage habitats, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal environments, leading to a decline in the quality of these ecosystems. For instance, when plastics accumulate in these habitats, they can block sunlight, which is essential for photosynthetic organisms, thereby disrupting the food chain.

Additionally, marine organisms can become entangled in larger pieces of plastic or mistake small plastic particles for food, resulting in ingestion. This can lead to injury, illness, or even death of marine species. Toxic chemicals associated with plastics can also leach into the water, further affecting the health of marine life and the broader ecosystem.

Overall, the pervasive presence of plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine biodiversity and ecosystem stability, making habitat degradation and harm to marine life a primary concern in marine science.