Researchers at the University of California San Diego report an dramatic increase in the plastic component of the great Pacific garbage patch which is an area about the size of Texas, USA, comprising all manner of mulched garbage, debris and plastic.
A small insect, the sea strider normally lays its eggs on floating marine debris such as seabird feathers, shells and tar lumps close to land. The increase in small pieces of degrading plastic has provided the sea strider with a new breeding ground on the open ocean. Since the insects' diet includes tiny animals like zooplankton and fish eggs, they could cause a disruption of the oceanic food web over time.
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