Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Oceanography Practice Test 2026 - Free Oceanography Practice Questions and Study Guide

The main impact of plastic pollution on marine life is centered around ingestion, entanglement, and habitat degradation. Marine organisms, such as fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, often mistake plastic waste for food. When they ingest plastic debris, it can lead to physical harm, internal injuries, or death due to blockages and malnutrition.

Entanglement is another critical issue, where animals can become caught in plastic items like fishing nets and six-pack rings, restricting their movement, leading to injury, or even drowning. Additionally, plastic pollution can degrade marine habitats. For instance, larger pieces of plastic can smother coral reefs, negatively impacting the biodiversity and overall health of these essential ecosystems.

While other choices presented might touch on related oceanographic phenomena, they do not encapsulate the severe and direct impacts that plastic pollution has on marine organisms and their ecosystems as effectively as the ingestion, entanglement, and habitat degradation does.