How does plastic pollution primarily affect aquatic life?

Plastic pollution primarily affects aquatic life by causing entanglement and disrupting ecosystems. When plastic debris enters aquatic environments, it can wrap around marine animals, leading to serious injuries or even death. Many species, including turtles and seabirds, may ingest plastic or become immobilized by it, resulting in suffocation, starvation, or decreased reproductive success. This physical harm not only threatens individual species but also has broader implications for the health of ecosystems. The presence of plastics can disrupt food chains and decrease population numbers, ultimately affecting the balance and functionality of aquatic ecosystems.

In contrast, while plastic may influence water temperatures or habitat conditions, the most immediate and lethal impact relates to the direct interaction of wildlife with plastic debris, making entanglement and ecosystem disruption a primary concern regarding plastic pollution in aquatic environments.