What are some consequences of plastic pollution?

Plastic pollution has significant and detrimental effects on various ecosystems and wildlife. The correct answer highlights several key consequences, starting with soil and water contamination. Plastics do not biodegrade easily; instead, they break down into smaller particles known as microplastics, which can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and water systems. This contamination can affect plant growth and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

Harm to wildlife is another critical aspect. Many animals, including birds, fish, and marine mammals, can ingest plastic materials, mistaking them for food. This ingestion can lead to physical harm, nutritional deficiencies, and often, death. For example, sea turtles are known to consume plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, which can lead to their demise.

Ingestion by marine animals is one of the notable consequences of plastic pollution, as it poses a direct threat to their health and survival. Plastics can accumulate in the food chain, impacting not only individual species but entire ecosystems.

The other options suggest outcomes that are either beneficial or unrelated to plastic pollution, providing misleading perspectives that don't accurately reflect the severe environmental challenges posed by plastic waste. Such incorrect options mention benefits like improved soil fertility or increased oxygen levels which do not occur due to plastic pollution; rather, the reverse