Effects on Marine Life

Over the past years the amount of broken down plastic found in the Great Garbage patch has increased significantly.Plastic is a magnet for toxic chemicals like DDT and PCB that exist in seawater. Besides causing toxic effects on the marine life, it is also mistaken by the endocrine system as estradiol  which causes hormone distribution. 

Marine trash, mainly plastic, is killing more than a million sea birds and a hundred thousand mammals and sea turtles each year. Plastic bags and polystyrene foam has been found in stomachs of dead sea lions dolphins, turtles and other marine life.

 Researchers have found that an insect that skims the waters of the ocean, have began to lay their eggs on the plastic debris. scientists are worried that due to these circumstances, it may harm the habitat of these insects.

 http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2004/06/63699