Scientists say it's no coincidence that marine life, especially turtles, eat plastic waste...
On the Economist page, Dr. Joseph Pfaller - University of Florida (USA) and leader of the research team, said that plastic bags floating in the ocean are like jellyfish, not only in shape but also in scent.

He explained, when put into the ocean, over time plastic waste will smell like food.
This process takes place when bacteria and algae affect plastic waste, soon making the plastic lose its inherent chemical smell, turning it into a more natural smell.
This is considered an olfactory "trap", making ocean animals, especially sea turtles, easy to accidentally swallow. Whales, and seabirds ... are also species that often mistakenly eat plastic waste debris.

"Plastic waste attracts creatures from afar, not only because of its shape but also because it tastes very much like food in nature," said Dr. Pfaller.
Scientists came to this conclusion after testing on 15 captive sea turtles. They had the turtles smell their food and ocean plastic waste, and recorded their reactions. As a result, they see waste as food.

The study was published in the prestigious scientific journal Current Biology. This finding partly helps to explain why many animals are vulnerable and even die from plastic waste.
"Every plastic straw and plastic bag in the ocean over time will have a special smell that attracts animals to eat. This is also the cause of many sea turtle deaths," according to Dr. Pfaller.
Before that, a study by the University of Exeter in 2018 also showed that more than 100 sea turtles surveyed all contained more or less plastic waste inside their bodies.
The study also predicts 99% of seabirds will eat plastic waste by 2050.

Via: tuoitre.vn
Reference image: RED Comic