Extent and reproduction of coastal species on plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
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Scientists have found that 37 coastal species have colonized and are living on more than 70% of plastic debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (North Pacific Subtropical Gyre), and evidence of these species’ reproduction. The researchers have concluded that coastal species persist now in the open ocean as a substantial component of a neopelagic (floating deep-ocean) community sustained by the vast and expanding sea of plastic debris.
