The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Isn’t Empty, It’s Becoming a Floating Habitat

Once seen as a barren plastic wasteland, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now a thriving habitat for coastal species. These organisms, previously confined to shorelines, are establishing persistent, multi-generational communities on durable plastic debris. This unexpected 'neopelagic' ecosystem, however, raises concerns about invasive species and altered food webs, highlighting the complex ecological impact of pollution.