COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Why do seabirds eat plastic? The answer stinks
Description: If it smells like food, and looks like food, it must be food, right? Not in the case of ocean-faring birds that are sometimes found with bellies full of plastic. But very little research examines why birds make the mistake of eating plastic in the first place. According to a new study marine plastic debris emits the scent of a sulfurous compound that some seabirds have relied upon for thousands of years to tell them where to find food. This olfactory cue essentially tricks the birds into confusing marine plastic with food. [Source: University of California]
URL: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-do-seabirds-eat-plastic-answer-stinks
Availability: Full Text
Source: University of California
Publish Date: 11/9/2016
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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