The environmental impacts of the GPGP are profound:
1. Marine Life: Marine animals, such as sea turtles and birds, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion, entanglement, and often death. 2. Ecosystem Disruption: The ingestion of plastics can introduce toxic chemicals into the marine food web, disrupting ecosystems. 3. Habitat Damage: Coral reefs and other marine habitats can be physically damaged by floating debris.