Marine animals may eat plastic rubbish in the sea because an additive found in common items such as water bottles and yoghurt pots lead them to mistake the debris for food. A study using hermit crabs has shown their respiration rate increases significantly in response to low concentrations of oleamide and that they are attracted to the materials. Oleamide, an additive found in a range of plastic bottles and food packaging, bears a strong resemblance to oleic acid, which is released by some decomposing sea creatures. Leaching of this additive may therefore play a significant role in the attraction of marine life to plastic.

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