Plastic Abundance Research Articles

Plastic pollution in the aquatic environment of southern Iraq: What do we know about its abundance and distribution?

Plastic pollution of the riverine environment has become a global environmental concern due to its potential ecological and biological impacts. Plastics have potentially adverse impacts on ecosystems due to the persistent organic pollutants that may accumulate on them whereas residing in the aquatic, or the chemical additives used to make many plastic products. While plastic products are highly present in the environments of southern Iraq, there are no studies providing a summary of their distribution and abundance in this region. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the distribution and abundance of plastic at different sites of Shatt Al-Arab River. To assess microplastic (MP) abundance and distribution in sediments of the study sites, the quantification and morphology of microplastics were performed. The findings of the current study showed that the fiber particles were the most dominant shape (67%), followed by film shape (19.6%) and fragments (13%). The highest numbers of microplastics particles were present in sediments close to populous cities and effluent discharge. Overall, this study suggested that the sediments from the Shatt Al-Arab River were contaminated with MPs. Additionally, our results highlight the importance of investigating the MP particles across other sites in southern Iraq, to assess and reduce their risks on organisms and ecosystems in the future.

The coastal waters of the south-east Bay of Biscay a dead-end for neustonic plastics

Numerical models point to the south-east Bay of Biscay as a convergence area for floating particles, including plastics. The few existing studies on plastic abundance in the area mainly focus on open waters and yet information on the coastal area is limited. To fill this gap, neustonic samples were taken along the coastal waters of the south-east Bay of Biscay (2017–2020) to define the spatial distribution of plastic abundances and composition. Results show an average plastic abundance of 739,395 ± 2,625,271 items/km2 (998 ± 4338 g/km2). French waters were more affected, with five times higher plastic abundances than Spanish coasts. Microplastics represented 93 % of the total abundance of plastic items (28 % in weight), mesoplastics 7 % (26 %) and macroplastics 1 % (46 %). This study demonstrates that this area is a hotspot for plastic with levels in coastal waters similar to those in the Mediterranean Sea or other litter aggregation areas.

Plastics derived from disposable greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes in agricultural soils: a case study from Turkey.

Plastics are ubiquitous. It has been used in human activities, from agriculture to packaging, infrastructure, and health. The wide range of usage makes plastics an omnipresent pollutant in the environment. This study investigated the abundance and type of plastics in agricultural soil in the Adana/Karataş region in Turkey, where disposable low-tunnel greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes were in use. For this purpose, 1 kg of soil samples from the top 5 cm (from the surface) was taken from 10 different sampling locations. An average of 16.5 ± 2.4 pcs/kg was found in the soil samples. The highest amount of plastics was seen at the Bahçe-4 location with 39.7 ± 12 pcs/kg and the lowest amount of plastics at the Karataş-1 location with 0.7 ± 0.3 pcs/kg. The average size of plastics was found to be 18.2 ± 1.3 mm. The average size of plastics originating from greenhouse cover was 18.9 ± 1.4 mm, and from disposable irrigation pipes was 12.5 ± 3.5 mm. It was determined that 41.9% of extracted plastics were microplastics, 36.3% were mesoplastics, 16.3% were macroplastics, and 5.6% were megaplastics. Results indicated that residual plastics decreased in the soil where used plastics were removed after usage. As a result, it is worth noting that a significant amount of plastics remain in soil due to plastics being used in agricultural areas.

Assessment of macro litter in Deli River Medan during pandemic COVID-19

This study identifies and quantifies floating macro litter and macro plastic from Deli River Medan during pandemic Covid-19. Macro litter transport consists of floating items at surface, suspended in water column and transport over on riverbed. Litter was collected from 5 location along 11.6 km using static trawls with a height of 150 cm and width of 300 cm with a square mesh size of 0.5 cm. Sampling was done in July, and during selection, 40 cm of net’s height was constantly submerged for one hour. This study found that macro litter was 19.26 kg/h with 65.2% as anthropogenic waste, 34.3% as macro plastic, 0.3% as metal, and 0.15% as medical waste. The composition of macro plastic has various variants, namely food containers, plastic bags, food packaging, sanitary packaging, and mineral water packaging with percentages of 10.21%, 67.89%, 8.35%, 4.36%, and 9.18%. The macro plastic abundance was obtained at 2,476 x 10-4 kg/m3. This study showed a significant increase in plastic consumption during the pandemic, especially plastic bags because it is dominated in all locations.

Temporal patterns of plastic contamination in surface waters at the SS Yongala shipwreck, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous within the marine environment, including surface waters, water column and benthic sediments. Marine plastic contamination is expected to increase if future projections of increased plastic production eventuate. Conversely, national and international efforts are aiming to reduce marine plastic contamination. In this context, scientists, managers and the general public are increasingly interested in understanding the status and temporal trends of plastic contamination in the marine environment. Presented here is the first temporal assessment of plastic contamination in surface waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Specifically, duplicate surface seawater samples (n = 66) were collected at the SS Yongala shipwreck (Central GBR) monthly from September 2016 to September 2019 and analysed for plastic presence and abundance. The processing workflow involved density separation, followed by filtration, visual identification and sizing of putative plastics using stereomicroscopy, and chemical characterisation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A total of 533 plastic items were identified across all tows, consisting of macro-, meso- and microplastic fragments and fibres, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers. Plastic contamination was detected in every replicate tow, bar one. Plastic concentrations fluctuated and spiked every three months, although contamination did not significantly alter across the three-year period. Wind speed, salinity and river discharge volume, but not surface current speed nor sea surface temperature, had a significant influence on the levels of plastic contamination. This study reveals, for the first time, the chronic presence of plastic debris in the surface waters of the GBR highlighting the need for long-term and on-going monitoring of the marine environment for plastic contamination.

Salt marshes as the final watershed fate for meso- and microplastic contamination: A case study from Southern Brazil

Plastics pose a major threat to aquatic ecosystems especially in smaller size fractions. Salt marshes play a crucial role in maintaining the coastal zone and aquatic food web, yet their contamination, including by plastic materials, is still poorly investigated. This work investigated meso- (MEP, 5–25 mm) and microplastic (MIP, 1 μm–5 mm) contamination of a salt marsh, which reached average levels of 279.63 ± 410.12 items kg−1, 366.92 ± 975.18 items kg−1, and 8.89 ± 8.75 items L−1 in surface sediment, sediment cores and water, respectively. Photomicrographs revealed a complex fouling community on plastics surface for both different salt marsh zones and plastic formats. Abundance of plastics in sediment was higher in the dryer, vegetated zones compared to flooded, unvegetated zones. This is consistent with the role of vegetation as a trap for solid litter and final fate of plastic deposition, but also with local hydrodynamics influencing deposition pattern. Plastics were detected up to 66 cm-depth, presenting higher levels at surface sediments. It was also possible to identify the main groups of microorganisms (1638 bacterial cells, 318 microalgae cells, and 20049.93 μm2 of filamentous fungi) composing the Plastisphere communities on all plastic items recorded in the different zones. These results are a pioneer contribution, highlighting that regional salt marshes participate in sequestration and longstanding accumulation of plastic particles in estuarine environments, before exportation to the ocean.

Identification, Abundance, and Chemical Characterization of Macro-, Meso-, and Microplastics in the Intertidal Zone Sediments of Two Selected Beaches in Sabah, Malaysia

This study aims to present the identification, abundance, and chemical characterization of plastics in the intertidal zone sediment of two selected beaches in Kota Kinabalu city, Sabah, Malaysia. Plastic debris was classified according to weight and size and was identified for its heavy metal concentrations and polymer types. Results showed that a higher abundance, by more than 2-fold, of plastic debris was found in Kebagu beach (28.7 g) compared to ODEC, UMS (13.4 g). FTIR analysis showed that polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the dominant plastic polymers on both beaches, followed by polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Five heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, zinc, and nickel) were detected from four types of plastics. The results showed that the concentration of Zn was higher in all four types of plastics on both beaches, with a range of 41 mg/kg–135.3 mg/kg, followed by Cr and As, while Ni was the lowest concentration detected in PE on both beaches: 5.6 mg/kg (ODEC) and 5.1 mg/kg (Kebagu stations). This study confirmed the presence of macro-, meso- and microplastics in both stations. Further studies remain necessary for a better understanding of the sources and fates of the pollutant in the marine environment. Findings from the studies of the Kota Kinabalu beaches have provided baseline data and a clearer understanding of the distribution of plastic debris. This demonstrates that commitments and actions are required to mitigate the potential risk to the ecological system and human health.

Plastics in stomachs of northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis collected at sea off east Greenland: latitude, age, sex and season

A sample of 145 stomachs from fulmars hunted 100 km offshore east Greenland 64° 30′ N in early June 2015 was analysed for abundance of plastic litter. Overall, 86% of the stomachs contained plastics with an average of 13.5 particles, and 0.14 g per stomach. A proportion of 42% of the stomachs exceeded the level of 0.1 g plastic, whereas the international policy target aims at a reduction to less than 10%. The observed quantity of ingested plastic fits a pattern of reduced plastic abundance at higher latitudes, at greater distance from densely populated and industrialised areas. A subsample of 20 fulmars of known age and sex indicated that young birds contained more plastic than adults, and females more than males. Indirect evidence from age and sex composition in the full sample supported these findings. Further confirmation was found in literature and by re-analysis of earlier datasets. Differences in colony attendance could explain the combined effects of age, sex, and possibly season on plastic abundance in the stomachs. With a consistent monitoring sampling regime, such variations do not impair the results, but for evaluation of regional patterns from incidental observations or the planning of new monitoring schemes they are important.

Plastic pollution risks in bioretention systems: a case study

ABSTRACT We investigated plastic pollution in soil-based stormwater bioretention systems (BRS), which are potentially important pollutant receptors and pathways. Our integrated study is the first of its kind, focusing on plastic abundance, size fractionation, composition, and interactions with urban metrics (including housing density and auxiliary stormwater treatment infrastructure) in BRS filter media. Our results revealed that mesoplastic (MEP) and microplastic (MP) concentrations in BRS are comparable with those reported in other stormwater systems (e.g. wetlands) as well as soils in other land use areas (e.g. agriculture). Distributional sampling within the BRS revealed MP abundances do not change with horizontal distance from the inlet to the outlet. However, MEP abundances drastically decreased towards the outlet, indicating plastic accumulation within BRS. This is important because MEPs can breakdown into MPs which can affect BRS function as well as mobilise downstream. Yet our data uncovered more complex mechanisms involved in BRS plastic fate, with composition data revealing that MPs are not simply breakdown products of MEPs but are instead derived from different sources. Composition, morphology and colour analysis confirmed that BRS polymer liners are a key source of MPs and MEPs in soil filter media. Multivariate analysis of the data with urban design metrics showed gross pollutant traps are effective at decreasing MP concentrations in BRS but not as effective at controlling MEPs. Our results point to complex plastic transmission and accumulation pathways in BRS. Interception measures can partially alleviate plastic risk, but more work is needed to elucidate plastic long-term fate in BRS.

Fate and Effects of Macro- and Microplastics in Coastal Wetlands.

Coastal wetlands trap plastics from terrestrial and marine sources, but the stocks of plastics and their impacts on coastal wetlands are poorly known. We evaluated the stocks, fate, and biological and biogeochemical effects of plastics in coastal wetlands with plastic abundance data from 112 studies. The representative abundance of plastics that occurs in coastal wetland sediments and is ingested by marine animals reaches 156.7 and 98.3 items kg-1, respectively, 200 times higher than that (0.43 items kg-1) in the water column. Plastics are more abundant in mangrove forests and tidal marshes than in tidal flats and seagrass meadows. The variation in plastic abundance is related to climatic and geographic zones, seasons, and population density or plastic waste management. The abundance of plastics ingested by pelagic and demersal fish increases with fish length and dry weight. The dominant characteristics of plastics ingested by marine animals are correlated with those found in coastal wetland sediments. Microplastics exert negative effects on biota abundance and mangrove survival but positive effects on sediment nutrients, leaf drop, and carbon emission. We highlight that plastic pollution is widespread in coastal wetlands and actions are urged to include microplastics in ecosystem health and degradation assessment.

Monitoring of plastic debris in the lower Citarum River using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Plastic pollution has become a problem in recent years. Various methods are used to reduce and prevent plastic pollution. Many methods have been used to estimate the abundance and transportation of plastics in waters, especially rivers. This paper presents the use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to observe plastic waste in river flow. Monitoring plastic debris was conducted at the downstream part of the Citarum river in the Muara Gembong sub-district, Bekasi Regency, West Java Province, on March 6, 8, and 10, 2021. The type of drone used was the DJI Phantom 3 Pro. Data analysis uses the CVAT program developed by Intel to label images. The results show differences between visual counting and UAV, visual counting has a higher value than UAV, but VC might suffer from an observer bias. The counting bias is dependent on the current and the ability of the eye. On the other hand, the results of aerial surveys during the calculation process can be reinterpreted manually or automatically and corrected again. Monitoring plastic debris using UAVs can be an alternative to observing the plastic transportation process in rivers, especially in areas that are difficult to access.

Plastic pollution: why is it a public health problem?

Plastic pollution: why is it a public health problem?

The role of citizen science in addressing plastic pollution: Challenges and opportunities

Globally, the number of citizen science clean-up projects, such as beach cleans, is increasing in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic pollution in the environment. Such activities offer the opportunity to gather insightful data on plastic abundance, distribution and composition. This information is key for informing effective management strategies aimed at reducing input but little work has been conducted to examine the challenges faced by existing citizen science projects, or the potential opportunities for maximising their impact. Here, we present the results of a questionnaire survey and follow-up workshop to explore the opinions of representatives from 20 organisations that deal with the issue of plastic pollution in the environment. Our results show that, of the organisations that conduct clean-up activities in the United Kingdom (UK), the majority collect data on plastic pollution to some extent. To ensure these data are scientifically meaningful and the necessary levels of public engagement are maintained, participants felt that survey protocols should be standardised across organisations and data submission should be as simple and easy as possible. The participants considered communication, inclusivity and volunteer diversity to be key for enhancing citizen engagement and improving data quality. Many organisations were unclear about how the information they hold can be most effectively used to help inform policies relating to managing plastic pollution. Moving forwards, there is a clear desire from clean-up organisations to collaborate with other sectors, such as commercial, policy, waste and recycling, education and technology stakeholders, as well as other non-governmental organisations and scientific researchers, to enhance the value and impact of citizen science in tackling the issue of plastic pollution.

Microplastics in the bogue, Boops boops: A snapshot of the past from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea

The present investigation focuses on Boops boops specimens gathered in the Gulf of Patti in 2010. Providing a snapshot from the past, this paper represents, chronologically, the first record of microplastic ingestion in the Mediterranean bogue. The plastic abundance and composition in gastrointestinal tracts of the bogue was assess, in order to improve the knowledge on spatial-temporal variability of microplastics pollution in the Mediterranean basin and in particular, in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. In a total of 65 specimens, 180 particles of plastic (2.8 items/specimens), mainly belonging to microplastics class, were found. Fragments (63%) and fibres (30%) were the predominant shape categories. Eleven polymers were identified: polypropylene and polyethylene were the most abundant. Several synthetic polymers belonging to the class of elastomers were also observed. The study area is strongly influenced by the absence of trawl fishing activities and a low mixing level of the seabed that, together with the confluence of different watercourses and the presence of different kind of anthropic impact, including motorway, could make it a ‘waste disposal site’. Finally, our results suggest the usefulness to retrieve older samples to better understand spatial-temporal changes in marine litter pollution over time.

Marine litter pollution on coral reefs of Darvel Bay (East Sabah, Malaysia)

Marine litter is recognized as an increasing component of marine ecosystem pollution. In this baseline study, we document the magnitude, types, sources, and potential impacts of litter on six coral reefs in East Sabah. We applied a simplified classification of litter to extract abundance data from video transects. The average density was 10.7 items per 100 m2. Plastics represent 91% and the remaining 9% were metal, glass, and wood. Most (~70%) plastics are single-use items derived from dumping. Discarded fishing gear accounts for ~25%. Litter pollution increases closer to urban developments, with Sakar reef having higher densities (51 items per 100 m2), and higher Clean Coast Index (CCI = 10.2, dirty) and higher Plastic Abundance Index (PAI = 4.68) scores. This method could and should be readily integrated into ongoing monitoring programs to support assessments of the extent and magnitude of marine litter pollution on reefs worldwide.

Microplastics in fecal samples of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and from surface water in the Philippines

Marine plastic abundance has increased over the past 60 years and microplastics (< 5 mm) constitute a primary component of such litter. Filter-feeding megafauna, such as the whale shark, might be particularly affected by microplastic pollution as their feeding mode requires filtration of up to thousands of cubic meters of water. In addition, the habitat range of whale sharks intersects with several recognized microplastic pollution hotspots, among which is the Coral Triangle. Direct evidence for microplastic ingestion in whale sharks however, has not yet been presented. Here we show that whale shark scat collected in the Philippines from 2012 to 2019 contained a mean of 2.8 microplastics g− 1. Contrary to our expectations, the microplastic concentration in the scat remained consistent from 2012 to 2019. Water samples from the study site in 2019 indicated that the local microplastic pollution (5.83 particles m− 3) was higher than in surface waters in other whale shark habitats, but well below other pollution hot-spots found in Southeast Asia and China (range: 100–4100 particles m− 3). With the predicted growth in plastic use, leading to increased plastic marine pollution, whale sharks are expected to become more exposed to this form of pollution. To what extent microplastic ingestion impacts the overall health status of this endangered species remains an open question.

Plastic Pollution and Small Juvenile Marine Turtles: A Potential Evolutionary Trap

The ingestion of plastic by marine turtles is now reported for all species. Small juvenile turtles (including post-hatchling and oceanic juveniles) are thought to be most at risk, due to feeding preferences and overlap with areas of high plastic abundance. Their remote and dispersed life stage, however, results in limited access and assessments. Here, stranded and bycaught specimens from Queensland Australia, Pacific Ocean (PO; n = 65; 1993–2019) and Western Australia, Indian Ocean (IO; n = 56; 2015–2019) provide a unique opportunity to assess the extent of plastic (&amp;gt; 1mm) ingestion in five species [green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and flatback turtles (Natator depressus)]. In the Pacific Ocean, high incidence of ingestion occurred in green (83%; n = 36), loggerhead (86%; n = 7), flatback (80%; n = 10) and olive ridley turtles (29%; n = 7). There was an overall lower incidence in IO; highest being in the flatback (28%; n = 18), the loggerhead (21%; n = 14) and green (9%; n = 22). No macroplastic debris ingestion was documented for hawksbill turtles in either site although sample sizes were smaller for this species (PO n = 5; IO n = 2). In the Pacific Ocean, the majority of ingested debris was made up of hard fragments (mean of all species 52%; species averages 46–97%), whereas for the Indian Ocean these were filamentous plastics (52%; 43–77%). The most abundant colour for both sites across all species was clear (PO: 36%; IO: 39%), followed by white for PO (36%) then green and blue for IO (16%; 16%). The polymers most commonly ingested by turtles in both oceans were polyethylene (PE; PO-58%; IO-39%) and polypropylene (PP; PO-20.2%; IO-23.5%). We frame the high occurrence of ingested plastic present in this marine turtle life stage as a potential evolutionary trap as they undertake their development in what are now some of the most polluted areas of the global oceans.

A knowledge-based, validated classifier for the identification of aliphatic and aromatic plastics by WorldView-3 satellite data

Although the CH chains of petroleum derivatives display unique absorption features in the short-wave infrared (SWIR), it is a challenge to identify plastics on terrestrial surfaces. The diverse reflectance spectra caused by chemically varying polymer types and their different kinds of brightness and transparencies, which are, moreover, influenced further by the respective surface backgrounds. This paper investigates the capability of WorldView-3 (WV-3) satellite data, characterized by a high spatial resolution and equipped with eight distinct and relatively narrow SWIR bands suitable for global monitoring of different types of plastic materials. To meet the objective, hyperspectral measurements and simulations were conducted in the laboratory and by aircraft campaigns, based on the JPL-ECOSTRESS, USGS, and inhouse hyperspectral libraries, all of which are convolved to the spectral response functions of the WV-3 system. Experiments further supported the analyses wherein different plastic materials were placed on different backgrounds, and scaled percentages of plastics per pixel were modeled to determine the minimum detectable fractions. To determine the detectability of plastics with various chemical and physical properties and different fractions against diverse backgrounds, a knowledge-based classifier was developed, the routines of which are based on diagnostic spectral features in the SWIR range. The classifier shows outstanding results on various background scenarios for lab experimental imagery as well as for airborne data and it is further able to mask non-plastic materials. Three clusters of plastic materials can clearly be identified, based on spectra and imagery: The first cluster identifies aliphatic compounds, comprising polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyamide (PA). The second and third clusters are diagnostic for aromatic hydrocarbons, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), respectively separated from polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyurethane (PU). The robustness of the classifier is examined on the basis of simulated spectra derived from our HySimCaR model, which has been developed in-house. The model simulates radiation transfer by using virtual 3D scenarios and ray tracing, hence, enables the analysis of the influence of various factors, such as material brightness, transparency, and fractional coverage as well as different background materials. We validated our results by laboratory and simulated datasets and by tests using airborne data recorded at four distinct sites with different surface characteristics. The results of the classifier were further compared to results produced by another signature-based method, the spectral angle mapper (SAM) and a commonly used technique, the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Finally, we applied and successfully tested the classifier on WV-3 imagery of sites known for a high abundance of plastics in Almeria (Spain), Cairo (Egypt), and Accra, (Ghana, West Africa). Both airborne and WV-3 data were atmospherically corrected and transferred to “at-surface reflectances”. The results prove the combination of WV-3 data and the newly designed classifier to be an efficient and reliable approach to globally monitor and identify three clusters of plastic materials at various fractions on different backgrounds.

A Comparison of Microplastic in Fish From Australia and Fiji

Awareness surrounding plastic pollution has increased significantly in the past decade, leading to concerns on potential adverse effects on biota, including the consumption of microplastic by fish. Globally, plastic has been found in many species of fish, but little research has been undertaken in the southern hemisphere. We assessed the abundance and type of plastic in fish captured and sold for human consumption in Australia and Fiji. Fish (goatfish, sea mullet, paddletail, and common coral trout) had their gastrointestinal tracts dissected and microplastic quantified under a microscope. Plastic polymer types were confirmed using μ-FTIR. In Australia, plastic was found in 61.6% of fish gastrointestinal tracts, while in Fiji, 35.3% of fish had plastic. Fish from Australia had almost double the amount of plastic on average than fish caught in Fiji, with 1.58 (± 0.23) pieces per fish in Australia compared to 0.86 (± 0.14) in fish caught in Fiji. The types of plastic differed between countries, with fibers comprising 83.6% of microplastic pieces in fish from Australia whereas 50% of microplastic found in fish from Fiji was film. Polyolefin was the most abundant polymer type in both fibers from Australia and film from Fiji. We hypothesize variations in abundance and plastic type are a reflection of the population density and coastal geomorphology, but may also be a result of legislation and waste management strategies in the two countries. This work adds evidence to the pervasive presence of plastic in fish gastrointestinal tracts, reinforcing the urgent need for efficient plastic waste management, but also a better understanding of the impacts of microplastic on marine biota.

Plastic additive oleamide elicits hyperactivity in hermit crabs

Numerous studies have estimated the abundance of plastics in our oceans and warned of its threat to wildlife. However, mechanisms underlying its attractiveness to marine life remain unclear. Though visual similarities to food sources have been suggested, recent studies show that biofouled plastics release dimethyl sulfide which marine fauna mistake for food whilst foraging. Our study shows that the plastic additive oleamide (9-octadecenamide) attracts hermit crabs (Pagurus bernhardus). Respiration rate increases significantly in response to low concentrations of oleamide, and hermit crabs show a behavioral attraction comparable to their response to the feeding stimulant betaine. Oleamide has a striking resemblance to the necromone oleic acid, a chemical released by arthropods during decomposition. As scavengers, hermit crabs may misidentify oleamide as a food source, creating an olfactory trap. As such, our short communication demonstrates that additive leaching may play a significant role in the attraction of marine life to plastic.