Today, in our environmental science lecture, we're discussing the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Recent studies show that over 700 species of marine animals are affected by plastic debris, either through ingestion or entanglement. Interestingly, the most common type of plastic found in the ocean is not the large items like bottles, but microplastics, which are particles smaller than five millimeters. These tiny particles are often mistaken for food by fish and can enter the food chain. However, researchers have discovered that certain bacteria can break down some plastics, though this process is slow and not yet efficient for large-scale cleanup. The key takeaway is that reducing single-use plastics remains the most effective solution.