Ocean pollution has a significant impact on marine ecosystems and the health of aquatic life. Chemical pollutants, such as oil and other petroleum products, pesticides, and fertilizers, can kill or harm marine plants and animals. Plastic pollution can injure or kill wildlife that mistake plastic for food, and also break down into smaller pieces that are ingested by fish and other marine animals, accumulating up the food chain. Nutrient pollution can cause harmful algal blooms, which can result in oxygen-depleted "dead zones" that are unable to support marine life. The effects of ocean pollution have significant economic and social impacts.
