Ellyn Paris

3/12/20

AP Biology

Current Event 19

J.B. Pfaller et al. Odors from marine plastic debris elicit foraging behavior in sea turtles. Current Biology. Published online March 9, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.01.071.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sea-turtles-smell-plastic-ocean-food

In his article, Jonathan Lambert discusses the issues turtles have distinguishing the smell of food from the smell of plastic. He explains that when drifting in the ocean, plastic releases a chemical that resembles the smell of food to sea turtles as well as marine birds. The gas is called dimethyl sulfide, and is the same gas release by phytoplankton, “a key food source for many marine animals” (Lambert, 1). Recent studies have shown that this is unfortunately the case for the loggerhead turtle. Studies down on captive loggerhead turtles drew the conclusion that plastic has the potential of inducing foraging behaviors, which would explain why many turtles end up eating the plastic or entangling themselves in it. It should be noted that the turtles only responded to plastic that contained traces of food or were ocea-stewed.

This article is highly relevant to our present society. Humans destroying the environment and endangering marine life is a prominent topic that is important to discuss. As human impact on the planet increases in forms such as climate change and plastic production, the environment will continue to degrade. Studies like those mentioned in Lambert’s article are important in convincing the public as well as lawmakers that it is crucial to take steps in order to reduce our negative impact on Earth. The oceans make up a large part of our planet, therefore polluting them is ruining the balance that ecosystems desperately need to survive and thrive. 

This article was very interesting to read. The language was simple to understand which made it much more pleasant to learn about. Furthermore, the studies that were described were cited and a link as added to their website. This would allow the reader to pursue further information if they wished to do so. However, this article was short and did not expand enough on the impact the research will have on our modern society. To improve his article, the author could develop more on the importance of the results on loggerhead turtles found will have.