Which effect increases as plastic debris accumulates in ocean gyres experiencing stratification?

💡 Explanation

When plastics accumulate in stratified gyres, increased UV exposure interacts with the plastic surfaces because less vertical mixing occurs, accelerating their breakdown via photolysis and releasing harmful chemicals. Chemical breakdown via photolysis results, rather than mixing, CO2 absorption or reduced bioaccumulation, which have opposing or unrelated factors.

• Which outcome primarily occurs when excessive groundwater extraction lowers the water table beneath natural levees?
• Which process primarily drives the distribution of volcanic activity at subduction zones?
• Which geographic feature limits orographic precipitation on the leeward side of the Andes mountains during strong prevailing winds?
• Which mechanism limits the depth of wind-driven oceanic circulation?
• Which geologic outcome primarily occurs along a transform plate boundary?
• Which outcome occurs along prevailing wind pathways when vegetation removal destabilizes dune systems?