What potential impact can plastics have in surface water?

Plastics can have significant negative impacts on surface water ecosystems. When plastics enter waterways, they can cause harm to wildlife in several ways. Animals can ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, which can lead to malnutrition, gastrointestinal blockage, or exposure to toxic substances. Moreover, plastics can entangle aquatic species, causing injury or mortality.

In addition to direct harm to individual animals, plastics can disrupt entire ecosystems. For instance, they can alter habitats, prevent the growth of aquatic vegetation, and affect the balance of the ecosystem by impacting food webs. Microplastics, which are small pieces of plastic debris, pose an increasing threat as they can be consumed by small organisms and work their way up the food chain, potentially impacting larger predators and human health.

The other options do not accurately represent the effects of plastics in surface water. While some may suggest benefits such as enhancing water quality or promoting recreational activities, the overwhelming consensus in environmental science is that plastics pose severe threats to aquatic environments and biodiversity.