What is the leading cause of death by plastic among marine animals found in the United States from 2009 to 2020?

Ingestion is identified as the leading cause of death by plastic among marine animals in the United States during the specified time frame, from 2009 to 2020. Marine animals ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, which can lead to a range of harmful effects, including internal injuries, starvation, and poisoning from toxic substances that may be present on or within the plastic.

Research has shown that various species, including fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, often consume plastic particles that can disrupt their digestive systems and lead to significant health issues. This widespread problem reflects not only on individual species but also on overall marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

While other factors like strangulation and entanglement also pose serious threats to marine wildlife, ingestion of plastic has been shown to have a more pervasive impact on mortality rates among these animals during the years in question. Habitat destruction, while critical, is often a result of multiple human activities and does not directly link to the immediate mortality associated with plastic. Thus, the overwhelming evidence points to ingestion as the primary pathway through which plastic leads to death in marine animals.