Who knew ocean pollution is porn

A chemical additive found in plastics polluting ocean waters might be sexually exciting crabs, researchers say.

Researchers from the University of Hull in England studying crabs off the Yorkshire coast found that oleamide increases “the respiration rate of hermit crabs – indicating excitement and attraction.” The chemical is already considered to be a pheromone for other marine species.

“Our study shows that oleamide attracts hermit crabs. Respiration rate increases significantly in response to low concentrations of oleamide, and hermit crabs show a behavioural attraction comparable to their response to a feeding stimulant,” Schirrmacher added.

“This research demonstrates that additive leaching may play a significant role in the attraction of marine life to plastic,” she concluded. LINK