Chloe Zhang
Marine animals are dying from plastic pollution in a variety of ways, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. The impact of plastic on marine life is widespread and devastating, affecting all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Plastic production has exploded, and plastic waste has found its way into every corner of the planet, from the deepest point of the Mariana Trench to the top of Mount Everest. As plastic breaks down, it becomes microplastic, which is now found in most drinking water and fish, with unknown consequences for humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine animals affected | Marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, coral reefs, fish, molluscs, sharks, crabs, oysters, mussels, finches, and more |
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic | It is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds annually. A recent study found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish sold in California markets. Another study found that 97% of fish species sampled in the South Pacific had microplastics in them. |
| Types of plastic | Single-use plastic, microplastics, nanoplastics, "ghost gear" or "ghost nets" (discarded fishing equipment), plastic bags, plastic ropes, plastic nets, plastic pots |
| How plastic harms marine animals | Entanglement, ingestion, starvation, suffocation, drowning, internal injuries, external injuries, toxic contamination, chemical contamination, bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, biomagnification |
| Plastic's impact on marine ecosystems | Plastic has been found in all marine ecosystems, from the deepest point of the Mariana Trench to uninhabited islands, remote areas like the Arctic, and even in seafood intended for human consumption. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. |
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What You'll Learn
Entanglement in plastic fishing gear
Marine animals, from small finches to blue whales, face a serious threat from plastic pollution in the ocean. One of the main dangers is entanglement in plastic fishing gear, which can lead to injury, suffocation, and death. This issue is particularly devastating for large marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with an estimated 300,000 of these creatures dying each year from entanglement in ghost fishing gear.
Ghost fishing gear refers to any fishing equipment that has been deliberately discarded or accidentally lost at sea. This includes ropes, nets, pots, lines, buoys, and traps. Once in the ocean, this gear can float freely, ensnaring unsuspecting marine animals. The impact of ghost fishing gear is not limited to large animals, as even small crabs can become trapped and killed.
The consequences of entanglement are severe. Marine creatures may find it difficult to swim and feed, or breathe, leading to starvation or drowning. The plastic can also cut into their bodies, causing injuries that may result in infection or death. In some cases, entanglement may increase an animal's vulnerability to predators, further reducing its chances of survival.
The issue of ghost fishing gear is not limited to a single ocean or region. It is a global problem, with debris found in the waters around the Tiwi Islands and Darwin, as well as in the Chesapeake Bay. The impact of this pollution is widespread, affecting hundreds of species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, and fish.
Efforts are being made to address this crisis. Organizations like NOAA Fisheries work to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They coordinate response networks, such as the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network, and train partners in safe capture and removal techniques. However, disentangling marine animals is dangerous and should only be performed by authorized and trained professionals.
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Ingestion of plastic, leading to intestinal injury
Marine animals often mistake plastic for food or swallow it while swimming or feeding. The ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal injury and death in marine animals in several ways. Firstly, sharp or rough plastic debris can create cuts in the digestive system, leading to infection and internal bleeding. Plastic can also obstruct the digestive system, making it difficult for animals to get the nutrients they need and leading to starvation. In addition, plastic can carry harmful pollutants and release chemicals that are toxic to marine life.
Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for their jellyfish prey. This plastic debris can get stuck in their digestive system, making them feel full and reducing their urge to feed, which can lead to malnutrition and starvation. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and it is estimated that 32% of turtles have plastic marine debris in their stomachs.
Albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters are other examples of seabird species that are particularly affected by marine debris. Plastic can get stuck in their gizzards, a section of the stomach that grinds food, and cannot easily pass through the digestive system. Ingested plastic has been found to negatively impact the weight of Laysan albatross chicks, as the plastic in their stomachs prevents them from consuming a full meal.
Marine mammals are also highly vulnerable to plastic ingestion. 69 species, or 56% of all marine mammals, have been confirmed to ingest debris. This includes 44 species of odontocetes (toothed whales), manatees, and multiple seal species. In one case, a pygmy sperm whale was found dead in New Jersey with just one plastic bag in its stomach, demonstrating how even a single piece of ingested plastic can contribute to an animal's death.
The ingestion of plastic by marine animals not only causes intestinal injury and death but also transfers plastic up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals, and even human seafood eaters. A recent study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mainly in the form of plastic microfibers. This highlights how plastic pollution is pervasive and poses risks not only to marine life but also to human health.
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Chemical contamination and bioaccumulation of toxins
Marine animals are facing a growing threat from plastic waste in the oceans. One of the key dangers is chemical contamination, where plastics contain and leach harmful chemicals, which are then ingested by marine life. These toxins can cause both transient and permanent changes to the endocrine systems of animals, impairing reproduction, decreasing birth rates, and causing potential loss of biodiversity, thyroid function, metabolism, and an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers.
Some of the chemical additives in plastics with toxic and endocrine-disrupting properties are present at high levels. For example, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in plastics and polyurethane foams. These chemicals can leach out of plastic and into the surrounding seawater, affecting marine life. A recent study has shown that a single plastic particle can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the water around it.
The impact of these toxins is felt most strongly by apex predators, who sit at the top of the food chain. As smaller contaminated species are eaten by larger predators, the toxins bioaccumulate, building up in the fatty tissues of the animals. This process is known as biomagnification, and it means that the concentration of toxins increases as you move up the food chain. Orcas, for example, have been found with high levels of chemicals in their fatty tissues and breast milk, which they then pass on to their young.
In addition to the direct harm caused by ingesting plastic, marine animals are also threatened by entanglement in plastic waste, particularly in ghost fishing gear, which includes ropes, nets, and pots that have been discarded or abandoned at sea. This plastic waste can trap and entangle a wide range of marine life, from large whales to small crabs. It is estimated that 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die each year from entanglement in ghost gear, often resulting in drowning, starvation, or injury.
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Suffocation and starvation
Marine animals are facing a grave threat from plastic waste in the ocean. One of the most common ways that marine animals die from plastic is through suffocation and starvation.
Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple food. Once ingested, plastic can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation. Similarly, plastic fishing nets and other debris can entangle marine animals, leading to suffocation. Large items of plastic can trap and restrict the movement of marine mammals and fish, making them more vulnerable to predators and eventually leading to starvation.
Plastic pollution also affects marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas. Microplastics and the toxic chemicals found in plastics accumulate in the fatty tissues of these predators, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification up the food chain. This means that higher-up predators are exposed to higher concentrations of toxins, which can have fatal consequences.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and widespread. It is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animals that die from plastic, but it is clear that urgent action is needed to address this global crisis. Marine animals are dying from the very material we created, and it is our responsibility to find solutions and protect our oceans and their inhabitants.
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Internal and external injuries
Marine animals face a significant threat from plastic waste in the ocean, which can cause both internal and external injuries.
External injuries
Large items of plastic, such as discarded fishing nets and ropes, can entangle marine animals, restricting their movement and leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. This plastic ghost gear can smother and break coral reefs, preventing healthy growth. Entanglement can cause severe external injuries, which may become infected and fatal.
Internal injuries
Marine animals can suffer internal injuries from ingesting plastic waste. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple food, and plastic fragments can sit on the water's surface, deceiving seabirds and other species. Ingesting plastic can lead to intestinal injury, choking, and starvation as the plastic blocks digestive systems, giving a false sense of fullness.
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine apex predators, such as orcas and great white sharks, is a significant yet understudied threat. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, and these toxins bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, increasing in concentration up the food chain.
Plastic pollution in the ocean, from single-use packaging to microplastic fibres shed from clothing, has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. It is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animal deaths caused by plastic, but the impact is significant, with ingestion and entanglement being primary factors.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals can die from plastic in a variety of ways, including entanglement, injury, ingestion, starvation, suffocation, and toxic contamination. Large items of plastic can entangle marine animals, making them more vulnerable to starvation, injury, and predators. Small plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by marine animals, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Plastic can also cause chemical contamination, which can harm the reproductive systems of marine animals.
Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, coral reefs, seabirds, seals, and other marine mammals are among the species most vulnerable to plastic pollution. Endangered wildlife such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are also at risk.
Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean each year, and it has become a significant threat to marine life. According to a report by the United Nations, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050.
Individuals and organizations can work together to address the problem of plastic pollution and protect marine life. This includes volunteering with organizations that focus on marine conservation, such as GVI, and supporting efforts to reduce plastic production and regulate plastics as pollutants.
