Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a major threat to wildlife, with an estimated 100 million marine animals dying from plastic-related issues every year. It is difficult to know the exact number of animal deaths caused by plastic, but the statistics are startling. Marine animals such as turtles, seals, dolphins, whales, and seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, often mistaking plastic waste for food or becoming entangled in discarded plastic debris. The toxins released by plastic as it breaks down also enter the soil and water, causing harm to all animals, including humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals that die from plastic | 100,000 to 1,000,000 per year |
| Number of marine animals entangled by plastic | 100,000 per year |
| Number of sea birds that die from plastic | 1,000,000 per year |
| Number of cetaceans entangled and killed by plastic | 300,000 |
| Number of sea turtles with plastic waste in their stomachs | Nearly 100% |
| Number of sea birds with plastic debris in their stomachs | 32% |
| Number of fish stocks that have ingested plastic as of 2018 | Over 50% |
| Number of whales, dolphins, and porpoises that have consumed plastic | 56% |
| Number of North Pacific fish that ingest plastic | 12,000-14,000 tons per year |
| Number of marine species killed by plastic debris in the ocean | Over 267 |
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What You'll Learn
- Marine animals and birds die from swallowing plastic or getting entangled in it
- Land animals, such as deer, camels, and elephants, die from ingesting plastic
- Seabirds die from plastic obstructing their gastrointestinal tract
- Abandoned fishing gear entangles and kills cetaceans
- Toxins from plastic enter the soil and drinking water, harming animals and humans
Marine animals and birds die from swallowing plastic or getting entangled in it
Marine animals and birds are extremely vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Plastic pollution has been a problem for almost as long as plastic has been around, and it is currently estimated that 15 million metric tons of plastic flow into the ocean every year. This is expected to triple by 2040 if no action is taken. Marine animals and birds face two major threats from plastic pollution: ingestion and entanglement.
Ingestion
Marine animals and birds often mistake plastic for food. For example, sea turtles eat plastic bags thinking they are jellyfish. Seabirds gobble up plastic debris like bottle caps, and whales swallow plastic bags. According to EIA International, 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic. Fish larvae are four times more likely to eat microplastics than actual food. Once ingested, plastic can lacerate the intestines or obstruct digestion, leading to starvation and death. It can also release toxins that can be transferred up the food chain, affecting dolphins, whales, and even humans.
Entanglement
Entanglement in plastic can lead to drowning, choking, physical trauma, or infection. Marine animals can become entangled in discarded fishing nets, lines, and other plastic debris. For example, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle drowned after a plastic bag filled with sand wrapped around its neck. Hawaiian monk seals, manatees, and Steller sea lions are among the endangered species that have been affected by entanglement.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine animals and birds is devastating, and it is crucial to address this issue to protect these vulnerable species.
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Land animals, such as deer, camels, and elephants, die from ingesting plastic
Plastic ingestion is a significant threat to land animals, including deer, camels, and elephants. These animals often unknowingly consume plastic waste, which can lead to serious health issues and even death.
Deer, for example, are naturally curious creatures that may sample unusual objects. Plastic bags, baling twine, and cartridge cases have been found in the stomachs of dead deer in Japan and the United Kingdom. Ingesting plastic can cause gastrointestinal blockages, starvation, and irreparable harm to their health.
Camels in the United Arab Emirates are also affected by plastic pollution. A study found that plastic kills around 1% of dromedary camels in the region. The plastic forms large masses, or "polybezoars," in their guts, leading to starvation and the leaching of toxins and bacteria.
Endangered Asian elephants in India and Sri Lanka are another victim of plastic ingestion. Elephants ingest plastic waste from rubbish dumps near forest areas, and this plastic is then introduced into the forest through their dung. This plastic may be consumed by other species, causing mechanical damage and introducing dangerous chemicals into their digestive systems. Over the past eight years, about 20 elephants in Sri Lanka have died from consuming extensive amounts of plastic.
The impact of plastic ingestion on these land animals highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and improve waste management practices to protect wildlife and their habitats.
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Seabirds die from plastic obstructing their gastrointestinal tract
Plastic pollution is a major threat to marine wildlife, with an estimated 1 million seabirds killed annually. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, as they often mistake plastic debris for food. For example, they may confuse plastic bottle caps with fish eggs, or coloured plastic bags with jellyfish. Once ingested, plastic can obstruct a seabird's gastrointestinal tract, leading to death.
A study published in the journal Scientific Reports analysed the cause of death of 1733 seabirds of 51 species. The study found a significant relationship between ingested debris and mortality, with a 20.4% chance of lifetime mortality from ingesting a single item, increasing to 100% after consuming 93 items. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract was the leading cause of death, with balloons identified as the highest-risk item, 32 times more likely to result in death than ingesting hard plastic.
Another study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, estimated that up to 90% of seabirds have plastic in their guts, with this number expected to rise to 99% by 2050. This problem is not limited to seabirds, as plastic pollution also affects land animals such as deer, camels, and elephants, who die from ingesting plastic bags and other plastic debris.
The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds is not limited to immediate mortality but also includes long-term health effects. Plastics are indigestible and can persist in the digestive tract, continuously scraping and scarring the organs, leading to a recently identified disease called "plasticosis". This disease affects the growth, nutrition, and overall health of seabirds, causing a decrease in their wingspan, bill length, and body size.
The issue of plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing one, with an estimated 5 trillion plastic pieces currently in the world's ocean waters. The North Pacific Ocean is the most polluted, hosting the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. While entanglement in plastic debris is a significant cause of death for marine animals, ingestion of plastic is also a major concern, with toxins being transferred up the food chain and affecting species such as dolphins, whales, and humans.
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Abandoned fishing gear entangles and kills cetaceans
Plastic pollution is a major threat to ocean wildlife, with an estimated 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals killed annually from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic debris. Abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear", is considered the most harmful form of marine debris for animals. It is left in the ocean by fishers and can entangle and kill cetaceans, including whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals.
Cetaceans, a group of aquatic mammals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in abandoned fishing gear. The large size of some cetacean species means that entanglement may not result in immediate death but can instead become a serious welfare issue as they tow heavy ropes, buoys, and nets for extended periods. For example, a humpback whale off the coast of Australia was found entangled in over 650 feet of rope and 10 buoys, significantly limiting its ability to swim. In another instance, a heron, a species of bird, died from the severe injuries it sustained from becoming entangled in abandoned fishing gear.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), entanglement in plastic pollution is a significant issue for ocean mammals. Abandoned fishing gear, including nets, ropes, and lines, is a common source of entanglement for cetaceans. It is estimated that at least 300,000 cetaceans are caught and killed as bycatch annually, with turtles, seabirds, sharks, and other non-target fish also affected. The Global Whale Entanglement Response Network and the Best Practice Guidelines are international initiatives aimed at addressing cetacean entanglement and bycatch.
The impact of abandoned fishing gear extends beyond the direct harm caused to entangled cetaceans. The toxins present in plastics can enter the food chain, threatening species higher up the chain such as dolphins, whales, and even humans. Additionally, the entanglement of cetaceans can lead to vessel collisions, further endangering these vulnerable species.
Efforts to address the issue of abandoned fishing gear and its impact on cetaceans include the development of global Best Practice Guidelines and entanglement response training packages. The training covers data collection, relevant laws and regulations, and cetacean species present in the region. The Global Whale Entanglement Response Network, a collaborative international initiative, has made significant progress in addressing whale entanglement and its associated welfare, conservation, and human safety impacts.
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Toxins from plastic enter the soil and drinking water, harming animals and humans
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, threatening the health of both animals and humans. As plastic waste accumulates in landfills and oceans, it breaks down into microplastics, tiny particles less than 5 millimetres long. These microplastics contaminate soil and drinking water, leading to harmful consequences for all life forms.
Microplastics have been detected in municipal drinking water systems and are present in the air we breathe. Scientists have found microplastics in human blood, lungs, and faeces, raising concerns about their impact on human health. The exact effects of microplastics on human wellbeing are still being studied, but their presence in our bodies is undeniable.
In the natural environment, microplastics infiltrate soil ecosystems, including farmlands, greenhouses, and gardens. This contamination poses risks to plant life and the animals that depend on it for food. As plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil, they may inadvertently take up microplastics, potentially transferring them to animals and humans through the food chain.
The impact of plastic pollution on wildlife is devastating. Millions of animals are killed each year due to plastic ingestion or entanglement. Birds, fish, marine mammals, and even land-based animals such as elephants and zebras, are among the casualties. Plastic waste can cause intestinal blockages, liver and cell damage, and disruptions to reproductive systems.
The toxins released from plastic as it breaks down further compound the issue. These toxins enter the soil and drinking water, exacerbating the harm caused by plastic pollution. While the full extent of these toxins' impact on animals and humans may not be fully understood yet, it is clear that they pose a significant threat to all life on our planet. Addressing plastic pollution and reducing our reliance on single-use plastics are crucial steps towards mitigating these harmful effects.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to know the exact number, but it is estimated that more than 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic ingestion or entanglement every year.
Animals, especially marine animals, often mistake plastic for food. For example, turtles eat plastic bags thinking they are jellyfish. Seabirds also gobble up plastic debris like bottle caps.
Entanglement can happen in two ways. The first is when animals get caught in plastic debris, such as discarded fishing nets or plastic rings from soda cans. The second is when plastics get entangled in animals, such as when balloon ribbons wrap around a bird's legs or head.
Once in the stomach, plastic pieces can get stuck and prevent the animal from eating food, leading to a slow and painful death. Plastic can also release toxins that can be harmful to animals and can move up the food chain, affecting predators and humans.
We can reduce the number of animal deaths by using plastic alternatives, such as biodegradable or compostable plastics, and by reducing our overall plastic consumption. It is also important to properly dispose of plastic waste and to avoid releasing balloons into the environment.
