Chloe Zhang
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that has been affecting wildlife for almost as long as plastic has been around. It harms all types of organisms, from tiny corals to large marine mammals, strangling, choking, entangling, and starving them. While it is difficult to know exactly how many animals are killed by plastic, it is estimated that plastic kills 1 million seabirds annually and that entanglement alone kills 100,000 marine animals each year. With an estimated 640,000 tons of ghost fishing equipment in the oceans, it is likely that millions of living things are affected.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution every year | 100,000 |
| Number of marine mammal species that have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Number of whale, dolphin and porpoise species that have consumed plastic | 56% |
| Number of sea turtles affected by plastic | All seven species |
| Number of fish in the North Pacific that ingest plastic each year | 12,000 to 24,000 tons |
| Number of seabird species that have eaten plastic | 60% |
| Number of dead whales found with bellies full of plastic | Several |
| Number of marine species affected by plastic | More than 700 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
The ingestion of plastic occurs when animals mistake plastic debris for food. This can happen when plastic bags or sheeting resemble the prey of certain animals, such as jellyfish in the case of sea turtles. Floating plastics that have broken down into smaller pieces are more likely to be consumed by hungry animals, as they can look like prey or become accidentally ingested while feeding. This is particularly true for passive feeders, or animals that filter their food from water or soil, as they may unintentionally consume microplastics along with their food.
The amount and type of plastic ingested by an animal often relate directly to its feeding behavior. For example, albatross chicks have been found to ingest large amounts of plastic, leading to lower weights as the plastic prevents them from eating enough food. Additionally, adult albatrosses may pass ingested plastic on to their offspring while feeding them, further exacerbating the problem. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises, are also at risk, with an estimated 56% of whale, dolphin, and porpoise species having consumed plastic.
The ingestion of plastic can have severe consequences for animals, including internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death. It can also alter the flow of energy and nutrients within individual organisms and ecological networks. Furthermore, plastics can carry harmful pollutants or release chemicals that are added during production, which can enter the body of an animal if ingested and lead to potential health impacts. These chemicals can also be absorbed into the water table and enter the food chain, causing further damage.
The problem of plastic ingestion is not limited to marine animals, as terrestrial and freshwater food webs are also at risk. More than 690 marine species and over 50 freshwater species are reported to ingest plastic, with adverse effects on their health. As plastics do not decompose but break down into smaller pieces, the issue of plastic ingestion is likely to persist and continue affecting animal populations worldwide.
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Plastic entanglement
Plastic pollution is a major threat to marine animals, and entanglement is one of the two primary ways in which it harms them. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animals affected by plastic pollution, it is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have been entangled in plastic. This includes rare species such as the humpback dolphin, found only in the waters of Australia and New Guinea, which has been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around its body.
Entanglement in plastic can have severe consequences for marine animals. Even if they are able to move while entangled, they face significant risks. The plastic can cut deep into their skin, leaving them vulnerable to deadly infections. Additionally, entangled animals may be unable to find food or shelter, and trapped birds or mammals may drown as they cannot reach the surface to breathe.
Abandoned fishing gear, including nets and fishing lines, is a significant source of entanglement. These items can choke and trap ocean animals, with an estimated 640,000 tons of "ghost fishing equipment" floating in our oceans. Plastic pollution also comes from single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, bottles, and packaging materials, which can entangle and strangle marine life.
The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to marine mammals. It affects a wide range of creatures, from the smallest crustaceans to birds. Ocean Crusaders reports that plastic entanglement kills 100,000 marine animals each year, including birds, fish, sharks, and sea turtles. Sea turtles, in particular, are affected by plastic pollution, with plastic bags, fishing lines, and other debris often found in their stomachs, leading to fatal consequences.
To address the issue of plastic entanglement and its impact on animal life, it is crucial to reduce plastic consumption, recycle, and participate in cleanup efforts to remove plastic waste from the environment, especially in marine ecosystems.
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Plastic in the food chain
Plastic in the oceans is a major threat to marine mammals. It harms the environment and all the organisms that live there, strangling, choking, entangling, and starving everything from the largest mammals to the smallest crustaceans. While it is difficult to know exactly how many marine animals are killed by plastic pollution, it is estimated that plastic kills 1 million seabirds annually, and plastic entanglement kills around 100,000 marine animals each year. 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic, and all seven sea turtle species are affected.
Large plastics are substantial pollutants, but over time they break down into smaller, more toxic pieces. These small plastics are more easily ingested and also act as hosts for invasive species, carrying them to other regions of the ocean, exponentially increasing the damage caused by plastics. Plastic bags, bottles, balloons, degraded buoys, packaging materials, and food wrappers all contribute to marine debris.
Plastic pollution affects ocean mammals through entanglement as well. The worst offenders come from abandoned fishing gear, including nets, lines, and other lost or jettisoned detritus that choke and trap ocean animals. Even if the animals are able to move while entangled, their prospects are not good. The plastic can cut deep into their skin, leaving them open to the risk of deadly infections.
The plastic in the ocean is also broken down into microplastics, which are eaten by marine animals. Fish larvae are four times more likely to eat microplastics than actual food. These microplastics can block the guts of marine animals, causing severe harm and even death. They can also be passed up the food chain, with middle-ocean and deep-sea fish such as mackerel consuming them and then being eaten by predators such as seals or mahi-mahi. Eventually, the plastic can be found in fish sold for human consumption.
These microplastics can enter the human food chain either by inhalation or ingestion, particularly of shellfish and crustaceans. While absorption across the gastrointestinal tract is relatively low, nanoparticles are more readily absorbed and may accumulate in the brain, liver, and other tissues in aquatic species and other animals. Studies suggest that toxicity could potentially affect the central nervous and reproductive systems.
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Plastic pollution in wildlife habitats
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues, threatening wildlife and ecosystems. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of animals affected by plastic, it is evident that millions of animals are killed annually due to plastic pollution. This problem is not limited to marine habitats but also extends to terrestrial ecosystems, including forests.
Marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds, are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. They can become entangled in plastic debris, including abandoned fishing gear, plastic ropes, and packaging materials. This entanglement can lead to injuries, infections, and even death. Additionally, marine creatures may mistake plastic for prey, leading to ingestion of plastic bags, bottles, and microplastics. These microplastics can cause internal blockages and release toxic chemicals, affecting the health of marine life and potentially entering the human food chain.
Terrestrial wildlife is also impacted by plastic pollution. Forests, for example, are vulnerable to plastic waste dumped in unprotected wild land. Microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, can contaminate soils and sediments, leading to potential long-term negative effects on ecosystems. These microplastics can enter food chains, disrupting the hormone systems of both vertebrates and invertebrates.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond individual animals to entire ecosystems. In marine environments, coral reefs, which are critical ecosystems, suffer from plastic pollution. Plastic debris can smother corals, blocking essential sunlight and weakening the ecosystem. Additionally, plastic waste can lead to habitat degradation and ecosystem disruption, affecting the survival and reproductive success of various species.
To address the devastating impact of plastic pollution on wildlife habitats, collective efforts, policy changes, and individual choices are necessary. Reducing plastic consumption, reusing plastic items, and recycling are crucial steps. However, as highlighted by organizations like Greenpeace, the focus should also be on stopping plastic production at its source, advocating for bans on single-use plastic items, and promoting sustainable alternatives.
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Plastic affecting marine mammals
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that affects marine life in numerous ways. Marine mammals, in particular, face significant threats due to the presence of plastic in their environment. It is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals harmed or killed by plastic pollution, but estimates suggest that plastic kills around 100,000 marine mammals annually. Out of 123 marine mammal species, 81 have been observed to have ingested plastic or become entangled in it.
One of the primary dangers plastic poses to marine mammals is ingestion. Marine mammals may mistake plastic for their prey. For example, a plastic bag filled with water can resemble a squid or other prey that seals hunt. Even marine mammals that do not rely on sight to identify prey are at risk. Toothed whales and some dolphin species use echolocation to find their food and are still vulnerable to ingesting plastic. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mainly consisting of plastic bags. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple food, and can eventually starve due to a false sense of fullness.
Entanglement in plastic is another significant threat to marine mammals. Abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, ropes, and lines, can ensnare marine mammals, restricting their movement and leading to injuries. The humpback dolphin, a rare species found in the waters around Australia and New Guinea, has been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around its body. If not removed, this plastic can cut into the animal's skin, leaving it susceptible to deadly infections. Entanglement can also directly lead to drowning, as marine mammals cannot breathe underwater.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the direct harm caused to marine mammals. Plastic can act as a host for invasive species, contributing to the spread of non-native organisms in different regions of the ocean. Additionally, certain plastics contain toxic additives that leach into the water, entering the food chain and causing further harm to marine life.
The problem of plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that requires human intervention for resolution. While some efforts, such as clean-up initiatives and bans on single-use plastics, are already underway, more comprehensive actions are needed to address this global crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know the exact number of animals that are affected by plastic, but it is estimated to be in the millions. Plastic does not decompose and is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.
Plastic affects animals in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Plastic debris can cause intestinal injury and death and can also transfer plastic up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals and humans. Plastic can also entrap animals, preventing them from finding food, shelter or being able to swim up to the surface for air.
Plastic affects a wide range of animals, from small finches and corals to large marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. Endangered wildlife such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are also affected.
