Ethan Clarke
Marine species are at a high risk of ingesting plastic objects, which can have fatal consequences. A Plymouth University study confirms that plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species, with an estimated 100 million marine animals killed annually. Marine megafauna, such as whales and dolphins, are vulnerable to ingesting plastic, often mistaking it for food. Sea turtles, for instance, consume plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, which can lead to starvation or fatal intestinal blockages. Seabirds are also highly affected, with over 40% of species studied ingesting plastic, which can cause suffocation and starvation. The impact of plastic ingestion on marine life is a growing concern, with research indicating its presence in the food chain, transferring from smaller fish to larger marine mammals and even human seafood eaters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine species that ingest plastic objects | 700 according to a study from Plymouth University, including 386 marine fish species |
| Number of marine mammal species that ingest plastic objects | 69 according to a review by Kühn and van Franeker, including 44 species of odontocetes (toothed whales) |
| Number of marine bird species that ingest plastic objects | 40% of seabird species according to Kühn and van Franeker, 60% according to another source, 90% according to Marine Pollution Bulletin, and 99% by 2050 according to a prediction |
| Number of marine turtle species that ingest plastic objects | All seven species of sea turtles from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea, 50% according to a 2013 study |
| Number of marine fish species that ingested plastic objects | 386 according to one source, 50 according to another |
| Number of marine fish individuals that ingested plastic objects | 171,774 individuals of 555 species according to one source, 500 individuals of 50 species according to another |
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What You'll Learn
- Marine mammals, such as whales, are vulnerable to plastic ingestion
- Seabirds are affected by plastic pollution, with many mistaking plastic for food
- Sea turtles often eat plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish, leading to starvation
- Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing
- Microplastics are consumed by wildlife, which can lead to toxic contamination
Marine mammals, such as whales, are vulnerable to plastic ingestion
Marine mammals can mistake plastic for food. For example, a plastic bag floating in the water can look like a jellyfish, the staple food of leatherback turtles, or like squid or other prey to seals and whales. In 2019, a whale washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mostly plastic bags. In another instance, a 20-inch plastic balloon was found blocking the digestive tract of a young whale. The buildup of plastic in the whale's stomach likely caused its death.
Marine mammals can also ingest plastic indirectly through their prey. Microplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, can be consumed by smaller organisms and then transferred to the fatty tissues of larger marine mammals when they are eaten. These microplastics can absorb toxins, which can then enter the body of the marine mammal.
In addition to ingestion, entanglement in plastic is another major threat to marine mammals. Large items of plastic, such as discarded fishing nets and ropes, can entangle marine mammals, preventing them from escaping and leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. It is estimated that 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die from entanglement in plastic gear each year.
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Seabirds are affected by plastic pollution, with many mistaking plastic for food
Seabirds are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with many mistaking plastic for food. A review by Kühn and van Franeker found that over 40% of seabird species studied have ingested plastic. This problem is becoming more and more pervasive, with less than 5% of birds found with plastic in their stomachs in the 1960s, increasing to over 80% in the 1980s. It is estimated that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic.
Seabirds are birds that live primarily on the ocean, often far away from humans. They have unique adaptations such as specialised feathers and a desalination system that allows them to drink seawater safely. Despite their resilience, they are highly susceptible to plastic pollution. Small plastic fragments can sit on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds. This leads to issues such as suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters are among the most affected seabird species. Albatross chicks, in particular, are vulnerable as adults mistake plastic for prey and feed it to their chicks. The chicks are unable to regurgitate the plastic pieces and many die as a result.
A 2019 study of nine species that breed on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean found that the endangered Barau's petrel was among the most affected by plastic, with 60% of individuals sampled having ingested plastic. Flesh-footed shearwaters on Australia's Lord Howe Island have also been found with severe stomach scarring from ingesting plastic. Snow petrels, which range within the Southern or Antarctic Ocean, had the lowest plastic exposure of all 77 species studied. However, it is important to note that even this species has been found to eat plastic, indicating that no bird can completely escape plastic contamination.
The ingestion of plastic has negative impacts on the body condition of seabirds, with reduced gut volume leading to lower body weight. This can reduce the survival rate of juvenile seabirds. Plastic ingestion also increases the transmission of toxic chemicals, which can have unknown effects on mortality and reproduction. In addition, plastics can release chemicals that make them colourful or flexible, and these chemicals can enter the body of an animal if ingested.
The threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global and increasing. Spatial risk analysis and literature surveys have been conducted to predict the risk of plastic ingestion for seabird species. The results indicate that the impacts are greatest at the southern boundary of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, a region previously thought to be relatively pristine.
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Sea turtles often eat plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish, leading to starvation
Marine plastics are contributing to the deaths of over 100,000 marine mammals every year. Marine megafauna are highly susceptible to ingesting plastic, with one whale found washed up with 40kg of plastic in its stomach. Sea turtles are among the many marine species affected by plastic pollution in the ocean.
Sea turtles often eat plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, one of their staple foods. This is because plastic bags floating in the water bear a striking resemblance to jellyfish, and can even smell like food to turtles. As a result, turtles ingest the plastic, which can cause intestinal blockages and lead to starvation and death. According to studies, over half of the world's sea turtles have consumed plastic, and thousands die each year from ingesting or getting entangled in marine debris.
Sea turtles, including the endangered loggerhead species, use their sense of sight to locate and track jellyfish in the open ocean. However, when plastic bags fly into the ocean, they can easily be mistaken for jellyfish by hungry sea turtles. The semi-opaque white plastic bags, in particular, look deceptively similar to jellyfish when floating in the water. The consequences of this confusion are dire. When sea turtles ingest plastic, it can get stuck in their digestive system, making them feel full and leading to starvation as the turtle stops seeking out other food sources.
In addition to ingestion, sea turtles are also at risk of entanglement in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, six-pack rings, and other plastic waste. This can result in choking, injury, drowning, or preventing them from escaping predators or hunting. The accumulation of plastics at nesting beaches is particularly harmful to baby turtles, who can become entangled as they try to reach the sea. Microplastics are another significant concern for sea turtles, as they are invisible to the naked eye and can be easily consumed.
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Plastic ingestion by marine fish is widespread and increasing
Plastic ingestion by marine life is a pressing issue, with plastic pollution pervading almost every facet of the biosphere. Marine plastics contribute to the deaths of over 100,000 marine mammals annually. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, and turtles, often mistake plastic for food or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators.
A global analysis revealed that out of 555 species studied, 386 marine fish species have ingested plastic debris, including 210 species of commercial importance. This highlights the widespread nature of plastic ingestion among marine fish. However, it is not yet a universal phenomenon, as 148 species showed no records of plastic consumption. The incidence rate of plastic ingestion by fish, including microplastics, was found to be 26%.
Over the last decade, the incidence of plastic ingestion by marine fish has doubled, increasing by approximately 2.4% per year. This increase is attributed to improved detection methods and a rise in the number of fish consuming plastic. The projected increase in plastic production and disposal is expected to exacerbate this issue globally. Plastic debris, including microplastics and microfibers, is now ubiquitous in marine environments, posing a significant threat to marine life.
The first report of plastic ingestion by marine fish was made less than 50 years ago, and research interest has intensified in recent years. The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) identified 89 plastic-ingesting species in 2016. Reviews in 2019 tripled this number, indicating mounting research interest and concern. Marine organisms, including fish, are crucial pathways for plastic movement through marine ecosystems, underscoring the urgency of addressing plastic pollution.
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Microplastics are consumed by wildlife, which can lead to toxic contamination
Marine plastics are contributing to the deaths of over 100,000 marine mammals annually. They affect marine species in various ways, including entanglement, injury, ingestion, and toxic contamination. The size of the plastic is a significant factor, adversely affecting different species in different ways. Large plastic items can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can smother and break coral reefs, hindering their growth.
Small plastic fragments can float on the water surface and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, causing suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, are easily consumed by wildlife. They can adsorb toxins, which transfer to the fatty tissues of ingesting organisms. Microplastics have been found in various wildlife species, including fish, birds, and mammals, with the highest concentrations often found in fish and birds. They are prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, impacting various ecosystems and species.
One review found that 926 seafood species are contaminated by microplastics. Studies on commercial fish species like rainbow trout, seabream, and seabass revealed that up to 63% of fish had microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, leading to toxic effects. These effects include reduced food intake, delayed growth, oxidative damage, affected lipid metabolism, structural damage to organs, negative impacts on behaviour and fertility, and reduced fertility in subsequent generations. Microplastics may also carry organic contaminants like hydrocarbons, increasing the risk of health hazards for top predators in the food chain.
Furthermore, microplastics in soil have resulted in weight loss and altered burrowing habits in earthworms and a decline in mite and nematode numbers. Studies on terrestrial mammals like mice and rats have shown that nanoplastics can translocate within their bodies to various organs and tissues. The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being determined, but their presence in the environment and food chains highlights the potential for widespread toxic contamination in wildlife.
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Frequently asked questions
A study from Plymouth University confirms that plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species. Out of 555 species studied, 386 marine fish species have ingested plastic debris.
About 8 to 10 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year. It is believed that there are over 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean.
Marine megafauna are vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other marine mammals are among the species most affected by plastic ingestion.
