Plastic Pollution: A Deadly Threat To Animal Life

Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on marine animals, killing or crippling them. It is estimated that over one million animals die each year after becoming entrapped in or ingesting litter, with plastic being the most common killer. The number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast, with scientists estimating that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species and the majority of marine animal deaths are unobserved.

How much plastic is in the ocean?

It is difficult to put an exact number on how much plastic is in the ocean. Early studies estimated that there could be 8 million tonnes of plastic in the ocean per year, but more recent research has put the figure at somewhere between 1 million and 1.7 million tonnes. There is an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a monolith of ocean pollution made up of all kinds of marine debris, contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic, covering an area twice the size of Texas. Another study put the figure at approximately 171 trillion pieces of plastic floating at the ocean’s surface. While current estimates are ballpark figures, they continue to be refined as more data on the plastic-pollution problem becomes available.

How many marine animals die from plastic each year?

It is challenging to estimate how many marine animals die from plastic each year, as the majority of deaths go unobserved. However, scientists have found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast. A study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species.

The most common killer of animals is plastic litter, notably impacting marine animals. Each year more than 100,000 dolphins, fish, whales, and turtles drown after becoming entangled or eating plastic. This is just the verified count of impacted animals; many more deaths remain unrecorded.

In addition to the animals that die from ingesting plastic, approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic annually. It remains to be seen what the toll is on humans, who ingest approximately 40 pounds of plastic during their lifetime.

We are partially aware that the plastic we use on a daily basis, half of which is single-use, has to go somewhere. Similarly, we know a lot ends up in the ocean, but its impacts are, for the most part, out of sight and out of mind. It is important to realise our plastic reliance is wreaking havoc underwater, killing or crippling marine animals. Every single day, 13,000 to 15,000 pieces of plastic are dumped in the ocean.

How do animals die from plastic?

It is challenging to estimate how many animals die from plastic each year, as the majority of marine animal deaths are unobserved. However, scientists have found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast. A study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species. More research needs to be done to determine the full extent of plastic pollution on marine animals.

The most common killer of animals is plastic litter, notably impacting marine animals. Each year, more than 100,000 dolphins, fish, whales, and turtles drown after becoming entangled or eating plastic. This is just the verified count of impacted animals; many more deaths remain unrecorded. Marine animals are not the only ones impacted by improperly disposed of trash. Depending on the type of litter, birds can die from ingesting poisons from mouldy food, cigarette butts, and other harmful substances. Plastic, balloons, and brightly coloured pieces of litter look irresistible to foraging birds but can't be digested.

In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain; its digestive tract contained just under 30 kilograms of plastic. Approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic annually. It remains to be seen what the toll is on humans, who ingest approximately 40 pounds of plastic during their lifetime.

About 8 to 10 million tons of plastic make their way into the water every year, and there are believed to be over 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. Every single day, 13,000 to 15,000 pieces of plastic are dumped in the ocean.

Which animals are most at risk?

It is challenging to estimate the number of animals that die from plastic pollution each year, as the majority of deaths go unobserved. However, scientists have found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast. A study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year, including dolphins, fish, whales and turtles. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species.

Sea turtles, for example, are at high risk of ingesting plastic, as they mistake plastic bags for their favourite food, jellyfish. Similarly, in 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain; its digestive tract contained just under 30 kilograms of plastic.

Approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic annually. Birds can die from ingesting poisons from mouldy food, cigarette butts, and other harmful substances. Plastic, balloons, and brightly coloured pieces of litter look irresistible to foraging birds but can’t be digested.

How does plastic impact humans?

It is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as the majority of marine animal deaths are unobserved, and it only accounts for a few species. More research needs to be done to determine the full extent of plastic pollution on marine animals.

Every year, more than 100,000 dolphins, fish, whales, and turtles drown after becoming entangled or eating plastic. This is just the verified count of impacted animals; many more deaths remain unrecorded. Sea turtles, for example, are at high risk of ingesting plastic, as they mistake plastic bags for their favourite food, jellyfish.

The impact of plastic on humans is also a growing concern. Humans ingest approximately 40 pounds of plastic during their lifetime. While the full extent of the impact of plastic on humans is yet to be seen, it is clear that plastic pollution is a significant issue for both marine animals and humans.

The plastic we use on a daily basis, half of which is single-use, often ends up in the ocean. About 8 to 10 million tons of plastic make their way into the water every year, and there are believed to be over 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. This plastic pollution is wreaking havoc underwater, killing or crippling marine animals and potentially impacting humans as well.

To reduce the impact of plastic on both marine animals and humans, it is important to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic and to properly dispose of plastic waste.

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