The Ocean's Plastic Crisis: Understanding The Devastating Impact

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all ecosystems, including marine life. It is estimated that 11 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, with 200 million metric tons already circulating in our marine environments. This plastic waste comes from various sources, such as land runoff, littering, industrial activities, and abandoned fishing gear. Richer countries produce more plastic waste per person, but it is the mismanagement of waste in low-to-middle-income countries that contributes significantly to plastic in the oceans. The impact of plastic pollution is far-reaching, with microplastics found in human blood and placentas, as well as in seafood, tap water, and other consumables. To address this issue, it is crucial to reduce plastic consumption, improve waste management practices, and support global efforts to eliminate plastic pollution.

Mismanaged waste

Rivers are the main pathways carrying litter to the sea. However, riverine emissions of plastics and other litter to the ocean are poorly understood compared to the resulting pollution in the marine environment. This calls for a coordinated research response to trace the pathways and tackle the origins of marine litter.

One of the challenges is balancing human needs for food, hygiene, and well-being, which drive plastic production, with the environmental degradation and pollution that occurs as a consequence. In many countries, improvements in waste management are struggling to keep up with the growth in overall plastic waste generated.

To address this issue, tighter waste management systems with fewer 'leaks' and more robust waste collection are necessary. Additionally, legal frameworks, economic instruments, and public outreach campaigns should be implemented to tackle mismanaged plastic waste effectively. Preventing waste must always be prioritized over waste management.

The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is significant. It affects marine life, with 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million seabirds killed annually. It also has implications for human health, as seafood now contains plastic that has absorbed harmful chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption and cancers, posing risks to those who consume seafood.

Plastic in marine animals

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with an estimated 12 million tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year. This plastic waste has severe ecological consequences, particularly for marine animals. Marine animals are affected by plastic pollution in various ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and exposure to toxic chemicals.

Entanglement in plastic debris is a significant threat to marine animals. Abandoned fishing nets, ropes, and monofilament lines can entangle marine mammals, fish, sea turtles, seabirds, and crustaceans, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. The hard surfaces of pelagic plastics also attract colonizers, such as seals and sea lions, which can become trapped and strangled by plastic packing loops.

Ingestion of plastic is another critical issue affecting marine animals. Seabirds, such as albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters, are susceptible to ingesting plastic debris, which can get stuck in their gizzards and cause internal injuries, intestinal blockages, and starvation. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags and sheeting for jellyfish, leading to intestinal blockages and poor nutrition. Marine mammals, including various species of whales, manatees, and seals, have also been confirmed to ingest plastic debris, which can carry harmful pollutants and toxins that accumulate in their fatty tissues.

The presence of microplastics in the ocean further exacerbates the problem of plastic ingestion. Microplastics, formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items, can be mistaken for food by passive feeders like plankton, shellfish, and fish. These tiny plastic particles can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, leading to biomagnification as they move up the food chain. This accumulation of toxins has been observed in apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas, posing a significant threat to these species.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine animals is far-reaching and detrimental. While the exact amount of plastic waste entering the oceans remains uncertain, the ecological consequences are evident. Efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic products are crucial to mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.

Plastic in human food chain

The presence of plastic in the human food chain is now a well-known fact. A study conducted in 2018 found microplastics in the faeces of people in Europe, Russia, and Japan. The study, which included eight volunteers, found an average of 20 micro-particles per 10g of stool. The tiny plastic particles, ranging in size from 50 to 500 micrometres, were likely ingested through seafood, food wrapping, dust, or plastic bottles.

The two most common types of plastic found were polypropylene, found in bottle caps, rope, and strapping, and polyethylene, present in drinking bottles and textiles. Microplastics have also been found in human blood and have been known to pass from mothers to their unborn children through the placenta.

The health implications of microplastics in the human body are still being studied. However, experts believe that plastic in the gut could suppress the immune system and aid the transmission of toxins and harmful bugs or viruses. The UK government has launched a study to assess the health impacts, as microplastics have now been found in foods such as fish, tap water, bottled water, and even beer.

The pervasive use of plastic in modern life makes it extremely difficult to remove it entirely from the food chain. Campaigns by the UN and other organizations target the 8 million tonnes of plastic dumped in the sea each year, mainly due to the dangers it poses to sea life. Many fish and other marine creatures consume the plastics, mistaking them for food, and it then moves up the food chain. Significant amounts of plastic have been detected in seafood items such as tuna, lobster, and shrimp.

To address the issue of plastic in the ocean and, consequently, the human food chain, it is essential to reduce plastic use, reuse and recycle plastic items, and participate in cleanup efforts to prevent plastic pollution from reaching our marine environments.

Plastic pollution solutions

Plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. While the exact amount of plastic in the oceans is uncertain, it is estimated that between 1 million and 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with 8 million metric tons entering in 2010 alone. This plastic pollution has severe ecological, economic, and health implications. Marine wildlife such as turtles, whales, seabirds, and fish ingest plastic, causing their deaths and contaminating the human food chain. The presence of plastic in the ocean also poses a threat to coastal tourism, which is worth £5.5 billion to the UK economy.

To address this issue, a multi-pronged approach is necessary, involving individual behavioural changes, technological advancements, and legislative action:

• Reduce Plastic Use: Individuals can play a significant role in reducing plastic pollution by committing to changing their habits. This includes reducing the use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reusing and recycling plastic products, and avoiding products containing plastic microbeads.
• Support Clean-up Efforts: Organisations like The Ocean Cleanup are dedicated to removing plastic waste from oceans and rivers using advanced technologies. Supporting and volunteering for such initiatives can make a substantial impact.
• Improve Waste Management: Proper waste management is crucial in preventing plastic from entering our oceans. This includes ensuring secure landfills, recycling, and proper disposal of plastic waste.
• Legislative Action: Legislation that reduces plastic production, holds plastic producers accountable for their waste, and discourages the use of single-use plastics is essential. Efforts like the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act in the United States and the global plastics treaty enacted by the United Nations are steps in the right direction.
• Education and Awareness: Spreading awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and educating individuals about solutions can empower them to make informed choices and contribute to collective action.
• Alternative Packaging: Choosing products with non-plastic packaging is a simple yet effective way to reduce plastic consumption. Opting for bulk containers and storing staples like rice and pasta in reusable jars can also minimise plastic waste.

Plastic production

The OECD Global Plastics Outlook estimates that 1.7 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans annually, with more recent studies placing this figure at around 1 million tonnes. However, the exact amount of plastic entering the oceans remains uncertain, with some early studies estimating higher figures of around 8 million tonnes per year. Nonetheless, it is clear that a significant amount of plastic is finding its way into the ocean, with an estimated 5.25 trillion macro and microplastics floating in the open ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes.

Microplastics, which are small plastics less than 5mm in size, are a significant contributor to the plastic pollution in the oceans. They can come from larger plastics breaking down or be produced as small plastics such as microbeads found in personal care products. These microplastics have been found in human blood and can pass from mothers to their unborn children through the placenta.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million seabirds killed each year due to plastic pollution. Additionally, plastic in the ocean absorbs chemicals like PCBs and DDTs, which have been linked to endocrine disruption and even some cancers. As plastic works its way up the food chain, it poses a risk to human health, especially for those who consume seafood.

To address the issue of plastic in the ocean, it is crucial to focus on waste management and reducing plastic production. Improving waste management strategies, such as implementing waste collection and recycling globally, can help prevent plastic from reaching the oceans and improve public health. It is also important to reduce the use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reuse and recycle items, and participate in cleanup efforts to remove plastic from the marine environment.

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