The Deep Sea's Plastic Problem: An Ominous Reality

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing global crisis. While the exact amount of plastic in the ocean is uncertain, it is estimated that 14 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with 0.5% of the world's plastic waste ending up in the ocean. This plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life, with thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals killed annually due to ingestion or entanglement. The deep sea is not immune to this pollution, as even the deepest parts of the ocean show signs of plastic contamination.

Plastic waste management

The world produces around 350 million to 400 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and a large portion of this waste is mismanaged. Mismanagement of plastic waste refers to not recycling, incinerating, or disposing of it in sealed landfills. This mismanagement leads to plastic leaking into the environment, including our oceans. Improper waste disposal, such as illegal dumping and flushing non-biodegradable items, contributes significantly to the plastic surge in our seas.

To address this issue, it is essential to improve waste management practices globally, especially in lower-to-middle-income countries, where waste management infrastructure may be lacking. This includes investing in proper waste collection, recycling, and disposal systems. Additionally, reducing plastic consumption and production is crucial. People can contribute by reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic products and disposing of waste properly.

Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are working to identify sources of mismanaged waste leakage into the ocean and focus cleanup efforts on those locations. Local and global organizations, companies, and initiatives are also collaborating to stop plastic pollution at its source before it reaches the ocean. This includes working with the private sector, NGOs, governments, and stakeholders to address plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle.

Furthermore, addressing plastic waste management is not just beneficial for ocean health but also has positive impacts on economic and job growth, human health, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By improving waste management practices and reducing plastic consumption and production, we can make significant strides in mitigating the amount of plastic that ends up in the deep sea.

Microplastics

Another study, published in 2018, examined two specific deep-sea starfish species—Ophiomusium lymani and Hymenaster pellucidus—and found that across 39 years, from 1976 to 2015, half of the specimens sampled had ingested microplastics, with traces of eight different types of plastic identified. The research suggests that microplastics may have been present in the deep sea earlier than 1976, as starfish from the 1970s were found to have similar levels of microplastics as those from today.

The presence of microplastics in the deep sea is a major concern due to their potential impact on marine life. Ingesting microplastics can cause internal physical damage to animals, such as inflammation of intestines and reduced feeding. Microplastics can also move up the food chain, affecting top predators such as tuna, salmon, and sharks.

Marine life consumption

Marine life is facing severe threats from the consumption of plastics that end up in the deep sea. Plastic pollution in the ocean is a significant issue, with an estimated 8 to 13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering the ocean annually. This waste comes from a variety of sources, including littering, improper waste disposal, and industrial activities such as fishing. Marine animals, from fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, and even the largest whales, are all affected by this pollution.

One of the primary dangers to marine life is plastic ingestion. Animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to severe health issues. For example, sea turtles may consume plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, their natural prey. Similarly, seabirds, which constitute the majority of animal deaths from plastic ingestion, can mistake floating plastic fragments for food, leading to starvation and toxic contamination.

The ingestion of plastics can lead to blockages in the digestive system, causing a sense of fullness that eventually leads to starvation. Additionally, plastics can release toxic chemicals, which can accumulate in the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. These toxins can then be transferred to humans through the consumption of contaminated seafood, posing a significant health risk.

Another critical issue is plastic entanglement, which primarily affects large marine mammals. Derelict fishing gear, including nets, ropes, and pots, can trap and entangle various marine creatures, from whales to small crabs. This entanglement can lead to injury, increased vulnerability to predators, and even death. It is estimated that approximately 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises perish annually due to entanglement in ghost gear.

Furthermore, microplastics, tiny plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have become a significant concern. These particles are easily consumed by marine life and can absorb and release toxins. Microplastics have been found in drinking water, salt, beer, and even in the soil where we grow our food, demonstrating their pervasive presence in the environment and their ability to enter the human food chain.

The impact of plastic consumption on marine life is profound and far-reaching. It not only affects the health and survival of individual organisms but also disrupts entire ecosystems and food webs. Addressing this issue requires a global effort to reduce plastic waste, improve waste management practices, and transition to more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

Plastic production

The fate of plastics once they enter the ocean has puzzled researchers, and it is challenging to quantify the amount of plastic in the ocean. Early studies estimated that up to 8 million tons of plastic entered the oceans annually, while more recent research suggests a range of 1 million to 1.7 million tons. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates 14 million tons per year. However, the amount of plastic floating on the ocean surface is significantly less, with estimates ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of tons. This discrepancy has been termed the "missing plastic problem."

It is believed that a large portion of plastic sinks to the seabed or remains close to the shoreline. Ultraviolet light may also break down plastics quickly, contributing to the lower levels of plastic observed on the ocean surface. Nonetheless, plastic pollution in the ocean is a severe problem. It is estimated that 358 trillion microplastic particles are floating on the ocean surface, with even more found at the seabed's depths.

The adverse effects of plastic pollution on marine life and human health are well-documented. Marine animals, such as sea turtles and seabirds, often mistake plastic for food, leading to life-threatening issues. Microplastics are also present in our seafood, tap water, and salt, posing potential toxicity risks. To address the plastic crisis, global efforts are needed to improve waste collection and management, reduce plastic consumption, and transition to a circular economy model.

Ocean pollution

Plastic debris in the ocean does not fully biodegrade and can persist for hundreds of years. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller pieces known as microplastics, which can be found in deep-sea sediments and the ocean surface. These microplastics can enter the marine food chain, posing a significant threat to sea life. Studies indicate that thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals succumb to plastic ingestion or entanglement annually. The problem is not limited to a specific region but is prevalent from the equator to the poles, affecting all five of the Earth's major ocean gyres.

The primary source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with around 80% of plastic originating onshore. Careless waste disposal, including illegal dumping and littering, contributes significantly to the issue. Plastic products, such as single-use items, are often improperly discarded, ending up in rivers or coastlines and eventually making their way into the ocean. Additionally, microfibres from clothing and personal care products released into waterways contribute to the growing presence of microplastics in the ocean.

The extent of plastic pollution in the deep sea remains challenging to determine due to the inaccessibility of the deepest ocean regions. However, it is estimated that there could be up to 10,000 times more plastic particles on the seafloor than on the surface. This disparity is partly due to the chemical composition of plastics, which affects their buoyancy and degradation rate. Some plastics, like Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), are highly durable and can take up to 450 years to degrade.

Addressing the issue of ocean plastic pollution requires collective efforts. Initiatives such as the High Seas Treaty and the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution aim to protect marine areas and encourage countries to transition to a circular economy for plastic. Additionally, individual actions, such as reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic products, as well as proper waste disposal, are crucial in mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans.

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