Plastic Pollution: Killing Oceans And Marine Life

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the ocean annually, with plastic debris affecting at least 800 species worldwide. The impact of this pollution is twofold: marine animals either become entangled in plastic or ingest it. This has led to the deaths of thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. The ingestion of plastic can cause intestinal injuries, starvation, and the transfer of plastic up the food chain, ultimately affecting human seafood eaters as well. With plastic production continuing to increase, the problem of ocean plastic pollution demands urgent attention and action to protect marine ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.

Plastic ingestion kills marine animals

Marine animals are dying from ingesting plastic, and this is a problem that humans have created. An estimated 8 to 10 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean each year, threatening marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. This is likely an underestimate, as many animals that die from ingesting plastic end up at the bottom of the ocean, where they decompose and release the plastic for other animals to encounter.

Marine animals can mistake plastic for food. For example, a plastic bag floating in the water can look like a squid to a seal or a marine mammal that hunts by sight. Even species that do not identify prey by sight are not safe. Whales and dolphins use echolocation to find their prey, but this technique is confusing when it comes to plastic. Their multi-million-year-old sonar system has not had time to adjust to the century-old concept of plastic, and it may be that it never will.

A recent study found that over two-thirds of 500 fish species had consumed plastic. Fish often mistake small plastic pieces, such as pellets, for food. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters also take in microplastics when they filter seawater to feed. A recent study of mussels sourced from UK waters found that 100% of samples contained microplastic pieces.

Large items of plastic can also be mistaken for food. Seabirds, for example, can mistake small but visible plastic fragments for food, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. It is estimated that plastic kills up to a million seabirds a year. Scientists predict that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will have eaten pieces of plastic.

The impact of plastic ingestion on marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas is a large but understudied threat. The cumulative impact of microplastics in the food chain and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics are significant dangers. A single plastic particle can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the water around it.

Plastic entanglement kills marine animals

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that has gained significant global awareness in the last decade. It is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the ocean annually, threatening marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Marine animals are swallowing and becoming entangled in plastic at alarming rates, with nearly 1,800 cases of turtles and marine mammals affected off the American coast since 2009.

Plastic entanglement is one of the two primary ways in which marine animals encounter fatal debris, the other being ingestion. Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and sea lions, can become entangled in "ghost" fishing lines, nets, and other plastic-based fishing gear that has been carelessly or intentionally left in the ocean. This equipment continues its deadly purpose, ensnaring unsuspecting marine creatures, often resulting in drowning.

The impact of plastic entanglement is devastating and affects a wide range of species. Rare species, such as the humpback dolphin found in the waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies. If the plastic is not dislodged, it can cut deep into their skin, leaving them vulnerable to deadly infections.

Even if entangled animals are able to move, their prospects are not favourable. The plastic restricts their ability to capture food, sense hunger, escape from predators, and reproduce. It also decreases their body condition and impairs their locomotion. In some cases, entanglement can lead to physical trauma, amputation, or choking.

The issue of plastic entanglement in marine animals is a pressing one that requires a combination of action by governments and big businesses to address. By reducing the production of single-use plastics and offering plastic-free alternatives, we can work towards mitigating the devastating impact of plastic pollution on marine life.

Plastic pollution in the food chain

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that is wreaking havoc on marine life and ecosystems. An estimated 8 to 13 million tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, threatening the diverse species that inhabit these environments and the people who depend on them. Marine animals face two primary dangers from plastic pollution: ingestion and entanglement.

Ingestion of Plastics

Marine animals, from seabirds to whales and dolphins, often mistake plastic waste for food. This ingestion of plastic can lead to starvation as it fills their stomachs, leaving no room for nutrition. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills up to a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually. The problem is exacerbated for animals that rely on eyesight, as plastic bags floating in the water can resemble prey, such as squid. Whales and dolphins, which use echolocation, face a similar challenge as their multi-million-year-old sonar systems struggle to distinguish plastic from their prey.

The ingestion of plastic also introduces toxic chemicals into the bodies of marine animals. These toxins, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pollutants like DDT, PCBs, and hexachlorobenzene, can lead to severe health issues such as allergies, reproductive and hormone problems, immune system disorders, and even cancer. Additionally, plastic additives, such as styrene, toxic metals, phthalates, bisphenol A, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, can act as "substrates," transferring these harmful chemicals to animal tissues and impairing key body functions.

Entanglement in Plastics

Marine animals also face the risk of entanglement in abandoned ""ghost" fishing gear and plastic debris. This equipment, carelessly or intentionally discarded, can ensnare marine creatures, leading to drowning or severe injuries. The struggle to free themselves from plastic entanglement can result in deep cuts, leaving animals vulnerable to deadly infections.

Microplastics and the Food Chain

Plastic pollution enters the food chain through fish and other marine animals. Microplastics, particles smaller than 5mm, are easily ingested by marine organisms and can accumulate in their bodies. These microplastics can act as carriers for toxic chemicals, which are then transferred to the animals that consume them, including humans. This contamination moves up the food chain, starting with smaller organisms like plankton and arrow worms, which are then eaten by larger predators, leading to the bioaccumulation of toxins.

The impact of plastic pollution on the food chain is complex and not fully understood. While plastic is not the only way toxins enter the food chain, its role in bioaccumulation cannot be overlooked. The number of individual animals affected by plastic is challenging to estimate, but it is likely in the billions, impacting a wide range of species.

Plastic waste in the ocean

One of the most well-known examples of ocean plastic accumulation is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the north-central Pacific Ocean. This vast gyre of plastic debris spans an area twice the size of Texas and contains a staggering 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic. The impact of this plastic pollution on marine life is devastating. It is estimated that up to 100,000 marine animals, including whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds, die each year from ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it.

Ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal injuries, starvation, and even death. For example, sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish or fishing nets for seaweed, causing them to feel full and eventually starve. Seabirds, with their habit of feeding from the ocean's surface, are also susceptible to ingesting plastic fragments, mistaking them for food. This ingestion of plastic reduces the storage volume in their stomachs, leading to starvation.

Entanglement in plastic debris is another significant cause of injury and mortality among marine animals. "Ghost" fishing gear, including nets and lines, accounts for a considerable proportion of this issue. Marine mammals, such as humpback dolphins, can become entangled in this abandoned fishing equipment, leading to severe injuries and the risk of deadly infections. The issue of entanglement is not limited to marine mammals, as even animals that do not typically ingest plastic can fall victim to it.

The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean extends beyond the immediate harm it causes to marine life. Plastic can break down into smaller pieces known as microplastics and nanoplastics, which can find their way into the food chain. This has led to biomagnification, where toxins build up in the fatty tissues of animals that consume contaminated prey. The chemicals then accumulate as they move up the food chain, affecting top predators like orcas, which have been found with high levels of chemicals in their fatty tissues and breast milk.

Addressing the plastic waste crisis in the ocean requires a multifaceted approach. It involves reducing plastic leakage into the environment, promoting reusable and recyclable materials, and improving waste management practices. By taking action at the source and raising global awareness, we can work towards mitigating the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and the countless lives they support.

Plastic waste killing endangered species

Plastic waste is one of the most pressing environmental issues, threatening marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. It is estimated that about eight million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, with plastic items being found in coastal waters and transported by ocean currents around the world. This plastic waste is harmful to marine life, killing up to a million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals annually.

Nearly 2,100 species, including endangered ones, are known to be affected by plastics. Endangered species such as the humpback dolphin, which is only found in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies. The plastic cuts deep into their skin, leaving them vulnerable to deadly infections. Another example is the sperm whale, which stranded on a Spanish beach and died due to inflammation caused by nearly 30 kilograms of indigestible plastic in its gut.

Endangered seabirds are also at risk, with nearly every species of seabird consuming plastic. When they ingest plastic, chemicals are released, causing illness, dehydration, and blockage in their digestive systems. A recent study found that birds that ingest large amounts of plastic have low calcium levels and high cholesterol and uric acid in their blood. This can lead to severe scarring and inflammation in the digestive tract, a disease called Plasticosis, which has been linked to multi-organ damage in seabirds.

In addition to ingestion, marine animals also face the threat of entanglement in plastic waste, such as abandoned fishing gear or six-pack rings. This entanglement can lead to strangulation, suffocation, or drowning, as marine mammals cannot breathe underwater. Rare species, such as the humpback dolphin, have been observed with plastic tightly wrapped around their bodies, which can be fatal if not removed.

The impact of plastic waste on endangered species is a serious issue that requires global action. By reducing plastic consumption, properly disposing of waste, and raising awareness, we can help protect and restore the Earth before it's too late.

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