Ocean Plastic Crisis: Weighing The Damage

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue, with an estimated 8 to 14 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. This plastic waste comes from a variety of sources, including mismanaged waste, the fishing industry, and riverine plastic emissions. The consequences of plastic pollution are dire, with microplastics and larger items alike wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems and wildlife. With predictions that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight by 2050, it is crucial to address this issue through improved waste management, reduced plastic production and usage, and holding plastic producers accountable for their harmful waste.

Mismanaged waste

The amount of plastic in the ocean is challenging to determine, as it includes anything from large fishing nets to tiny nanoplastics and microplastics. However, it is estimated that around 0.5% of all plastic waste ends up in the ocean, with most of it staying close to the shoreline. The amount of plastic entering the ocean each year is estimated to be about 8 to 14 million tons, with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicting a total of 950 million tons of ocean plastic by 2050.

The majority of marine litter is mismanaged plastic waste, primarily plastic packaging and small non-packaging plastic items (PPSI). Despite improvements in waste management, the increase in plastic waste generation, especially in developed countries, continues to outpace these efforts. For example, while the EU-27 achieved an average recycling rate of 41% in 2019, significant volumes of waste are still exported to developing countries for recycling, where the "rejects" end up in regional waterways and eventually flow into the oceans.

Rivers are the primary pathways for litter to reach the sea, yet riverine emissions of plastics are poorly understood compared to the pollution they cause in the marine environment. This calls for better research and coordination to develop precise policies and actions to address the issue. Additionally, the fishing industry directly contributes to plastic waste in the ocean, with an estimated 10% of ocean waste consisting of ghost gear, such as lost fishing nets, traps, and lines.

To reduce the amount of mismanaged waste ending up in our oceans, a multi-level approach is necessary, including stronger local, pan-European, and global responses. This involves improving waste management systems, reducing plastic use, and preventing waste generation in the first place. Public outreach campaigns and economic instruments can also play a role in tackling mismanaged plastic waste.

Plastic production

Plastic is a cheap, versatile, and sterile material used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging. However, when plastic waste is mismanaged—not recycled, incinerated, or kept in sealed landfills—it becomes an environmental pollutant. One to two million tonnes of plastic enter our oceans yearly, affecting wildlife and ecosystems. This accounts for less than 0.5% of the world's plastic waste. Rich countries tend to produce the most plastic waste per person, but waste mismanagement is more common in low-to-middle-income countries.

The amount of plastic entering the ocean, combined with the plastic already floating in it, poses a dire threat to the health of our seas. Studies have shown that people use single-use plastic bags for around 12 minutes before throwing them away, and less than 1% of the estimated 5 trillion plastic bags used annually are recycled. Around 300 million plastic bags enter the Atlantic Ocean alone each year, and this is just one of the world's five oceans.

Most scientists agree that, unless drastic action is taken, there will be more plastic in the ocean (by weight) than fish by 2050. There are at least five giant ocean garbage patches, the biggest measuring roughly three times the size of France. While it is challenging to quantify the amount of plastic in the ocean precisely, it is clear that we are facing a significant environmental crisis that requires immediate attention and collective effort to address.

Plastic in the food chain

Plastic in the ocean is a pressing issue, with scientists predicting that there will be more plastic in the ocean (by weight) than fish by 2050 unless drastic action is taken. This plastic enters the ocean primarily from land, with a large proportion originating from the fishing industry and rapidly growing economies. It is estimated that 11 million metric tons of plastic currently circulate in marine environments, with an additional 1-2 million tons entering the oceans annually.

Marine life, such as sea turtles, often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to the ingestion of microplastics. This ingestion can cause life-threatening issues, including reduced fitness, nutrient uptake, and feeding efficiency, all vital for survival. Studies have shown that 100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs, and plastic has been found in over 60% of seabirds and all sea turtle species.

The impact of plastic in the food chain extends beyond marine life, as seafood is now often contaminated with plastic. Microplastics have been found in mussels and other seafood items, and they can absorb harmful chemicals like PCBs and DDTs, which are linked to endocrine disruption and cancers. These contaminated seafood items then enter the human food chain, posing potential health risks.

To address the issue of plastic in the food chain, it is crucial to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. This can be achieved through improved waste management practices, such as recycling, incineration, and sealed landfills. Additionally, supporting organizations dedicated to ocean conservation and participating in local clean-up efforts can help mitigate the impact of plastic on the food chain.

Microplastics

The presence of microplastics in the ocean is a significant concern due to their potential impact on marine life and ecosystems. Aquatic life, from large filter-feeding whales to tiny plankton, can mistake microplastics for food, leading to ingestion. While this may not be lethal in the short term, the long-term effects on these organisms and microbial communities could be detrimental. Research suggests that microplastics may disrupt key Earth systems, such as ocean carbon storage and nitrogen cycling, which are crucial for mitigating atmospheric CO2 increase and maintaining ocean health.

The prevalence of microplastics in the ocean is widespread, with an estimated 358 trillion microplastic particles floating on the surface of the world's oceans and countless more in deeper regions. Scientists believe that the majority of plastics in the ocean are likely microplastics, either suspended in the water or buried in sediments. This makes them difficult to track and study, as they are not easily visible to the naked eye.

While the exact weight of microplastics in the ocean is challenging to determine, it is clear that they contribute significantly to the overall plastic pollution in our seas. With plastic production expected to increase over the next decade and an estimated 12 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, the problem of microplastics is only expected to grow. This has led to warnings from scientists that by 2050, the weight of plastic in the ocean could exceed that of fish if drastic action is not taken.

Plastic pollution solutions

The amount of plastic in the ocean is difficult to quantify, as it includes anything from large fishing nets to tiny nanoplastic particles. However, scientists estimate that about 8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010, and this problem continues to grow. Indeed, it is estimated that between 4 and 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with some sources placing this figure at 14 million tons. This is projected to triple in the next 20 years, and it is predicted that there will be up to 950 million tons of ocean plastic by 2050. This means that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean by weight than fish.

To combat this, there are several solutions that can be implemented:

• Reducing plastic use: Being more aware of how and why plastic is used can help reduce plastic consumption. This can be done by committing to changing habits, such as reducing the use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reusing and recycling items instead.
• Participating in clean-ups: Volunteering to pick up marine litter in your local community can help keep plastic out of the ocean. Organisations like NOAA's Marine Debris Program (MDP) work to understand how plastics and other marine debris get into the ocean and how they can be removed and kept from polluting the marine environment in the future.
• Avoiding products with plastic microbeads: Microplastics are small plastics less than 5mm in size, which can come from large plastics breaking down or be produced as small plastics such as microbeads found in products like toothpaste and face wash. These microbeads can be avoided by looking for "polythelene" and "polypropylene" on the ingredient labels of cosmetic products.
• Improving waste management: Most ocean-bound plastic originates on land, due to poor or careless waste management. Improving waste management practices can help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean.
• Legislative action: Supporting local, national, and international legislation that provides critical solutions to reduce plastic pollution is important. This includes legislation that reduces plastic production, improves waste management, and holds plastic producers responsible for the waste they generate.

By implementing these solutions, we can work towards a future where plastic no longer pollutes our oceans and threatens marine life and ecosystems.

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