Plastic Pollution: A Deadly Threat To Animal Life

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that is wreaking havoc on marine life, with an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans, and a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year. The impact of this pollution on marine animals is devastating and far-reaching, causing death and injury through ingestion and entanglement, as well as chemical contamination that can harm reproductive systems. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animal deaths caused by plastic pollution, it is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic ingestion or entanglement, with a further 1 million seabirds also falling victim to plastic.

Plastic ingestion kills animals

Plastic ingestion is a significant cause of death for many marine animals. It is estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic ingestion each year, and this is likely an underestimate. The majority of marine animal deaths go unobserved, and the true extent of plastic pollution on marine life is unknown. However, it is clear that plastic ingestion is a severe threat to marine life.

Plastic waste in the ocean is often mistaken for food by marine animals. Sea turtles, for example, frequently mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which are a favourite food. Once ingested, plastic blocks the digestive systems of these animals, leading to starvation. In some cases, plastic can also pierce internal organs, causing internal bleeding and organ failure, as seen in a wild elephant that died from ingesting plastic waste.

Marine mammals are also at risk of ingesting plastic. It is estimated that 56% of whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain with just under 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. The cause of death was inflammation caused by the plastic, which was coated in various toxins.

In addition to marine life, plastic ingestion also affects land animals. There have been reported cases of elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle accidentally consuming plastic waste, resulting in death.

Plastic pollution has contaminated creatures across the tree of life, from insects to whales. Seabirds are particularly at risk, as they often mistake plastic for food. Ingestion can cause physical and hormonal damage to cells and organs, leading to a newly identified disease called "plasticosis," which inhibits digestion.

Reducing plastic waste is essential to protect marine and land animals from the harmful effects of plastic ingestion. Individuals can play a role by reducing plastic consumption, recycling, and disposing of plastic waste responsibly.

Entanglement in plastic leads to suffocation or drowning

Marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, often become entangled in plastic as they swim or while on the beach. This plastic includes fishing gear, nets, and other debris such as plastic bags. Entanglement in plastic can cause severe injuries, which may become infected and, in some cases, prove fatal. It is a leading cause of human-induced mortality in many whale species, especially right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.

Smaller marine animals, such as smaller whales, sea turtles, seals, porpoises, and dolphins, may drown immediately if the plastic is large or heavy. Large whales can usually pull gear, or parts of it, off the ocean floor, and are generally not at immediate risk of drowning. However, they do face risks from exhaustion and infection.

Entanglement in plastic can also lead to suffocation. For example, in Florida, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found entangled in a plastic bag that had become filled with sand. The plastic bag had wrapped around the animal's neck, and scientists believe the animal drowned due to the weight of the bag or suffocated from the entanglement.

It is challenging to estimate the exact number of marine animals that die from entanglement in plastic. However, a study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year, with entanglement being one of the leading causes. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species.

Plastic waste affects entire ecosystems

Plastic waste is a pressing environmental issue, threatening not only individual animals but entire ecosystems. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste are currently in our oceans, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment every year. This waste comes from a variety of sources, including single-use plastic products, fishing gear, and agricultural runoff.

The impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems is devastating. One of the most affected groups of animals is marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. These animals often become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injuries, suffocation, or drowning. In addition, they may ingest plastic, which can cause fatal inflammation of abdominal tissues. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic.

Another group of animals particularly vulnerable to plastic waste are sea turtles. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for their favourite food, jellyfish, and ingest them. Once eaten, plastic blocks the digestive systems of these turtles, leading to starvation. All seven species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution.

The effects of plastic waste go beyond individual animals, impacting entire ecosystems. Coral reefs, for example, are damaged by plastic pollution, which can cause disease and bleaching. This, in turn, affects the fish and other marine animals that rely on the coral reef as their habitat. If the coral reef is destroyed, the entire ecosystem is disrupted.

Plastic waste also has far-reaching consequences for aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics, which are tiny particles of broken-down plastic, have been found in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. These microplastics are ingested by marine organisms, leading to potential health risks. Additionally, plastic waste can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods and well-being.

Plastic takes 500-1000 years to degrade

Plastic is killing animals in our oceans. Marine life, as we know it, is suffering irreparable damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped into the oceans each year. The result is a planetary crisis with over 100 million marine animals' lives lost every year, and the decay of the ocean's ecosystem.

Plastic waste can take anywhere from 20 to 500 years to decompose, and even then, it never fully disappears; it just gets smaller and smaller. Plastic straws can take up to 200 years to decompose. The plastic in coffee pods takes more than 500 years to break down, releasing harmful amounts of methane gas as it does so. Plastic bottles made from PET take around 450 years to decompose.

There are two principal ways that encountering marine debris can be fatal for marine creatures: ingestion or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic. Single-use plastic is a new threat to our ocean and marine mammals like whales.

Plastic bags are often mistaken for jellyfish

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Among the many species affected by this crisis, sea turtles stand out as particularly vulnerable. The reason for this lies in their inability to distinguish between jellyfish, one of their staple foods, and plastic bags. This confusion arises from the striking visual similarity between floating plastic bags and jellyfish, coupled with the fact that microbes, algae, and tiny animals colonize the plastic bags over time, creating a scent that attracts hungry turtles.

The consequences of this mistaken identity are dire. When sea turtles ingest plastic, it can cause intestinal blockages, leading to starvation and, in some cases, death. The sharp edges of the plastic can also pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. Even if the turtles survive the initial ingestion, the presence of plastic in their stomachs can create a false sense of fullness, leading them to stop seeking out actual food sources. This further contributes to their starvation and decline in health.

The problem is exacerbated by the sheer amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in the oceans and an additional 33 billion pounds entering annually, the risk of sea turtles encountering and mistaking plastic for food is alarmingly high. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, is a stark example of this crisis. It is the largest trash site on the planet, twice the surface area of Texas, and has a higher concentration of plastic than sea life.

While the impact on sea turtles is a pressing concern, it is important to recognize that plastic pollution affects a multitude of marine species. It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. Entanglement in plastic debris, such as discarded fishing gear and six-pack rings, is a significant cause of death, with 100,000 marine animals succumbing to it annually. Additionally, plastic pollution contributes to chemical contamination, which can harm the reproductive systems of marine animals and disrupt entire ecosystems, such as coral reefs, which provide habitats for numerous species.

To address this pressing issue, it is crucial to reduce plastic consumption, recycle, and dispose of plastic waste responsibly. By making conscious choices, such as opting for reusable bags and bottles, we can collectively make a significant impact in mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life, including the unfortunate instances of sea turtles mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish.

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