Sofia Martinez
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to marine life and ecosystems. Marine animals, from large mammals to tiny seahorses, face the dangers of entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. The pervasive presence of plastic in the ocean, including microplastics, has severe consequences for the health of marine species, ecosystems, and even human health. With plastic waste reaching even the most remote areas of the ocean, addressing this global problem requires international cooperation and systemic change to protect marine life and our planet's health.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Marine megafauna, such as whales, dolphins, and turtles, are vulnerable to ingesting plastic. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40kg of plastic in its stomach, mostly plastic bags. Turtles often mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish or seaweed. When turtles eat plastic, it can make them feel full, leading to starvation. Research shows that half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic, and a recent study found that ingesting just 14 pieces of plastic increases their risk of death.
Seabirds are also affected by plastic ingestion, with plastic waste killing up to a million seabirds annually. Like turtles, seabirds can starve when their stomachs are filled with plastic.
Fish are another group that is susceptible to plastic ingestion. A study summarising over 100 research papers on plastic ingestion among 500 fish species found that over two-thirds had consumed plastic. Fish often mistake small plastic pieces for food. Molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, also ingest microplastics when filtering seawater to feed. A study of mussels from UK waters found that 100% of the samples contained microplastic pieces.
Deep-sea fish, in particular, are understudied, but recent research has found high concentrations of microplastics in pelagic fish. These fish may ingest plastic frequently at the interface of the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones, contributing to the high levels of microplastics in deep-sea ecosystems.
The rate of plastic consumption by fish is increasing, with the rate doubling over the last decade. This increase is due to improved detection methods and a higher number of fish consuming plastic. Certain species are more vulnerable to plastic ingestion than others, with fish in heavily polluted East Asian waters showing the highest levels. Predatory fish higher up on the food chain are at the greatest risk.
The ingestion of plastic by marine life has severe consequences for their health and can lead to gastrointestinal blockages, perforations, and malnutrition. Microplastics can adsorb toxins, which accumulate in the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. This contributes to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in marine apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas.
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Entanglement and entrapment
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. One of the most obvious consequences is the damage caused when animals come into contact with plastic items, including entanglement and entrapment.
Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a significant threat to marine mammals and sea turtles. Many marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, become entangled as they swim or while on the beach. This entanglement can lead to drowning, starvation, physical trauma, and infections. It also impairs their ability to avoid vessels, increasing the risk of vessel strikes.
Fishing ropes, nets, and pots made of plastic are often discarded or abandoned at sea, trapping various marine creatures, from large whales to small crabs. An estimated 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die each year from entanglement in ghost gear.
Smaller animals, like dolphins, seals, and sea lions, can be captured and disentangled by trained professionals. However, freeing entangled marine animals can be dangerous for both the animal and the rescuer. To safely release large animals like whales, rescuers must follow specific guidelines and techniques.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond entanglement. Marine animals may ingest plastic, leading to internal injuries, starvation, and the ingestion of toxic compounds. Microplastics, in particular, are consumed by various marine organisms, entering the food chain and threatening the health of the planet and its inhabitants.
Addressing plastic pollution requires global cooperation and concerted efforts to reduce plastic use and improve disposal methods. By limiting plastic pollution, we can protect marine species, preserve ecosystems, and promote a more sustainable future.
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Impact on marine ecosystems
Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. The most obvious consequence is the damage caused to animals when they come into contact with or ingest plastic, including entanglement, suffocation, starvation, and drowning. Floating plastic debris can also allow species such as coastal organisms to spread far from their usual environments, upsetting the natural balance.
Large items of plastic can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to injury, starvation, and increased vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can smother and break coral reefs, preventing healthy growth. Plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean. According to a study, corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting a disease, compared to a 4% likelihood for corals that do not.
Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to issues such as intestinal injury, suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, in particular, are easily consumed by marine animals and can enter the food chain, leading to disastrous consequences for the planet and all its inhabitants. Research has found plastic in the guts of fish, mussels, oysters, and seabirds, indicating that microplastics are now pervasive in the food chain.
Plastic pollution also affects marine ecosystems by acting as a transport mechanism for invasive species, threatening biodiversity and the natural food web. Floating plastic debris can carry invasive species to new environments, allowing them to thrive in the open ocean and outcompete native species. Additionally, the accumulation of plastic debris can modify marine habitats, degrading benthic ecosystems and reducing species richness and composition.
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Plastic's toxicity and health effects
Marine life is facing a growing threat from plastic toxicity and its associated health effects. Plastic waste in the ocean, which amounts to up to 13 million tons annually, poses a significant risk to the health of marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them. The toxic effects of plastic pollution extend from individual organisms to entire ecosystems, with far-reaching consequences.
One of the primary ways plastic toxicity affects marine life is through ingestion. Marine animals, from large whales to small fish, often mistake plastic debris for food. For example, sea turtles may confuse plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural prey, and seabirds can mistake floating plastic for prey, leading to fatal blockages in their digestive systems. Additionally, plastic waste can break down into microplastics, which are tiny particles that are easily ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from molluscs like mussels and oysters to fish and seabirds. These microplastics can absorb and concentrate toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, which then accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals that consume them. This process, known as biomagnification, results in higher concentrations of toxins in organisms higher up the food chain, including apex predators like orcas and great white sharks.
The toxic effects of plastic pollution extend beyond individual organisms to entire ecosystems. For instance, discarded fishing nets and other plastic debris can smother and damage coral reefs, hindering their growth and increasing their susceptibility to diseases. Plastic pollution also contributes to the spread of invasive species, such as algae, which can have detrimental effects on sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs and negatively impact economic activities like fisheries and tourism.
Furthermore, plastic pollution has socio-economic implications for humans. As microplastics and their associated toxins accumulate in marine organisms, they can enter the human food chain through the consumption of seafood. This ingestion of contaminated seafood can have adverse health effects on humans, as toxic chemicals accumulate in our bodies. Additionally, plastic pollution can negatively impact coastal tourism and fisheries, further underscoring the interconnectedness of ecological and socio-economic systems.
The toxicological effects of plastic pollution in the marine environment are diverse and far-reaching. They highlight the urgent need for global cooperation to address this issue and mitigate the health risks posed to both marine life and human populations.
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Plastic's persistence in the ocean
Plastic is one of the most durable materials ever created, and it can take hundreds of years to degrade. This durability is one of plastic's greatest assets as a material, but it also means that once plastic enters the ocean, it will persist there for long periods. The oldest pieces of plastic found in ocean cleanups date back to the 1960s, and marine life has been bearing the consequences ever since.
Plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources all over the world every day. While only a small proportion of plastic is disposed of incorrectly, and an even smaller part enters waterways, the sheer amount of plastic produced means that a massive amount still ends up in the ocean. It is estimated that 5–13 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the ocean each year, threatening marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
Plastic in the ocean affects creatures large and small, from seabirds, whales, and dolphins to tiny seahorses that live in coral reefs. Marine megafauna are vulnerable to plastic entanglement and ingestion, with an estimated 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises dying from ghost gear entanglement each year. In 2019, one whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, and half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple food, and plastic can cause them to feel full, leading to starvation.
Small plastic fragments can sit on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They can also absorb toxins, which can then transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. In a study of mussels sourced from UK waters, 100% of samples were found to contain microplastic pieces.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. Marine animals can get entangled in plastic debris, which can cause injury, suffocation, starvation, and drowning. They can also ingest plastic, which can lead to intestinal injury, starvation, and the ingestion of toxins. Plastic pollution also affects reproduction rates and encourages the growth of pathogens in the ocean.
Plastic pollution in the ocean affects creatures large and small. Marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and seals are vulnerable to plastic entanglement and ingestion. Seabirds, sea turtles, and fish are also commonly affected by plastic waste. In addition, plastic pollution can impact smaller organisms such as coral reefs and seahorses.
Plastic leaks into the ocean from thousands of sources worldwide every day due to increasing consumption and improper waste management. Plastic waste is often improperly disposed of or abandoned, ending up in the ocean through wind and water currents. Plastic can also enter the ocean through runoff from consumer goods manufacturing and clothing washing, as microplastic fibers can be shed during the washing process.
Reducing the presence of plastic in the ocean is crucial for saving marine species and ecosystems. Global cooperation and systemic efforts are needed to address plastic pollution, and international organizations like the UN and UNEA have been working towards addressing this issue. Individuals can also play a role by reducing their plastic consumption, properly disposing of plastic waste, and supporting organizations working to prevent and clean up ocean plastic pollution.
