Omar Khalid
Sea turtles are one of the oldest living creatures on Earth, with origins dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the planet. However, their survival is now threatened by plastic pollution, which affects them in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Turtles often mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish, and ingest it, leading to blockages in their digestive system and, eventually, death. They also become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and even lead to drowning. With an estimated 11-13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering our oceans each year, plastic pollution poses a serious and deadly threat to sea turtles and their environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How turtles are affected | Entanglement, ingestion |
| How they get entangled | Turtles can get stuck in plastic waste such as discarded fishing gear, six-pack rings, car tires, and other debris while migrating, feeding, or nesting |
| How plastic ingestion happens | Turtles mistake plastic for food, e.g. plastic bags for jellyfish, or accidentally eat plastic that is present among their natural food, e.g. a plastic straw |
| Plastic ingestion consequences | Blockages within their digestive system and eventual death; a single piece of plastic can cause a one in five chance of premature death |
| Plastic in the ocean | Between 5–13 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually; researchers predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight |
| Plastic ingestion by turtles | All seven of the world's sea turtle species ingest plastic; in some populations, more than 90% of individual turtles have ingested microplastics |
| Plastic ingestion consequences on turtle populations | Feminization of turtle populations due to the hormone-disrupting effects of plastic chemicals and the temperature-raising effects of microplastics on sand |
| Plastic ingestion consequences on individual turtles | Heavy metals in plastics have been linked to hormone-disrupting effects that can cause feminization and infertility; plastic and other pollutants have been linked to harmful tumors |
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What You'll Learn
Ingestion of plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish
Plastic pollution is a major threat to sea turtles, impacting them in many ways. One of the most significant dangers is the ingestion of plastic, particularly when turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and consume them. This mistake can have devastating consequences for sea turtles, leading to severe health issues and even death.
Sea turtles are known to ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for their natural prey, jellyfish. This confusion arises due to the visual similarity between floating plastic bags and jellyfish. As sea turtles swim through the ocean, they may encounter plastic bags that resemble their prey and inadvertently consume them. This act of ingestion sets off a chain of harmful events within their bodies.
The ingested plastic bags do not biodegrade and can cause blockages in the digestive system of sea turtles. These obstructions prevent the normal passage of food and nutrients, leading to malnutrition and starvation. The sharp edges of the plastic bags can also cause internal injuries and lacerations, further compromising the health of the turtles.
Additionally, the chemicals present in plastic bags can have toxic effects on sea turtles. These chemicals, such as bisphenols (BPA), heavy metals, and other toxins, can interfere with the hormonal balance of sea turtles. Studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can lead to feminization, infertility, and even the development of harmful tumors in sea turtle populations.
The ingestion of plastic bags by sea turtles is not an isolated incident but a widespread issue. Researchers have found that all seven species of sea turtles ingest plastic, and in some populations, more than 90% of individual turtles have ingested microplastics. This high rate of ingestion underscores the severity of the problem and highlights the urgent need for action to address plastic pollution in our oceans.
To address this issue, several countries and regions, including Ireland, China, Canada, Australia, the United States, and Europe, have implemented or considered bans or measures to reduce the consumption of plastic bags. These efforts have shown promising results, such as the significant reduction in plastic bag use in Ireland following the introduction of a plastic bag tax in 2002. By taking collective action and reducing our reliance on plastic, we can help protect sea turtles and preserve their delicate ecosystems.
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Entanglement in discarded fishing gear, leading to drowning
Sea turtles are among the oldest living creatures on Earth, with origins dating back at least 110 million years. Unfortunately, plastic pollution now threatens their future. Between 5 and 13 million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter our oceans each year, and researchers predict that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight.
One of the primary ways plastic harms sea turtles is through entanglement, particularly in discarded fishing gear. Turtles often become entangled in fishing gear and, once weighted down, are unable to surface for air and subsequently drown. This gear, also known as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear," can cause severe injuries and hinder turtles' ability to swim, feed, and nest. Scientists estimate that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year from entanglement in plastic, with one study finding that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear perished. The risk of entanglement is especially high for young sea turtles, as they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, where plastic waste is also transported.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is not limited to entanglement. Turtles also ingest plastic, mistaking it for their natural food or accidentally consuming it along with their prey. This leads to blockages in their digestive systems and can cause death. Additionally, microplastics contribute to the feminization of sea turtle populations by raising the temperature of the sand on beaches, resulting in an imbalance in the ratio of male to female hatchlings.
The vast majority of plastic pollution in the oceans comes from land-based sources, such as beaches, streets, landfills, and rivers. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastics do not biodegrade and can break down into smaller, more toxic microplastics over time. While there are ongoing efforts to address plastic pollution, it continues to pose a significant threat to sea turtles and other marine life.
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Attraction to chemicals in plastic, increasing ingestion
Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to sea turtles, and their populations are decreasing. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic that is present among their natural food. For example, a sea turtle may mistake a plastic bag for a jellyfish, or a plastic straw for food.
Sea turtles are also attracted to plastic by the chemicals they emit. Research has shown that turtles respond to the smell of plastics in the same way they do to food. They keep their noses out of the water longer than normal to get a good smell of the plastics. This means that turtles are attracted to plastic from long distances, which increases the likelihood of ingestion.
Plastics contain any mixture of at least 16,000 chemicals, including about 4,200 that are hazardous, such as bisphenols (like BPA), dioxins, flame retardants, PFAS, and heavy metals. These plastic chemicals cause serious health problems in turtles, including hormone-disrupting effects that can feminize sea turtle populations.
The ingestion of plastic is extremely harmful to sea turtles. It can cause blockages within their digestive system and lead to death. Research by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die.
The threat of plastic ingestion is particularly significant for young turtles, which generally ingest the greatest amounts of plastic. They spend their early years floating with ocean currents, where they live in flotsam and eat other organisms that float with the currents. Plastic waste is also transported by ocean currents, leading to a convergence that puts young turtles at higher risk of ingestion.
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Microplastics raising sand temperature, impacting gender ratios
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, impacting them in several ways. One of the primary dangers is through ingestion, where turtles mistake plastic for food or accidentally consume it along with their natural prey. This leads to blockages in their digestive system and can be fatal. Turtles also face the risk of entanglement in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which hinders their movement, feeding abilities, and can even lead to drowning. The presence of plastic at various stages of a turtle's life cycle, from nesting to open ocean, underscores the pervasive nature of this issue.
Microplastics, a product of degraded plastics, have been found to significantly impact the marine habitats of endangered species, including sea turtles. Research has revealed that microplastics, due to their higher specific heat compared to sediment, can alter the temperature of coastal sands. This alteration in temperature poses a unique threat to sea turtles as it can impact the sex ratio of hatchlings.
Sea turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination, where warmer temperatures produce female hatchlings, and cooler temperatures result in males. Studies have shown that microplastics in coastal sands can increase temperatures, with potential consequences for the gender ratios of sea turtle populations. The specific heat of polyethylene, a common plastic, causes the sand to gain or lose heat more slowly, leading to higher temperatures.
The concentration of microplastics in the sand is a critical factor in temperature alteration, with higher concentrations resulting in more significant temperature increases. In one experiment, sand was mixed with black and white microplastics, constituting 5% to 30% of the total volume. The sample containing 30% black microplastics exhibited a mean temperature increase of 0.58°C compared to the control group. This seemingly small change in temperature can have a profound impact on the sex ratio of sea turtle hatchlings, as even slight variations in temperature can push the ratio towards a higher proportion of females.
The presence of microplastics in nesting grounds, combined with the temperature-sensitive nature of sea turtle eggs, underscores the complex and detrimental ways in which plastics are affecting these ancient creatures. As plastic pollution continues to be a pervasive issue, with an estimated 5-13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering our oceans annually, the future of sea turtles and other marine life hangs in the balance. Addressing plastic pollution and understanding its impacts on the environment are crucial steps towards mitigating these threats and ensuring the survival of sea turtles.
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Plastic causing blockages and eventual death
Sea turtles are among the oldest living creatures on Earth, with origins dating back at least 110 million years. However, plastic pollution poses a significant threat to their survival. One of the primary ways plastic affects turtles is by causing blockages and eventual death.
Turtles often mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish, and ingest it. This ingested plastic causes blockages in their digestive systems, leading to fatal consequences. The risk of ingestion is higher for younger turtles and species that feed primarily on the ocean's surface. Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying from ingesting just one piece of plastic. The probability of premature death increased to 50% when turtles ingested 14 plastic items.
The presence of microplastics further exacerbates the problem. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. These small pieces are more easily ingested by turtles and can accumulate in their bodies over time. Additionally, microplastics can act as hosts for invasive species, exacerbating the damage caused by plastic pollution.
The impact of plastic ingestion on turtles is not limited to physical blockages. Plastics contain a mixture of hazardous chemicals, including heavy metals, bisphenols (BPA), dioxins, flame retardants, and PFAS. These chemicals have been linked to various health issues in turtles, including hormone disruption and feminization of populations. The feminization effect is intensified by microplastics, which raise the temperature of the sand on beaches, influencing the sex determination of sea turtle hatchlings.
The ingestion of plastic by sea turtles is a critical issue, leading to blockages, health complications, and death. With the increasing presence of plastic pollution in our oceans, the survival of sea turtles is under significant threat.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution affects sea turtles in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food. They can also get entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and in severe cases, lead to drowning and death.
Between 5 and 13 million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter our oceans annually, with researchers predicting that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by weight. There are currently more than 170 trillion plastic particles estimated to be floating on the ocean's surface alone.
Governments, businesses, and individuals are taking action to fight plastic pollution worldwide. Some ways that people can get involved include not littering, volunteering at local beach clean-up events, properly securing garbage to prevent any fly-away plastics, and not releasing balloons into the air.
