Chloe Zhang
Marine life is facing a crisis due to the ever-increasing amount of plastic in the world's oceans. Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution, with an estimated 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. Plastic affects marine life in a variety of ways, from entanglement and ingestion to toxic contamination. Marine species can mistake plastic for food, leading to intestinal injury, suffocation, starvation, and death. Furthermore, plastics can adsorb toxins, which accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them, leading to biomagnification up the food chain. The presence of plastic in the ocean also facilitates the transport of invasive species, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web. The consequences of plastic pollution are dire, contributing to species extinction, health problems, and ecosystem destruction. With predictions that plastic will outweigh fish in the sea by 2050, urgent action is needed to address this global crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine species affected | Fish, seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, sharks, Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, cetaceans, molluscs, coral reefs, marine mammals, humans |
| Impact on marine life | Entanglement, injury, ingestion, starvation, suffocation, drowning, intestinal injury, death, toxic contamination, endocrine disruption, neurodevelopmental issues, reproductive issues, immune disorders, bioaccumulation of toxins |
| Plastic in oceans | 8-13 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year; plastic debris is 80% of all marine debris; by 2050, plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea |
| Microplastics | Tiny particles of plastic that can be ingested by marine animals, entering the food chain; microplastics can adsorb toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them |
| Prevention | Minimise plastic leakage into the natural environment, make plastics less toxic, increase the likelihood that plastics can be recycled, public education, cleanup of waterways, reduce disposable product consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion by marine life
One of the primary ways plastic harms marine life is through ingestion, which can lead to blockage of digestive tracts, reduced appetite, and altered feeding behaviour. This results in decreased growth and reproductive rates among affected species. Seabirds, in particular, are prone to ingesting plastic debris that floats on the ocean surface, and they may inadvertently feed plastic to their chicks, impacting their growth and survival chances. Research has found plastic debris in the stomachs of various marine creatures, including a grey whale near Seattle, a harbour seal pup off the coast of Scotland, and numerous sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean.
Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, pose a significant threat to marine life as they can be easily ingested by a range of organisms, from water fleas to fish and shellfish. These microscopic plastic fragments can accumulate in the guts of marine animals, potentially impacting their health. While most microplastics remain in the digestive system, there are concerns about their potential to absorb and transfer toxins to the fatty tissues of organisms, a process known as biomagnification. This can result in the transfer of toxic chemicals up the food chain, affecting apex predators such as orcas and great white sharks.
The presence of microplastics in marine life also raises concerns for human health, as plastic contamination has been found in seafood consumed by people. While the direct impact of ingesting microplastics is still being studied, the potential risks to human health are significant, given the widespread presence of microplastics in the environment, including drinking water, salt, beer, and even the soil where we grow our food.
The sources of plastic pollution in the ocean are varied, with the majority attributed to littering and improper disposal of disposable plastic items. However, a significant portion, about 20%, is a result of industrial fishing and improper manufacturing processes. Plastic waste accounts for 80% of all marine pollution, and it is estimated that 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with some estimates reaching up to 13 million metric tons.
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Plastic entanglement of marine life
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a grave threat to marine life. One of the significant ways plastic harms marine animals is through entanglement. Marine animals of all sizes, from large whales to small fish, can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, suffocation, starvation, and even death.
Large marine mammals, such as whales, are particularly vulnerable to plastic entanglement, especially in ghost fishing gear. Ghost fishing gear refers to discarded or abandoned fishing ropes, nets, and pots made of plastic that can trap and entangle marine creatures. The entanglement can restrict their movement, making it difficult for them to escape predators or find food, leading to starvation and increased vulnerability.
Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, are also at risk of entanglement. They can become entangled in plastic debris or abandoned fishing gear, causing injuries and impairing their ability to swim and feed. For example, endangered species like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species affected by plastic entanglement and ingestion.
The problem of plastic entanglement extends beyond the immediate physical harm it causes to marine animals. It also has broader ecological implications. For instance, discarded fishing nets can smother and damage coral reefs, hindering their healthy growth. Additionally, plastic entanglement can impact the reproductive capacity of affected animals, further endangering vulnerable species.
Addressing plastic entanglement requires a multifaceted approach. Organizations like NOAA Fisheries have specialized teams that work to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They develop tools and techniques to safely disentangle whales and other marine creatures, often from small inflatable rescue boats. Satellite technology is also employed to track and relocate entangled whales that require ongoing assistance.
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Microplastics entering the food chain
Plastic waste in the ocean is a significant contributor to the death and injury of marine life. Marine species are affected in a variety of ways, from entanglement and ingestion to toxic contamination. Microplastics, in particular, pose a serious threat to the health of marine ecosystems and all their inhabitants, including humans.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in length that can be ingested by marine animals and enter their bodies and tissues. They can come from a variety of sources, including the dumping of plastic waste, the use of microbeads in beauty products, synthetic textiles, car tires, paints, and electronic equipment. Due to their microscopic size, they can escape water filtration systems and end up in oceans and other water bodies.
Once ingested by marine animals, microplastics can carry toxins and chemicals, which can accumulate in the fatty tissues of these organisms through a process called bioaccumulation. This process of microplastics transferring through the food chain is known as trophic transfer. As one animal eats another, microplastics move to the next level of the food chain, eventually reaching the top. A study of mussels sourced from UK waters, for example, found that 100% of the samples contained microplastic pieces.
The accumulation of microplastics in the food chain can have adverse effects on human health, as these particles can enter the human food chain through contaminated foods. The scientific community has expressed concerns about the potential impact on human health, as the risk assessment of microplastics in food safety is still in its early stages.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a pressing issue that requires global cooperation. While new technologies can help remove larger marine debris, small plastic items and microplastics are challenging to retrieve once they have entered the ocean. Preventing plastic pollution at its source is crucial, including measures to minimise plastic leakage, reduce plastic toxicity, and increase the recyclability of plastics.
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Plastic pollution in the ocean
The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering, with disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, and bottles ending up in waterways and eventually the ocean. However, not all plastic waste in the ocean is a result of littering; a significant portion comes from improper manufacturing processes and industrial fishing. Plastic waste accounts for 80% of all marine pollution, with an estimated 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean annually.
Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and other marine species, resulting in suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, are easily consumed by wildlife and can adsorb toxins, transferring them to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. These toxins can bioaccumulate and have detrimental effects up the food chain, impacting apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is continuously increasing, and it is predicted that by 2050, the weight of ocean plastics will exceed the combined weight of all fish in the sea. This growing crisis demands urgent action, including measures to minimise plastic leakage, reduce plastic toxicity, and improve plastic recyclability.
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Marine life and plastic toxicity
Plastic is undeniably harmful to marine life. It is the most common form of marine litter, making up 80% of all marine debris, from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. It is estimated that 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, with some estimates reaching 13 million metric tons. At this rate, the weight of ocean plastics will exceed the combined weight of all the fish in the seas by 2050.
Plastic pollution in the ocean has various detrimental effects on marine life, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. Large plastic items can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can also smother and break coral reefs, disrupting their healthy growth.
Smaller plastic fragments, including microplastics, pose a significant threat to marine life as they can be mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and other marine species. This ingestion of plastic can lead to suffocation, intestinal injuries, and starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, with some species, such as the Loggerhead turtles, experiencing digestive obstructions due to plastic consumption.
Moreover, microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, and these toxins can transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. This process, known as biomagnification, results in higher concentrations of toxins in apex predators at the top of the food chain, such as great white sharks and orcas.
The presence of plastic in the ocean also facilitates the transportation of invasive species, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web. Additionally, plastic materials can contain carcinogenic substances and affect the endocrine system, causing developmental, neurological, reproductive, and immune disorders in marine life.
The magnitude of the plastic pollution crisis in the ocean demands worldwide cooperation to address it effectively. Reducing plastic pollution will not only save marine species and ecosystems but will also improve overall environmental health and contribute to mitigating climate change.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine life can be affected by plastic in a variety of ways, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. Plastic can also transport invasive species, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web.
Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that can be ingested by marine animals and end up in their bodies and tissues, entering the food chain. They are often microscopic and invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume.
Plastic debris in the ocean accumulates pollutants and transfers them through ocean currents. Marine life that ingests plastics coated with pollutants can absorb these toxins into their bodies. Microplastics have been found to adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the water around them.
Plastic ingestion can cause intestinal injury and death, as well as reduce the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. It can also obstruct the digestive system and cause internal punctures and tears.
Reducing the presence of plastic in the oceans is crucial. This includes preventing plastic littering, minimising plastic leakage into the environment, and reducing the consumption of disposable packaging and products. Public education and policies that address unsustainable plastic use are also important.
