Chloe Zhang
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to a variety of animal species. Marine animals, in particular, are at risk of ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it, leading to injury and death. Sea turtles, whales, seals, dolphins, seabirds, fish, crabs, and many other sea animals are among those affected by plastic pollution. The impact of plastic pollution on these species has raised concerns, with efforts needed to address this global problem and protect endangered wildlife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of animals impacted | At least 267 species, with some estimates suggesting at least 100 million marine mammals are killed each year |
| Types of animals impacted | Marine animals including sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, fish, crabs, sharks, cows, seagulls, dogs, camels, flesh-footed shearwaters, albatross, anchovies, ocean sunfish, jellyfish, egg-eating fish, and filter feeders |
| Impact on animals | Ingesting plastic, entanglement, strangulation, suffocation, starvation, obstruction in the digestive tract, infection, stunted growth, decline in kidney function, increased chance of disease, impact on reproduction |
| Plastic types causing harm | Microplastics, plastic bags, plastic packaging, plastic debris, plastic bands, rubber bands, plastic rings, plastic nets, plastic bottles, plastic caps, plastic microbeads, plastic fibres, plastic balloons |
| Solutions | Refuse single-use plastic, use reusable alternatives, recycle, join organisations like the Plastic Pollution Coalition or Global Ghost Gear Initiative |
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What You'll Learn
- Marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and seals, are impacted by plastic
- Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals are threatened by plastic
- Seabirds, including albatross, are deeply impacted by plastic
- Sea turtles are endangered by plastic, mistaking it for food
- Plastic pollution affects marine bacteria, interfering with oxygen production
Marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and seals, are impacted by plastic
Marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and seals, are impacted by plastic in the ocean. Plastic waste pollutes every corner of the ocean, threatening marine wildlife and ending up in the seafood we eat. More than 240 wildlife species, including whales, are known to have ingested plastic, which can result in internal injuries and death.
Whales are particularly susceptible to plastic pollution due to their large mouths and feeding habits. The sperm whale, for example, feeds on small organisms like plankton or squid, and can easily ingest large amounts of plastic, leading to fatal obstructions. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, have also been found in whales and their prey. These microplastics can break down into invisible toxic chemical compounds, which can disrupt the development and reproductive health of whales.
Dolphins and porpoises are also at risk from plastic pollution. They are unable to detoxify organic pollutants, which can impact their immune system and leave them vulnerable to diseases. The toxins can also disrupt their endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems. Plastic ingestion can cause fatal tears and blockages, lead to illnesses, or create a false feeling of fullness that results in starvation.
Seals are another marine mammal affected by plastic pollution. After ingesting microplastics, seals may suffer for months or years before dying. The toxic chemicals in plastic increase the chance of disease and affect reproduction. Microplastics are a major part of the issue, as they are small enough for seals to accidentally eat.
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Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals are threatened by plastic
Plastic pollution is a major threat to many endangered species, including the Hawaiian monk seal. The Hawaiian monk seal, or Neomonachus schauinslandi, is a non-migratory, warm-water seal species that has inhabited the Hawaiian Islands for 3.5 million years. They are one of the oldest pinniped species in the world and are currently one of the most endangered seal species globally, with only about 1,000 individuals remaining. The population has been declining for six decades, and their survival is threatened by various factors, including plastic pollution.
Hawaiian monk seals are endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago and are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Hawaii state law. They are considered the rarest seal species in US waters and were designated as the official state animal of Hawaii in 2008 to raise awareness of their vulnerability. The main threats to Hawaiian monk seals include food limitation, shark predation, entanglement, male aggression, habitat loss, disease, and human impacts such as fishery interactions and intentional killing.
Plastic pollution is a significant concern for Hawaiian monk seals. They often become entangled in fishing nets and other marine debris, which can cause fatal damage by wrapping around their necks, snouts, or flippers. In addition, Hawaiian beaches that serve as nursing grounds for monk seal pups are often filled with plastic debris, leading to the ingestion of harmful plastics. A 2013 account from photographer Daniel Fox described Kamilo Beach, a monk seal nursing ground, as a "plastic soup" due to the large number of bottle caps and other plastic debris in the sand. This plastic pollution not only affects the health of the seals but also hinders their breeding efforts.
The issue of plastic ingestion is not unique to Hawaiian monk seals but impacts a wide range of marine life, including sea turtles, whales, dolphins, crabs, and seabirds. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to blockages in their digestive systems. Similarly, whales, with their large mouths, unintentionally ingest extreme amounts of plastic, which can be fatal. Studies have also shown that microplastics can enter the bodies of crabs and other marine creatures through their gills, increasing the likelihood of these plastics moving up the food chain to humans.
The impact of plastic pollution on endangered species is devastating and far-reaching. It not only affects individual animals but also disrupts entire ecosystems and food chains. It is essential to address this issue through recycling, reducing single-use plastic, and supporting conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species like the Hawaiian monk seal.
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Seabirds, including albatross, are deeply impacted by plastic
Seabirds, including albatross, are among the most vulnerable to plastic pollution. They are widely observed to ingest floating plastic, mistaking it for prey. This is due to their hunting techniques; when albatrosses dive into the ocean to catch fish, squid, or other food, they use their beaks to skim the surface, inadvertently picking up plastic along the way. A recent study found that 98% of Laysan albatross chicks had plastic in their stomachs, with adults feeding their chicks plastic pieces, mistaking them for prey. The chicks are unable to regurgitate the plastic and many die as a result.
The Laysan albatross is not the only species of seabird impacted by plastic pollution. Flesh-footed shearwaters, a near-threatened species of seabird, have also been observed with plastic in their guts. A study by researchers from the Lord Howe Island Museum and the Natural History Museum of London found that 90% of the island's Flesh-footed Shearwaters had plastic in their guts. The high occurrence of plastic ingestion in this species is attributed to the smell of marine plastics, which, once coated in plankton and algae, lures in birds with a strong sense of smell.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for seabirds, including albatrosses. It can cause physical gut blockage, organ damage from leaching toxins, and even a new disease called "plasticosis," characterised by stomach damage related to ingesting trash. Plasticosis affects the growth, nutrition, and overall health of birds, with studies showing a decrease in the average Lord Howe Island Flesh-footed Shearwater's wingspan, bill length, and body size over just 13 years.
In addition to ingestion, plastic entanglement also poses a significant threat to seabirds. While this is less commonly reported for albatrosses, other seabird species, such as the Cory shearwater, are at risk of becoming entangled in plastic debris. This can lead to injury or death, further contributing to the decline of seabird populations.
The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds, including albatrosses, is widespread and devastating. It affects their survival, growth, and overall health, with plastic debris found even in remote locations. Addressing this issue requires a global effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic, as well as continued research to understand the full extent of its impact on vulnerable species like seabirds.
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Sea turtles are endangered by plastic, mistaking it for food
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles worldwide. Sea turtles have been around for over 100 million years, but plastic has only been mass-produced since the 1940s. In just a few decades, plastic has become a devastating threat to sea turtles, with research suggesting that 52% of the world's turtles have eaten plastic waste.
Sea turtles often mistake plastic for food. Plastic bags floating in the ocean can look deceptively similar to jellyfish, algae, or other species that make up a large component of sea turtles' diets. All seven species of sea turtles are at risk of ingesting plastic, including the carnivorous Loggerhead and the mainly plant-eating Green Turtle. A study from the University of Tokyo found that Loggerheads ate plastic 17% of the time they encountered it, likely mistaking it for jellyfish.
The impact of plastic ingestion on sea turtles can be deadly. Plastic can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in sickness or even death. A 2017 University of Exeter study showed that hundreds of sea turtles die every year after becoming entangled in plastic, such as lost or discarded fishing nets or six-pack beer holders.
Sea turtles are also attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. This further increases the risk of ingestion. In addition to the immediate health risks, plastic ingestion can also stunt the growth and decline in kidney function of sea turtles, as seen in a study of flesh-footed shearwater birds.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is not limited to ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles come into contact with plastic debris at various stages of their life cycle, from crawling through plastic on their way to the ocean as hatchlings to swimming through it during migration and nesting as adults. Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, and it is crucial to address this issue through conservation efforts and responsible waste management to protect these ancient and majestic creatures.
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Plastic pollution affects marine bacteria, interfering with oxygen production
Marine life is facing a grave threat from plastic pollution, with at least 700 species affected, and an estimated 100 million marine mammals killed annually. Sea turtles, whales, birds, fish, and even bacteria are all impacted by plastic in the oceans.
The study exposed two strains of Prochlorococcus, found at different ocean depths, to chemicals leached from common plastic products—high-density polyethylene bags and PVC matting. The results showed that exposure to these chemicals impaired the growth and function of the bacteria, including the amount of oxygen they produce, and altered the expression of many of their genes.
Plastic leachates have been found to impair the growth and oxygen production of Prochlorococcus, with potential consequences for the marine food web and carbon cycling. This pollution can leach a variety of chemical additives into marine environments, and the threat posed by these leachates to marine life has received relatively little attention.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine bacteria is an important area of study, as it highlights the far-reaching consequences of plastic waste in the oceans, affecting even microscopic life forms that are integral to the health of marine ecosystems and, ultimately, life on Earth.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, there are currently 41,415 endangered species threatened with extinction, and plastic pollution is a significant contributor to this. Marine animals such as whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, crabs, and seabirds are among those affected by plastic pollution.
Whales often accidentally ingest large pieces of plastic while hunting, clogging their digestive systems. The vulnerable sperm whale is the species most commonly found killed by plastic debris.
Dolphins, like whales, can accidentally ingest plastic, leading to blockages in their digestive systems. In addition, plastic pollution can release chemicals that smell like food, attracting dolphins and other marine animals.
Turtles often mistake plastic waste for food, such as jellyfish or jelly medusae, causing blockages in their digestive systems. They can also become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets or six-pack rings, leading to injury or death.
