Ethan Clarke
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released into the sea or ocean. Plastic marine debris is a widespread problem, with plastic items being the most common type of marine debris in our oceans, waterways, and Great Lakes. Plastic is used to create everyday items such as toys, food storage, and medical supplies, and larger items such as fishing gear or large sheets of plastic used in agriculture. Plastic marine debris is particularly harmful because plastic is designed to be durable and does not degrade or break down like other materials. Instead, it fragments into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are extremely difficult to remove and can be ingested by marine animals, causing the death of an estimated 100,000 marine mammals every year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean |
| Sources | Inland states, coastal regions, open dumps, landfills, ordinary litter, dumping, container spillages, litter washed into storm drains, wind-blown landfill waste, ocean-based sources like overboard discharges from ships and discarded fishing gear |
| Composition | Plastic bags, bottles, items related to takeout meals, balloons, buoys, rope, medical waste, glass and plastic bottles, cigarette stubs, lighters, beverage cans, polystyrene, lost fishing line and nets, wastes from cruise ships and oil rigs |
| Impact | Marine animals, birds, reptiles, mammals, boats, coasts, humans, the food chain |
| Prevention | Improved waste transportation, use of refuse-derived fuels, public education, improved waste management, plastic reduction strategies, enhanced international cooperation |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic marine debris is increasing
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, refers to human-created solid material that has been deliberately or accidentally released into seas or oceans. Plastic marine debris is increasing and poses a serious threat to marine life and the environment.
Plastic is a durable material designed to last a long time, which is useful for many important purposes, such as medical devices. However, this durability is also a key reason why plastic is so damaging as marine debris. Plastic does not biodegrade or break down like natural materials. Instead, when exposed to the elements, it can fragment into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are extremely difficult to remove and may persist indefinitely.
Plastic is ubiquitous in our daily lives, and plastic items are common sources of marine debris, including toys, food storage, medical supplies, and larger items like fishing gear and agricultural plastic sheets. Plastic enters the marine environment through various pathways, such as improper trash collection, littering, and stormwater runoff. Once in the ocean, plastic waste can accumulate in gyres and on coastlines, causing issues like beach litter.
The quantity of plastic marine debris is increasing worldwide. For example, researchers observed a five-fold increase in plastic debris in the Central Pacific Gyre between 1997 and 2007, and off Japan's coast, the amount of plastic particles increased tenfold in the 1970s and 1980s, then again every 2-3 years subsequently. This increasing plastic pollution has severe consequences for marine life, impacting at least 267 species globally, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals.
The impact of plastic marine debris on marine ecosystems is significant, with entanglement and ingestion being common issues. Additionally, plastic can absorb pollutants, which are then ingested by marine life, contaminating the human food chain. The persistence of plastic in the marine environment also has economic implications, reducing the value of ecosystem services provided by marine ecosystems.
Addressing plastic marine debris requires a global response, and efforts to tackle this issue are gaining momentum. International cooperation is vital, and the UN has included reducing marine pollution in its Sustainable Development Goal 14, "Life Below Water." While cleanup efforts are important, prevention is key, and reducing the consumption of disposable packaging and products is essential for mitigating plastic marine debris.
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It comes from inland and ocean sources
Marine debris is a widespread problem that is not solely the result of activities in coastal regions. It comes from inland and ocean sources. Plastic debris from inland states come from two main sources: ordinary litter and materials from open dumps and landfills that blow or wash away to inland waterways and wastewater outflows. The refuse finds its way from inland waterways, rivers, streams, and lakes to the ocean.
The durability of plastic is one of the reasons it is so damaging as marine debris. Plastic is designed to last a long time, which is useful for applications such as medical devices, but it does not degrade or break down like other materials. Instead, exposure to the sun, saltwater, and wave movement causes it to fragment into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are extremely difficult to remove and may never disappear.
In 2016, an estimated 1.45 million metric tons of plastic debris entered the coastal environment from the United States alone. A global study from the same year estimated that 23 million metric tons of plastic waste entered the world's oceans and waterways. The ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, so it receives much of the plastic waste generated on land. Several million tons of debris end up in the oceans annually, and much of it is improperly discarded plastic litter.
The largest single type of plastic pollution (around 10%) and the majority of large plastics in the oceans are discarded and lost nets from the fishing industry. Other sources of marine plastic pollution include food containers and packaging, plastic bags, balloons, buoys, rope, medical waste, glass and plastic bottles, cigarette stubs, lighters, beverage cans, polystyrene, lost fishing lines, and various wastes from cruise ships and oil rigs.
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Plastic doesn't biodegrade quickly
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released into the sea or ocean. Plastic items are the most common type of marine debris, and plastic pollution is a widespread problem.
Plastic is durable and designed to last a long time, which is useful for many applications, such as medical devices. However, this durability is also one of the reasons why plastic is so damaging as marine debris. Unlike natural or organic materials, plastic does not biodegrade quickly.
When something biodegradable, like a cardboard box, breaks down, microorganisms present in nature digest the polymers in it with the help of enzymes. These enzymes are proteins that speed up the breakdown of compounds such as lignin, a natural polymer found in plant tissues. If oxygen is present, the polymers will biodegrade completely, eventually leaving only carbon dioxide, water, and other biological material.
However, plastic is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel derived from the natural decay of living organisms over millions of years. To make plastic, refiners heat petroleum with a catalyst, causing its individual molecules of propylene to form extremely strong carbon-carbon bonds with each other. This results in polymers—long chains of monomers—that nature has never encountered before. These chemical bonds are tougher and weirder than anything natural, which is why plastic is so useful to humans but so detrimental to the environment.
As plastic is exposed to the sun, saltwater, and wave movement, it fragments into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics. These tiny plastic pieces are extremely difficult to remove and may never fully disappear.
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It harms marine life and ecosystems
Plastic marine debris is a significant threat to our oceans and the vast array of life within them. It encompasses a range of plastic items, from discarded fishing gear and microplastics to larger items like bottles and bags. This debris enters the ocean from a variety of sources, including land-based pollution, marine dumping, and accidental spills, and has severe ecological, economic, and biological implications. The impact of this plastic pollution is far-reaching and affects not just marine life but also the health of our ecosystems and, ultimately, human wellbeing.
Plastic marine debris poses a severe threat to marine life, from the tiniest plankton to the largest whales. Animals can become entangled in plastic debris, restricting their movement, causing injury, and often leading to death. For example, dolphins and sea turtles can become trapped in discarded fishing nets, struggling to reach the surface to breathe, resulting in suffocation or drowning. Even the smallest creatures are not safe; plankton and other microscopic organisms can ingest microplastics, which can block their digestive systems and cause starvation.
The ingestion of plastic is another critical issue. Marine animals often mistake plastic items for food, leading to intestinal blockages and internal injuries. This ingestion can also result in the transfer of toxic chemicals, which have harmful biological effects, into the food chain. These toxins accumulate in the tissues of animals, leading to a range of health issues, including reproductive problems and impaired development in younger animals. Over time, these toxins can reach dangerous levels as they move up the food chain, affecting top predators and, eventually, humans who consume seafood.
Beyond the direct impact on individual animals, plastic marine debris also disrupts entire ecosystems. It can smother and damage marine habitats, such as coral reefs and seafloor ecosystems. For instance, plastic bags can cover coral, blocking the light and oxygen necessary for their growth, and the toxins released from degrading plastics can contaminate the water, affecting the health of reef-dwelling organisms. These disruptions can have far-reaching consequences, altering the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and leading to a loss of biodiversity.
The economic implications of plastic marine debris are also significant. Marine life and ecosystems are vital for industries such as tourism and fisheries. When plastic pollution damages these resources, it affects the livelihoods of those who depend on healthy oceans. Additionally, the presence of plastic debris can increase the cost of seafood production as fishermen deal with entangled gear and contaminated catches. The clean-up of plastic pollution is also costly, with governments and organizations incurring substantial expenses to remove and manage this waste.
Finally, the impact of plastic marine debris extends beyond the ocean itself. As plastics break down into smaller and smaller pieces, these microplastics can be carried by currents across vast distances, ending up on distant shores or in the most remote reaches of the planet. This spread of plastic pollution means that no ecosystem is truly safe, and the problem becomes a global one. The far-reaching nature of this issue emphasizes the need for international cooperation and a unified effort to address and reduce plastic marine debris.
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Global action is needed to address it
Plastic marine debris is a widespread problem that poses a serious threat to marine life and ecosystems. It refers to human-created solid plastic material that has been deliberately or accidentally released into the ocean. As plastic is designed to be durable and long-lasting, it does not degrade or break down like other materials. Instead, it fragments into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which are extremely difficult to remove. The presence of plastic in the ocean is a result of various human activities, including littering, dumping, container spillages, and inadequate waste management systems.
Given the magnitude of the issue, global action is imperative to address plastic marine debris effectively. Firstly, it is crucial to recognize that plastic pollution is a transboundary issue, impacting not only marine ecosystems but also land and freshwater ecosystems. This understanding underscores the need for a coordinated global response. A global plastics treaty is essential to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful subsidies, eliminate harmful products and chemicals, and strengthen national plans and compliance mechanisms. The recently enacted global plastics treaty, signed by 175 UN member states, is a positive step towards establishing international rules and regulations to curb plastic pollution.
In addition to international agreements, individual countries have also implemented initiatives to tackle plastic pollution. For instance, the United States introduced the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, a comprehensive federal bill addressing the plastic pollution crisis. Several countries have also banned certain forms of single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and bottles. These country-specific efforts demonstrate a commitment to reducing plastic waste and encouraging sustainable alternatives.
While legislative actions are vital, they must be complemented by public education and awareness campaigns. Educating communities about the negative impacts of plastic pollution and promoting responsible waste management practices can help prevent littering and improper disposal of plastics. Additionally, improving waste transportation systems, utilizing closed container storage, and promoting the use of refuse-derived fuels can reduce the amount of plastic debris entering our waterways and oceans.
To further address plastic marine debris, collaboration between governments, non-profit organizations, NGOs, and private businesses is essential. These collective efforts can lead to the development and implementation of innovative programs aimed at collecting and removing plastics from the ocean. By working together and sharing resources, knowledge, and technologies, these diverse groups can make a significant impact in mitigating plastic marine debris on a global scale.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic marine debris is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released into the sea or ocean. Plastic marine debris can include larger items, such as lost or discarded fishing gear or large sheets of plastic used in agriculture.
Plastic can enter the marine environment in a variety of ways, including limited resources for disposing of trash, improper trash collection, littering, or through stormwater runoff. Dumping, container spillages, litter washed into storm drains, and wind-blown landfill waste all contribute to the problem.
Plastic marine debris has been shown to have detrimental effects on marine life, the food chain, human health, and the delicate balance of our planet's aquatic environments. Marine animals are killed by plastic pollution, with estimates suggesting that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. Plastic debris can also transport invasive marine species and pollutants through ocean currents.
It is difficult to know the exact amount of plastic in the ocean. However, a study by Borrelle et al. estimated that in 2016, approximately 23 million metric tons of plastic waste entered the ocean and waterways worldwide. Another study from 2014 estimated that at least 5.25 trillion individual plastic particles weighing roughly 244,000 metric tons were floating on or near the ocean's surface.
Addressing plastic pollution and marine litter is a pressing global issue that requires concerted efforts from individuals, communities, and governments worldwide. The UN Environment Assembly has passed five resolutions related to the issue and formed the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) in 2012 to bring together various actors working on plastic pollution reduction. Additionally, some countries have introduced specific protection policies, and non-profits, NGOs, and government organizations are developing programs to collect and remove plastics from the ocean.
