Chloe Zhang
Plastic pollution in our oceans is a pressing global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, threatening marine life and ecosystems. From plastic straws to abandoned fishing nets, plastic waste kills marine animals through ingestion and entanglement. As plastic slowly decomposes, it breaks into microplastics, which are consumed by marine life and enter our food chain, potentially impacting human health. With plastic production increasing, urgent action is needed to address this crisis, including reducing plastic usage, improving waste management, and supporting global cleanup efforts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in the ocean | 15–51 trillion pieces |
| Origin of ocean plastic | 80% of plastic in the ocean originates on land |
| Impact on marine life | Marine life gets caught and dies in plastic debris; animals mistake plastic for food and ingest it |
| Plastic debris | Abandoned fishing nets, plastic bags, straws, plastic bottles, plastic caps, six-pack rings, plastic waste, etc. |
| Microplastics | Tiny pieces of plastic that have broken down from larger plastic items; found in seafood, tap water, salt, and sand on beaches and in the ocean |
| Impact of microplastics | Microplastics absorb harmful pollutants and release them in the ocean; they have been found to block the digestive tracts of marine organisms, causing death |
| Plastic production | Expected to double over the next ten years |
| Plastic waste management | Inefficient or non-existent garbage collection systems in developing Asian and African nations; low recycling rates in developed countries |
| Global efforts | 175 countries adopted a resolution to end plastic pollution through an international legally binding instrument |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis
Plastic in the ocean comes from a variety of sources, but the main source is land-based. Plastic waste that is not disposed of properly can be blown away from landfills or swept into waterbodies by rain and wind. Rivers then carry this plastic from land to sea. Once in the ocean, plastic can remain in coastal waters or be caught up in ocean currents, spreading around the globe.
One of the most significant concerns regarding plastic pollution in the ocean is the impact on marine life. Marine animals, such as seabirds, turtles, seals, and whales, often mistake plastic for food and ingest it. Plastic ingestion can cause life-threatening problems, including reduced fitness, nutrient uptake, and feeding efficiency. It can also lead to starvation as it reduces the storage volume of the stomach. Additionally, marine animals can get entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets and six-pack rings, leading to injury and mortality.
Another issue with plastic in the ocean is the breakdown of larger plastic objects into tiny pieces called microplastics. These microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms, including fish, shrimp, and mussels, which are then consumed by humans. Microplastics have been found to absorb harmful pollutants and release them into the ocean, potentially impacting the food chain and human health.
Addressing plastic pollution in the ocean requires a global effort. Local and international organizations are working to clean up plastic pollution and improve waste management systems, particularly in middle-income and developing nations. Efforts are also being made to reduce plastic production and use, as well as hold plastic producers accountable for the harmful waste they generate. The United Nations and individual countries are working towards creating legally binding instruments to address plastic pollution throughout its entire lifecycle.
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Plastic waste enters the ocean from land
Plastic waste entering the ocean from land is a significant contributor to the global crisis of plastic pollution in our seas. The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with 80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land.
There are several ways in which plastic waste enters the ocean from land. One way is through the improper disposal of plastic waste. This includes littering and the incorrect disposal of plastic products, such as throwing plastic in the bin when it could be recycled. Plastic is lightweight and can easily be blown away and end up in the ocean. Once in the ocean, plastic does not fully biodegrade or decompose. It breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which can be harmful to marine life and enter the marine food chain.
Another way plastic enters the ocean from land is through storm drains and streams, which can carry plastic waste directly into the ocean or nearby water bodies. Rain and wind can also sweep plastic debris into water bodies, contributing to the plastic pollution in our oceans.
The plastic waste that enters the ocean from land comes from a variety of sources, including everyday items such as food wrappers, beverage bottles, straws, cups, plates, grocery bags, and single-use bags. These items are often designed as single-use plastic products, which are quickly used and discarded. If not properly disposed of or managed, they can end up in the ocean, contributing to the growing crisis of plastic pollution.
The problem of plastic waste entering the ocean from land is not limited to coastal areas. Even those living hundreds of miles from the coast can contribute to ocean plastic pollution through the improper disposal of plastic waste. The lack of proper waste management infrastructure in many countries is a significant factor in the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean from land. Without improvements in waste management practices, the amount of plastic entering our oceans is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
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Plastic harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement
Plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global crisis, with a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Plastic in the ocean harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement.
Plastic is durable and does not decompose. Once in the ocean, plastic slowly breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and harm sea life. Marine species can easily mistake microplastics for food. Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making it easy for marine wildlife to consume them. They can absorb harmful toxins, which can then transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. The long-term impacts of microplastics on marine life are still unknown. However, a recent study found that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of death. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of over 100,000 marine mammals annually.
Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, ingest plastic, leading to starvation and death. For example, plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of seabirds' stomachs, causing starvation. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and this number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Dead seabirds are often found with stomachs full of plastic.
Large items of plastic, such as discarded fishing nets, can entangle marine mammals and fish, preventing them from escaping and leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. Plastic entanglement can cause injury and mortality in endangered species such as the Steller sea lion. Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that ingest and get entangled in plastic litter. Sea turtles are also at risk of entanglement from six-pack rings, which can get caught around their shells and necks.
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Microplastics are formed from larger pieces of plastic
Plastic accumulating in our oceans is a global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic can be found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. At current rates, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Plastic in the ocean comes from our everyday use, and it can be hard to connect the plastic we use to the pollution in the ocean.
Once plastic enters the ocean, it decomposes very slowly, breaking into tiny pieces called microplastics. Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long, which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life. They are formed from the breakdown of larger plastics; this typically happens when larger plastics undergo weathering, through exposure to, for example, wave action, wind abrasion, and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. This process of larger plastic material breaking down into much smaller pieces is known as fragmentation.
Photodegradable plastics, for example, break down from their first state but never completely degrade, instead dividing into microplastics. Similarly, microplastics are likely to further degrade into smaller nanoplastics through chemical weathering processes, mechanical breakdown, and even through the digestive processes of animals.
Microplastics can also come from resin pellets used for plastic manufacturing or in the form of microbeads, which are small manufactured plastic beads used in health and beauty products. Microbeads have been banned in the US since 2015, but microplastics are still a huge problem.
Microplastics have been found in the digestive tracts and tissues of various sea animals, including fish, birds, and crustaceans such as crabs. They can affect the soil ecosystem and stunt the growth of terrestrial plants due to the increased uptake of toxic metals. Microplastics have also been detected in human tissues and organs, with potential implications for human health.
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Plastic pollution can be reduced, reused, and recycled
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious danger to marine life. Animals can get entangled in plastic trash or mistake it for food, ingesting toxic microplastics that can enter their food chain. With plastic taking hundreds of years to decompose, it is crucial to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic to minimise its harmful impact on our oceans and the environment.
Reducing plastic consumption is a key step in combating plastic pollution. This involves a conscious effort to minimise the use of single-use plastic items and opting for reusable alternatives. For example, instead of using disposable plastic bags or containers, individuals can invest in reusable ones made from materials like silicone, glass, or stainless steel.
Reusing plastic items is another important strategy. Plastic bottles can be transformed into planters, plastic bags can be reused as trash liners, and creative DIY projects can utilise plastic bottles, straws, and other items to make crafts, bird feeders, or jewellery. Reusing items reduces waste, conserves resources, saves money, and lowers pollution levels by decreasing the need for new production.
Recycling plastic is also essential to reducing pollution. While some types of plastic still end up in landfills or are incinerated, many plastic items can be recycled into new products. Plastic bottles, for instance, are typically made from PET and HDPE, which are widely recycled by local authorities. Individuals can check with their local recycling centres to ensure they are recycling as many plastics as possible. Additionally, some supermarkets now collect a wider range of plastic bags, wrappings, and soft plastics for recycling.
Proper waste management is critical to reducing plastic pollution. This includes recycling, reusing, and composting, as well as supporting businesses that use recycled materials and reduce plastic packaging. Initiatives focused on reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives also play a vital role in tackling plastic pollution and protecting our oceans and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic in the sea has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. It has been found in more than 60% of all seabirds and in 100% of sea turtle species, which mistake plastic for food. Marine mammals also get tangled up in plastic, and large amounts of plastic debris have been found in the habitats of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals. It is estimated that by 2050, plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea.
Plastic enters the sea through rivers, which carry plastic from land to sea. The closer the plastic is to a river, and the closer that river is to the ocean, the greater the chances that the plastic will reach the ocean. Rain and wind can also sweep plastic into water bodies. Once in the ocean, plastic slowly decomposes, breaking into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain.
Local and global organisations, companies, and initiatives are working to clean up plastic in the sea. The United Nations has also negotiated a global treaty on plastic pollution, and the Environmental Protection Agency has been petitioned to begin regulating plastics as a pollutant. Individuals can help by reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic, as well as disposing of waste properly.
