Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that affects all ecosystems, including marine life. Marine ecosystems are finely balanced, and the presence of plastic can have a detrimental impact on the species that inhabit them. Plastic pollution in the ocean has increased rapidly over the past 40 years, and it is estimated that plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Marine animals face a variety of threats from plastic, including entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contamination. The durability of plastic means that once it enters the ocean, it will remain there for long periods, causing persistent harm to marine life.
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic ingestion causes suffocation, internal injuries, intestinal injuries, and starvation
- Plastic entanglement leads to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators
- Plastic is often mistaken for food by marine animals, including seabirds, seals, and turtles
- Plastic pollution upsets the balance of marine ecosystems, allowing some species to thrive while others suffer
- Microplastics adsorb toxins, which are transferred to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them
Plastic ingestion causes suffocation, internal injuries, intestinal injuries, and starvation
Marine animals ingest plastic when they mistake it for food. This happens because small plastic fragments sit on the water's surface and are consumed by marine species. Marine megafauna are also vulnerable to plastic ingestion. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mostly plastic bags. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple diet.
Seabirds, in particular, are vulnerable to plastic ingestion and the resulting suffocation. Some seabirds can regurgitate plastic, but others, like petrels, find this difficult. Northern fulmars, for example, ingest plastic pellets, and the species is now monitored as an indicator of pellet pollution in the North Sea.
Fish are also affected by plastic ingestion, with over two-thirds of 500 fish species studied having consumed plastic. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters also ingest microplastics when filtering seawater to feed. Microplastics are particularly harmful as they can adsorb toxins, which then transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being studied, but they are known to accumulate in the food chain, leading to high concentrations of toxins in top predators, including humans who consume seafood.
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Plastic entanglement leads to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators
Marine animals such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles frequently become entangled in plastic debris and fishing gear as they swim or while on beaches. Large items of plastic, such as nets, ropes, and abandoned fishing equipment, can trap and restrict the movement of marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators.
Entanglement in plastic can cause drowning, physical trauma, and infections as the gear cuts into the flesh of the entangled animal. It also impairs their ability to escape from predators and avoid vessel strikes, further endangering their lives. The problem of plastic entanglement is widespread, with reports of endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals, Steller sea lions, and humpback dolphins falling victim to it.
Smaller plastic items, such as six-pack rings and plastic bags, can also entangle marine life and cause harm. For example, sea turtles can get trapped in plastic nets and six-pack rings, which restrict their movement and can lead to starvation as they feel full from eating plastic. Plastic bags also resemble jellyfish, the staple diet of leatherback turtles, further tricking them into ingesting plastic.
The ingestion of plastic often accompanies entanglement, causing internal injuries and reducing the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. Marine apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, are particularly vulnerable to the cumulative impact of microplastics and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics. These toxins can build up in the fatty tissues of animals, leading to health complications and affecting their offspring.
The effects of plastic entanglement are devastating, and intervention is crucial for the survival of marine life. Efforts to minimize entanglement, such as those by NOAA Fisheries and partners, focus on preventing entanglements and rescuing entangled animals. The information gathered from successful disentanglements helps guide gear modifications and management strategies to further reduce the threats posed by plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Plastic is often mistaken for food by marine animals, including seabirds, seals, and turtles
Marine animals, including seabirds, seals, and turtles, often mistake plastic for food. This is due to a variety of factors, such as the size, shape, and smell of the plastic.
Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to ingesting plastic because they feed from the surface of the ocean, where small plastic fragments can sit and be mistaken for food. This can lead to issues such as suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. In addition, some plastics give off a sulfur odor known as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which attracts certain bird species. A study found that the bird species most attracted to the DMS odor are albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, which are also the most affected by plastic consumption. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and that number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050.
Sea turtles also often mistake plastic for food, especially flimsy, clear plastic bags, which they may confuse with jellyfish. Turtles can choke, sustain internal injuries, and die from ingesting plastic, or they may starve because they feel full after eating it. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
Seals are also vulnerable to mistaking plastic for food. For example, a plastic bag filled with water can resemble a squid or other prey. Even species that do not rely on sight to find prey, such as toothed whales and some dolphin species, may be affected by plastic waste that confuses their sonar and is interpreted as food.
In addition to the immediate dangers of ingestion, plastic can also have long-term effects on marine animals. Microplastics, in particular, can absorb toxins, which can then be transferred to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being studied, but they pose a significant threat to marine life.
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Plastic pollution upsets the balance of marine ecosystems, allowing some species to thrive while others suffer
Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Marine ecosystems are finely balanced, and plastic pollution can upset this balance, allowing some species to thrive while others suffer.
Plastic in the ocean can allow some species to spread beyond their usual habitats. For example, coastal organisms can be carried by plastic into the open ocean, where they can thrive in new environments, upsetting the natural balance. This can be detrimental to marine life that naturally occurs in these areas. Plastic can also act as a vehicle for invasive species, allowing them to travel to new locations and outcompete native species.
The presence of plastic in the ocean can also have more indirect effects on the balance of marine ecosystems. Plastics can break down into microplastics, which are tiny particles that are invisible to the naked eye. These microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms, leading to toxic contamination. As these toxins accumulate in the food chain, they can reach apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, causing unknown long-term impacts.
In addition to the direct harm caused by ingestion, plastic pollution can also physically entangle marine wildlife, leading to injury, increased vulnerability to predators, and even death. Large items of plastic can entrap marine mammals and fish, preventing them from escaping and causing starvation. This can have a significant impact on the population dynamics of these species, favouring those that are more mobile or have tools to escape entanglement.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems is complex and far-reaching. While some species may benefit from the presence of plastic, the overall effect is detrimental, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. As plastic pollution continues to increase, the balance of marine ecosystems will become increasingly disrupted, with unknown consequences for the future of marine life.
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Microplastics adsorb toxins, which are transferred to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them
Marine life is under threat from the billions of pounds of plastic in the ocean. Waves and storms break down plastic into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics—pieces smaller than a grain of sand. These microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms, causing damage to their digestive systems and releasing toxic chemicals into their bodies.
Microplastics can contain two types of chemicals: additives and polymeric raw materials, and chemicals absorbed from the surrounding environment. They can carry toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals and hydrophobic organic contaminants, and act as vectors to transport these toxins through the ecosystem.
The ingestion of microplastics has been observed in a range of marine organisms, including fish, seabirds, mussels, oysters, and turtles. These organisms may mistake microplastics for food, or the plastics may attach to their internal or external surfaces. This can lead to physical damage, causing stress, inflammation, and blockage of the intestinal lining, resulting in decreased energy intake and malnutrition.
Once ingested, microplastics can pass through the gastrointestinal tract into the circulatory system and various tissues and cells. They can cause local infection and lipid accumulation in the liver, disrupt energy metabolism, and induce immune responses in the body. The toxins carried by microplastics can be transferred to the fatty tissues of organisms, causing further health issues.
The impact of microplastics on marine life is a growing area of research, and the long-term effects are yet to be fully understood. However, the presence of microplastics in marine species consumed by humans is a concern, and the potential risks to human health are being explored.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on marine life. Marine animals can get entangled in plastic, leading to injury, starvation, and suffocation. They can also ingest plastic, which can cause intestinal injury and death. Plastic can also carry toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them.
Marine animals can mistake plastic for food. For example, a plastic bag ballooned with water can look like a squid or other prey to seals and marine mammals. Seabirds and turtles also mistake indigestible plastic waste for food.
Large items of plastic can capture marine mammals and fish and stop them from escaping, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators. Abandoned fishing gear is one of the worst offenders.
Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They are often consumed by smaller organisms, which are then eaten by larger predators, transferring the plastic up the food chain.
Plastic pollution in the ocean primarily originates from land runoff but can also come from paint shed from shipping, discarded fishing gear, littering, industrial activities, tyre abrasion, construction, and agriculture.
