Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year, with plastic found in almost every species of whale and all seven species of sea turtles. Marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, are the most common type of marine animal found entangled in plastics, fishing nets, and other types of debris. Seabirds are also highly affected by plastic pollution, with 60% of all seabird species having eaten pieces of plastic, and this number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Other marine animals affected by plastic include molluscs, great white sharks, orcas, humpback dolphins, and corals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine animals affected by plastic ingestion | Seabirds, whales, dolphins, seahorses, Fish, Sea turtles, Seals, Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, humpback dolphins, molluscs, mussels, oysters, great white sharks, orcas, crabs, finches, blue whales, gray whales, harbor seals, albatross |
| Marine animals affected by plastic entanglement | Seals, Sea lions, humpback dolphins, Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles |
| Other impacts of plastic on marine life | Turtles are unable to lay eggs properly due to plastic-ridden beaches, Crabs are attracted to plastic, Marine apex predators are threatened by the cumulative impact of microplastics and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in the food chain, Marine mammals are killed by plastic, Marine animals are affected by toxic chemicals released from plastic |
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What You'll Learn
- Sea turtles ingest plastic, which can cause choking, intestinal injury, and starvation
- Seals and sea lions are entangled by plastic, causing infection or death
- Seabirds ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which causes starvation
- Molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, are affected by microplastics when filtering seawater to feed
- Dolphins are contaminated by plastic through prey that has ingested plastic
Sea turtles ingest plastic, which can cause choking, intestinal injury, and starvation
Sea turtles are among the many marine animals affected by plastic pollution. They ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic present among their food sources. Sea turtles are also attracted to the smell of marine plastics due to the organisms that latch onto plastic debris in the ocean. As a result, it is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic.
Ingesting plastic can cause physical damage to sea turtles' intestines, leading to intestinal injury and, in some cases, starvation. Sharp plastics can rupture internal organs and cause intestinal blockages, leaving turtles unable to feed. Additionally, the presence of plastic in a turtle's stomach can trick the turtle into feeling full, causing it to neglect seeking out other food sources and ultimately starving.
The consequences of plastic ingestion by sea turtles can be severe and even life-threatening. Blockages in the intestines can lead to internal bleeding, and the ingestion of sharp plastic pieces can pierce the intestinal wall. These injuries can have fatal outcomes for sea turtles.
Beyond the immediate physical harm, there are also long-term impacts on the health and survival of sea turtle populations. Ingesting plastic can make turtles unnaturally buoyant, which can stunt their growth and lead to slow reproduction rates. This disruption in their natural development and reproductive capabilities further exacerbates the decline of sea turtle populations, with nearly all species of sea turtles currently classified as endangered.
The ingestion of plastic by sea turtles highlights the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine life. It underscores the urgent need for collective efforts to reduce, recycle, and properly dispose of plastic waste to protect vulnerable species like sea turtles and preserve the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
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Seals and sea lions are entangled by plastic, causing infection or death
Marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles are among the 260 marine species that are adversely affected by the billions of pounds of plastic waste in the ocean. This plastic waste can cause injury and death to these animals through entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contamination.
Seals and sea lions are the most common marine animals to become entangled in plastic, fishing nets, and other types of debris. They can also ingest plastic, including hooks, lures, and lines. These ingested plastics can cause internal injuries and death.
Entanglement in plastic can cause severe injury and even death to seals and sea lions. Plastic packing bands and rubber bands, for example, can become embedded in the animal, leading to severe infection. The thick layers of blubber skin on seals and sea lions absorb pollutants from the plastic in the water, which can also lead to health issues.
Responding to entangled seals and sea lions can be challenging due to logistical constraints, such as inaccessibility, the ability of the capture team to relocate the animal, and inclement weather. Intervention can also be dangerous for both the animals and the responders, so entanglement response is only attempted if the entanglement is causing or is likely to cause life-threatening injury.
The impact of plastic on seals and sea lions highlights the deadly nature of plastic pollution in the ocean and the need for urgent action to address this global crisis.
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Seabirds ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which causes starvation
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a direct threat to marine wildlife. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to ingesting plastic, mistaking it for food, which has detrimental effects on their health and survival.
Seabirds, such as albatrosses and shearwaters, are susceptible to consuming plastic debris floating on the ocean's surface, mistaking it for prey or fish eggs. This ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for their health and can lead to starvation and even death. As plastic accumulates in their stomachs, it reduces the available space for food, affecting their body weight and overall health. The sharp edges of plastic pieces can also puncture internal organs, causing fatal injuries.
The impact of plastic ingestion is evident in the decline of seabird populations and changes in their physical characteristics. Studies have shown a significant decrease in seabird numbers, with some species facing extinction. Additionally, adult seabirds that survive often exhibit shorter wings and bills and lower body mass compared to previous generations.
The health effects of plastic ingestion on seabirds go beyond physical attributes. Plastics can disrupt kidney function, leading to higher concentrations of uric acid and negatively impacting cholesterol and enzyme levels. Furthermore, plastics can leach harmful chemicals, disrupting hormone release and reproduction. These chemicals can be passed on to chicks through feeding, affecting their growth and survival.
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is expected to worsen, with projections indicating that plastic production will increase in the coming years. This rise in plastic waste will have a corresponding impact on seabirds, with an estimated 99% of seabird species predicted to ingest plastic by 2050. The consequences of this ingestion will continue to be devastating for seabird populations, further emphasizing the urgent need to address plastic pollution at its source.
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Molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, are affected by microplastics when filtering seawater to feed
Molluscs, such as mussels and oysters, are highly vulnerable to microplastics when filtering seawater to feed. This is due to their filter-feeding behaviour and efficient water purification capacity. As they filter seawater for food, they also inadvertently take in microplastics. These microplastics are smaller than 5mm and invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for molluscs to consume.
The most common polymer plastics found in molluscs are polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene. These plastics are also the most widely used, accounting for about 90% of global plastic products. The particle size of microplastics directly affects their migration in water and their likelihood of being absorbed by organisms. Smaller microplastics are more easily absorbed by molluscs, and the smaller the microplastic, the greater the damage it causes.
A study of mussels sourced from UK waters found that 100% of samples contained microplastic pieces. The highest number of microplastics found in mussels was in Halifax Harbour in Canada, with 34-75 particles per animal. Microplastics can cause tissue damage, malformations of the nervous system, changes in growth and development, physiological behaviour alteration, and adverse effects on the reproduction and heredity of molluscs.
The issue of plastic in the oceans is a global crisis. Billions of pounds of plastic are found in swirling convergences that make up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife, with thousands of marine animals killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. As plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, it becomes increasingly difficult to retrieve from the ocean. The long-term impacts of microplastics are yet to be fully understood, but their ability to absorb toxins and transfer them to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them is a significant concern.
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Dolphins are contaminated by plastic through prey that has ingested plastic
Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals that are beloved by many people around the world. Unfortunately, these graceful creatures are also vulnerable to the devastating effects of plastic pollution in our oceans. Dolphins are contaminated by plastic through prey that has ingested plastic, leading to severe health issues and even death.
Dolphins, along with whales, belong to a group of marine mammals called cetaceans. Cetaceans have a variety of feeding methods, ranging from filtering large amounts of seawater to hunting for prey. With the high levels of plastic pollution in our oceans, it is inevitable that dolphins will come into contact with and ingest plastic.
The ingestion of plastic by dolphins can occur through two main mechanisms. Firstly, when dolphins hunt for prey such as fish or squid, they may accidentally capture plastic debris along with their prey. This is especially true for deep-diving dolphin species that use suction feeding, as they can inadvertently suck in plastic particles along with their intended meal. Secondly, dolphins may be attracted to plastic due to its acoustic properties. Research has shown that degraded pieces of plastic in the ocean can emit acoustic signals similar to those of their prey. As dolphins hunt using their acute sense of hearing, they may mistakenly consume plastic debris, thinking it is their prey.
The presence of plastic in the airways and digestive systems of dolphins has been confirmed by multiple studies. Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic smaller than 5mm, have been detected in the blow (exhalations) of bottlenose dolphins in Florida and Louisiana. Urine samples from Sarasota Bay dolphins have also revealed prevalent phthalate exposure, with about 75% of samples containing these plastic compounds. Furthermore, stranded dolphins have been found with high levels of plastic wastes in their alimentary canals, including rope, netting, plastic sheeting, bags, and bottles.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for dolphins. Once plastic enters their bodies, it accumulates and creates a false sense of fullness, leading to starvation as they no longer feel the need to hunt or feed. Additionally, the plastic and its associated toxins can cause intestinal injuries and transfer up the food chain, affecting not only the dolphins but also other marine species and potentially human seafood eaters. While the full extent of plastic ingestion on dolphin health is not yet fully understood, it is clear that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to these beloved marine mammals.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine mammals such as seals and sea lions are the most common type of marine animals found entangled in plastic. Turtles are also affected by plastic, as they mistake floating plastic garbage for food and can choke or starve. In addition, plastic on beaches is affecting their reproduction rates.
Plastic can affect marine mammals in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Marine mammals can mistake plastic for prey, leading to intestinal injury and death. They can also get entangled in plastic-based fishing gear, which can cause severe infections or even death.
Plastic has been found in the digestive systems of many seabirds, leading to starvation. It has also been observed in molluscs such as mussels and oysters, as well as apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas. Crabs have also been found to be attracted to plastic.
