Sofia Martinez
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has had a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Marine animals, in particular, are at risk of ingesting plastic, mistaking it for food. This is an escalating problem, with an estimated 51 trillion microplastic particles already in the world's oceans, and this number is only expected to grow. Marine debris, such as plastic, is ingested by wildlife, impacting their health and the ecosystems they inhabit. The impact of plastic ingestion varies, from intestinal blockage to a reduction in food consumption, leading to hunger and weakness. While the long-term effects of plastic ingestion are still being studied, it is clear that animals are suffering and dying as a result of ingesting plastic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why animals eat plastic | Animals may eat plastic because they are unable to distinguish it from food. Some plastic may smell like food to certain animals. Animals that filter water to consume food, such as baleen whales, can easily eat plastic, most commonly in the form of microplastics. |
| The characteristics of plastic debris, such as colour, size, or shape, can attract certain types of wildlife. | |
| Some animals eat plastic because it is in their food source. | |
| Some animals, such as sea cucumbers, prefer to eat plastics over their regular food. | |
| Animals that eat plastic | Marine animals, including birds, marine mammals, turtles, fish, sharks, invertebrates, zooplankton, corals, and more. |
| Land animals, including grazing animals. | |
| Impact of eating plastic on animals | Animals eat less, obtain less energy, and weaken. |
| Larger pieces of plastic can block their gastrointestinal tract. | |
| Plastic fills the animal's stomach, reducing the feeling of hunger, leading to poor nutrition and starvation. | |
| Chemicals from ingested plastic may enter the animal's body. | |
| Plastic can stay in the animal's body for a long time and may even travel through the food web. | |
| Plastic can cause entanglement in animals. | |
| Plastic ingestion can lead to other negative health effects that are not yet fully understood. | |
| Plastic has been found in the placentas of unborn babies. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic in oceans and on beaches
Plastic pollution in the oceans and on beaches is a pressing global crisis. It is estimated that 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic are currently in the world's oceans, with billions of pounds of plastic entering each year. This plastic pollution is not isolated to certain areas of the ocean; instead, it is widespread, with plastic debris found from the equator to the poles, in the Arctic ice sheets, and on the ocean floor.
Plastic enters the ocean through thousands of sources worldwide, and coastal cities in middle-income countries are the primary emitters. Rivers are a significant pathway for plastic to reach the ocean, with 80% of floating plastic predicted to beach on a coastline within a month of entering the ocean. Once in the ocean, plastic accumulates in subtropical areas known as gyres, where massive circular currents trap the plastic for decades or even centuries. The most polluted gyre is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean, which is estimated to be twice the size of Texas.
The presence of plastic in the ocean and on beaches has severe consequences for marine life and ecosystems. Animals often mistake plastic for food, ingesting it or becoming entangled in it, which can lead to injury or death. Sea turtles, for example, may confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, their natural prey, and birds can mistake plastic for food, leading to reduced stomach capacity and starvation. Marine mammals, such as whales, are also highly susceptible to ingesting plastic, with some species of deep-diving toothed whales found to have stomachs full of plastic. In addition, smaller organisms, such as filter feeders (plankton, shellfish, baleen whales) and organisms that live under the beach sand (lugworms), are at risk of ingesting microplastics.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is not limited to direct ingestion or entanglement. Plastic can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, releasing them into the ocean and potentially affecting the health of marine organisms that come into contact with or ingest them. Furthermore, plastic debris coated with food waste increases the likelihood of animals mistaking it for food, leading to a vicious cycle of pollution and ingestion.
Addressing the global plastic pollution crisis requires urgent action. While only a small proportion of plastic is disposed of incorrectly, the sheer volume of plastic produced ensures that a significant amount still ends up in the ocean. Strategies to mitigate this issue include reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and participating in cleanup efforts to remove plastic from the ocean and beaches.
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Marine animals and ingestion
Marine animals are ingesting plastic at alarming rates, with plastic pollution having a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. The ingestion of plastic by marine life is a growing problem, with research indicating an increase in the number of animals consuming plastic over time. The issue is widespread, affecting a variety of marine species, including fish, seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, and other marine mammals.
Fish are among the most affected by plastic ingestion, with studies finding that plastic debris is present in the guts of a significant number of fish. Research has identified plastic ingestion in 386 marine fish species, including 210 species of commercial importance. Fish in the North Pacific ingest an estimated 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, contributing to the transfer of plastic up the food chain to larger predators.
Seabirds are also highly susceptible to plastic ingestion, with an estimated 60% of all seabird species having consumed plastic. This number is projected to increase to 99% by 2050. Seabirds, such as albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters, may struggle to pass plastic through their digestive systems, leading to reduced weight and impaired growth.
Sea turtles are another group that frequently ingest plastic, mistaking plastic sheeting and bags for their jellyfish prey. All seven species of sea turtles have been confirmed to consume plastic marine debris, which can cause intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death. Research suggests that approximately 32% of turtles have plastic in their stomachs, and half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
Marine mammals, including whales, seals, and manatees, are also vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, for example, have been found with large amounts of plastic debris in their habitats, posing entanglement risks and contributing to injury and mortality. Whales, in particular, have been found stranded on beaches with significant quantities of plastic in their digestive systems.
The ingestion of plastic by marine animals has severe consequences, including intestinal injury, blockage, reduced nutrition, internal bleeding, and even death. The presence of plastic in the oceans is a pressing issue, and understanding the impacts of plastic ingestion on marine wildlife is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.
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Land animals and ingestion
Plastic pollution has skyrocketed in the last 70 years, and it is projected to double by 2040. This has had a detrimental impact on wildlife, including land animals.
Land animals, such as elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, have been reported to accidentally consume plastic waste, resulting in unnecessary deaths. In January 2018, a 20-year-old wild elephant in Periyar, India, died from ingesting plastic waste discarded by pilgrims. The plastic blocked the elephant's intestines, causing internal bleeding and organ failure.
Grazing animals on land are also at risk of eating plastic. Plastic debris coated with food waste increases the likelihood of ingestion. Animals that swallow plastic suffer and often die as a result. The plastic fills their stomachs, reducing hunger and leading to starvation. Larger pieces of plastic can also block their gastrointestinal tract, making excretion impossible.
Furthermore, plastic pollution can contaminate the soil and groundwater, which can then be ingested by wildlife and humans. According to Greenpeace, fruits like apples and pears have a high average of plastic particles per gram, and vegetables like broccoli and carrots are not far behind. This means that humans can also inadvertently consume microplastics through their diet, which can have adverse health effects.
While the focus is often on marine animals and plastic pollution, it is clear that land animals are also severely affected by plastic ingestion, suffering fatal consequences and contributing to the decline of species and the environment as a whole.
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Birds and ingestion
Birds are particularly vulnerable to ingesting plastic, especially those that feed in the open ocean, such as albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels. These birds may mistake floating plastic for prey, and their small gizzards and inability to regurgitate indigestible items make them especially susceptible to the harmful effects of plastic ingestion.
The first observations of plastic pieces inside seabirds date back to the 1960s, and studies conducted between 1962 and 2012 revealed that 59% of examined seabird species had ingested plastics. The rate of plastic ingestion among seabirds is growing steadily, with an estimated 78% of identified species of seabirds having deposited plastic in their digestive tracts since the 1960s. It is predicted that more than 99% of over 300 seabird species will have ingested plastic debris by 2050.
Young birds are more likely to contain plastic than adults, as they are fed by both parents, who transfer their plastic load to their chicks. Additionally, young birds may have less developed grinding action in their gizzards, slowing down the removal of ingested plastic.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for birds, including entanglement, nutritional deprivation, and damage or obstruction of the gut. Sharp-edged plastic can puncture holes in internal organs, and large amounts of plastic in the gut can affect body weight and overall health. Some of the negative impacts of plastic ingestion on birds include reduced body weight, slower growth rates, and increased mortality.
Birds that ingest plastic contribute to the spread of plastic pollution in their environments. Seabirds spread particulate plastics at their colonies through regurgitation and guano deposition, increasing the concentration of chemical contaminants in their surroundings.
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Human health and plastic
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. At every stage of their lifecycle, from extraction to disposal, plastics negatively impact human health and well-being. The toxic chemical additives and pollutants used in plastic production have harmful consequences for people worldwide. Here are some key ways in which plastics affect human health:
Inhalation and Ingestion of Microplastics: Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, have permeated our oceans, soil, and air. People are exposed to these microplastics through inhalation and ingestion. They are present in contaminated seafood, tap and bottled water, and even beverages like beer. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an average person may ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic each week.
Health Risks: The toxic chemicals in plastics are linked to adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, and decreased reproductive health. These chemicals can alter hormone activity, impacting reproduction, growth, and cognitive function. Additionally, microplastics act as carriers for pathogens, facilitating the spread of diseases.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events: Plastics contribute to climate change and the associated health risks. The production of plastics leads to greenhouse gas emissions, warming temperatures, and extreme weather events. These changes have direct implications for human health, including increased risks of respiratory issues and heat-related illnesses.
Environmental Injustice and Human Rights: Vulnerable groups, including children, women, workers in the waste sector, and marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution. Exposure to plastics during pregnancy and early childhood can lead to prematurity, birth defects, neurodevelopmental impairments, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Additionally, communities living near plastic production facilities, such as "Cancer Alley" in Louisiana, experience higher rates of cancer and other health issues due to toxic emissions.
Economic Impact: The global cost of plastic-related health issues is significant. In 2022, the estimated cost of managing plastic-related health impacts was a staggering $100 billion per year. This economic burden underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and its consequences for public health.
Addressing plastic pollution requires collective action from individuals, organizations, and governments. Reducing plastic usage, improving waste management, and transitioning to a more sustainable economy are crucial steps toward protecting human health and the planet.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals eat the most plastic in the ocean, where plastic pollution has become a global crisis. Over 800 marine and coastal species are impacted by plastic pollution, either through ingestion or entanglement.
While it is difficult to determine which marine animals eat the most plastic, plastic has been found in the stomachs of many species, including fish, turtles, whales, albatross, flesh-footed shearwaters, Hawaiian monk seals, and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles.
Land animals in areas with high plastic pollution, such as heavily wooded forests, are at risk of ingesting plastic waste. For example, a wild elephant in Periyar, India, died from ingesting plastic discarded by pilgrims.
Animals eat plastic because they are unable to distinguish it from food. Animals that filter-feed or live under beach sand cannot distinguish plastic from food. Some fish eat plastic because they mistake it for fish eggs, and turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish.
