Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic in the ocean, and not a single square mile of surface ocean anywhere on Earth is free of it. Plastic debris in the ocean comes from a variety of land and ocean-based sources, and it is transported from land to sea via rivers and coastlines. 70-80% of plastic in the ocean is transported from land, and the remaining 20-30% comes from marine sources such as abandoned fishing nets, lines, ropes, and vessels. Rivers carry plastic from land to sea, and the closer the plastic is to a river, and the closer that river is to the ocean, the more likely it is to reach the ocean. A 2021 study identified 1,000 rivers worldwide that contribute to almost 80% of ocean plastic emissions. While some plastic sinks, the plastic that floats will often beach on a coastline within a month of leaking into the ocean.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic build-up on coastlines | Coastlines are the final resting place for most floating ocean plastic |
| Plastic sources | Land-based (70-80%) and marine sources (20-30%) |
| Land-based plastic sources | Thrown-out single-use items, litter dropped on streets, flushed-down daily-use products, microfibres from washing clothes, landfill waste blown away by wind, etc. |
| Marine sources | Fishing nets, lines, ropes, abandoned vessels, etc. |
| Top plastic-emitting rivers | Yangtze, Xi, and Huangpu rivers in China; Ganges in India; Cross in Nigeria; Amazon in Brazil |
| Plastic impact | Marine mammals ingest and get tangled up in plastic, leading to injury and mortality |
| Plastic decomposition | Plastic breaks down into microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic from littering
Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic found in the oceans, from the equator to the poles, and from Arctic ice sheets to the sea floor. Plastic debris is the most common form of marine waste, and it can enter the water in many ways. Once in the water, plastic debris never fully biodegrades, instead breaking down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and wreak havoc on marine ecosystems.
Littering is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. When plastic waste is left on streets or in landfills, rainwater and wind can carry it into streams, rivers, and drains, which eventually lead to the ocean. Careless and improper waste disposal, including illegal dumping, adds greatly to the plastic surge in the seas. Even microfibers released from washing synthetic clothing or fishing nets can end up in waterways and consumed by marine species, eventually entering our food chain.
The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with 70-80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land and transported via rivers or coastlines. Rivers act as arteries, carrying plastic from land to sea, and the closer a river is to the ocean, the greater the chances of plastic reaching it. Large river basins with high populations and poor waste management practices, such as the Yangtze, Ganges, and Amazon rivers, are among the biggest emitters of plastic pollution.
Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, as they are the final resting place for most floating ocean plastic. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) products, like bottle caps, are likely to travel long distances and remain afloat, contributing to the accumulation of plastic in these regions. The impact of plastic pollution on coastal environments can be devastating, affecting the fishing and tourism industries and resulting in high cleanup costs for communities.
To address plastic pollution, it is essential to focus on proper waste management and reducing plastic use. This includes recycling, reusing, and properly disposing of plastic items, as well as participating in cleanup efforts to remove plastic from the ocean before it breaks down into microplastics, which are more challenging to clean up. By tackling the root causes of plastic pollution and improving waste management practices, we can work towards mitigating the impact of plastic on our coastlines and marine ecosystems.
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Plastic from drains and sewers
Plastic pollution on coastlines and in the ocean is a growing global crisis. Plastic debris wreaks havoc on marine life, ecosystems, and habitats, and has even ended up in our food chain. While most plastic in the ocean comes from land-based sources, including litter dropped on streets and plastic waste that is improperly disposed of, plastic from drains and sewers also plays a significant role in plastic pollution on coastlines.
Drains and sewers are designed to capture rainwater and prevent flooding. However, researchers have found that trash, including plastic waste, is increasingly making its way from those drains to the ocean. For example, in the city of Philadelphia, which has over 75,000 stormwater inlets, plastic trash has been found to accumulate by the metal grate. During heavy rains, stormwater inlets and sewers can carry plastic waste directly into creeks, rivers, bays, and eventually the ocean. While the grates are designed to trap larger items, smaller pieces of plastic slip through and end up polluting waterways.
In addition, some of the larger items break down into smaller pieces over time. These microplastics can then be consumed by small marine species and enter our food chain. Microplastics can also come from synthetic clothing and fishing nets, which shed microfibers that absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, only to later release them in the ocean.
To reduce plastic pollution from drains and sewers, cities can implement inlet-cleaning crews to remove and clean storm drains. For example, the Philadelphia Water Department operates three marine vessels that clean up trash from the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. In addition, individuals can reduce their plastic use, reuse and recycle plastic items, and properly dispose of plastic waste to prevent it from ending up in drains and sewers.
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Plastic from rivers
Plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global crisis. Marine mammals ingest and get tangled up in plastic, with large amounts of plastic debris found in the habitats of critically endangered species. Plastic in the ocean comes from a variety of land and ocean-based sources, with 70% to 80% of plastic transported from land to sea via rivers.
A recent study estimates that more than a quarter of plastic waste in the ocean comes from just 10 rivers, eight of them in Asia. These are the Yangtze, Yellow, Hai, Pearl, Amur, Mekong, Indus and Ganges Delta in Asia, and the Niger and Nile in Africa. The Yangtze alone dumps up to an estimated 1.5 million metric tons of plastic waste into the Yellow Sea.
The remaining 20% to 30% of plastic in the ocean comes from marine sources, such as fishing nets, lines, ropes, and abandoned vessels. Once in the ocean, plastic never fully biodegrades. It breaks into smaller pieces, known as microplastics, which can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, only to later release them in the ocean.
To tackle plastic pollution, we need to focus on the biggest emitter rivers, which are often large rivers with large populations and poor waste management practices. However, smaller rivers also play a role, and better waste collection and management practices in polluted regions are crucial. Community-led research and projects, such as the Citarum Repair project in Indonesia, are helping to turn off the tap of plastic waste.
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Plastic from fishing equipment
Plastic debris in the ocean is a pressing issue, with plastic pollution choking our oceans and their inhabitants. Plastic debris never fully biodegrades and can wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Marine mammals ingest or get tangled up in plastic, causing injury and mortality.
Fishing equipment is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean. Abandoned fishing nets, also known as "ghost nets," can continue to entangle and kill marine life for decades. A study published in March 2018 found that approximately 46% of the 79 thousand tons of ocean plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was made up of fishing nets. Another study in 2024 reported that 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch originated from offshore fishing activity.
The plastic waste from fishing gear includes nets, ropes, long lines, and plastic fishing crates and baskets. These items can entangle and suffocate fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and marine birds. It is estimated that more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets, contributing to the decline in some fish populations.
To address the issue of plastic pollution from fishing equipment, governments and organizations like Sea Shepherd are taking measures to prevent fishing gear from polluting the oceans. Consumers can also make a difference by reducing their plastic waste and supporting sustainable fishing practices. Additionally, rivers are a significant pathway for plastic pollution, with around one million tons of plastic emitted into the oceans through rivers in 2015.
Overall, the plastic pollution crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including tackling river emissions, stopping plastic at its source, and promoting sustainable alternatives to reduce the impact on our coastlines and marine life.
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Plastic from microfibres
Plastic pollution has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic found in the oceans and on coastsline. It is estimated that there are 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the oceans, with plastic debris found in every square mile of surface ocean on Earth. Marine life, including endangered species, is severely impacted by this pollution, with ingestion and entanglement leading to injury and mortality.
Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic, are a significant contributor to this crisis. They are formed when larger plastic items break down, but unlike other waste, they do not decompose, persisting in the environment indefinitely. Microfibers, a type of microplastic, are shed from synthetic clothing, fishing nets, and car tyres, and are released into the environment through manufacturing, washing, and wear and tear. These microfibers can absorb harmful pollutants, such as pesticides, dyes, and flame retardants, and release them into the ocean.
Recent studies have found microfibers to be prevalent in Europe's seas, including the Baltic Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic coastline, and the Mediterranean Sea. All 36 water samples collected in these regions contained microfibers, with an average of 139 microplastic particles per cubic meter. Microfibers have also been found in abundance on shorelines where wastewater is released, indicating that laundry wastewater is a significant source of plastic pollution, with billions of microfibers escaping wastewater treatment plants daily.
The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project is working on a global initiative to standardize microplastic sampling and measurement methods, as the current wide range of results from different methodologies makes it challenging to fully grasp the extent of the problem. However, it is clear that microfibers are a significant component of microplastics in the ocean, and their ability to absorb and concentrate pollutants in animals' tissues is a growing concern.
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Frequently asked questions
The main source of plastic pollution on coastlines is land-based—70% to 80% of plastic in the ocean comes from land.
Plastic waste can be blown into rivers and oceans from landfills, or washed into streams and rivers from litter on streets.
Plastic debris on coastlines includes items like food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, and takeout containers. Bottle caps are also commonly found on coastlines due to their ability to stay afloat and travel long distances.
Plastic build-up on coastlines can have serious consequences for the coastal environment, fishing and tourism industries, and high cleanup costs for coastal communities.
To reduce plastic build-up on coastlines, individuals can reduce their use of disposable and single-use plastic items, reuse and recycle plastic items, and participate in local cleanup efforts.
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