Omar Khalid
Plastic in the ocean is a pressing global issue. It is estimated that there are currently 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans, with the amount growing annually. The plastic in the ocean comes from a variety of sources, including abandoned fishing nets, littering, and improper waste disposal. Once in the ocean, plastic can persist for long periods, with the oldest pieces found dating back to the 1960s. The plastic breaks down into microplastics, which can absorb harmful pollutants and enter the marine food chain, causing detrimental effects on marine life. The impact of plastic pollution is widespread, with entanglement and ingestion affecting 914 megafaunal species, including endangered wildlife. The crisis demands urgent action, with a focus on improving waste management and reducing plastic usage to prevent further plastic pollution in our oceans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Extent of the problem | There is no square mile of surface ocean that is free of plastic pollution. |
| Plastic in oceans as a percentage of plastic waste | 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in the ocean. |
| Plastic in oceans as a percentage of ocean surfaces | Plastic makes up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. |
| Amount of plastic in oceans | Studies estimate there are 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world's oceans. Another estimate suggests around 1 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. |
| Most polluted area | The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and California, is the most polluted and best-studied area. It is estimated to be twice the size of Texas and contains 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic larger than 0.5mm. |
| Plastic items found in oceans | Plastic in oceans includes abandoned fishing nets, food wrappers, beverage bottles, grocery bags, straws, take-out containers, cups, plates, bottle caps, single-use bags, and cigarette butts. |
| Microplastics | Microplastics are small beads found in some soaps and other personal care products. They can also be bits of what were once larger items, such as microfibers shed from synthetic clothing or fishing nets. These can absorb harmful pollutants and later release them in the ocean. |
| Impact on wildlife | Marine wildlife suffers direct and damaging effects of ocean plastic pollution. Entanglement and ingestion of plastic have been found to impact 914 megafaunal species, with more than 100 of them being endangered. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and this number is predicted to increase to 99% by 2050. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year due to ingesting or getting entangled in plastic. |
| Sources of plastic in oceans | The main source of ocean plastic pollution is land-based, with 80% of plastic in the ocean originating on land. Rivers are a significant pathway for plastic to reach the ocean, with coastal cities in middle-income countries being the world's plastic emissions hotspots. Waste management is a critical factor, with mismanaged waste (not recycled, incinerated, or stored in sealed landfills) more likely to leak into the ocean. Middle-income countries, particularly across Asia, are the most significant contributors to plastic in the ocean. |
| Solutions | Improving waste management strategies and implementing waste collection and recycling globally are crucial to addressing ocean plastic pollution. Reducing plastic use and properly disposing of waste are also important. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic waste management
The second step is to improve waste management and recycling infrastructure. Currently, only 9% of plastic is recycled, while about 22% of plastic waste is not collected, improperly disposed of, or littered. This is particularly challenging in middle-income countries, where plastic usage is growing, and adequate waste management systems are lacking. Effective waste management systems in high-income countries demonstrate that it is possible to keep plastic out of the natural environment, despite higher consumption rates.
The third step is to address the existing plastic waste crisis. This involves proper collection and disposal of plastic waste to prevent contamination of the air, soil, and water. Landfilling, incineration, and uncontrolled disposal methods are commonly used, but they are not environmentally sound solutions. Instead, the Basel Convention provides guidance for better management of plastic waste, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program works to understand how plastics enter the ocean and how they can be removed and prevented from polluting in the future.
Finally, to support these efforts, international cooperation is vital. The Basel Convention is a key international agreement that directly addresses plastic pollution and provides technical guidelines for environmentally sound management of plastic waste. Additionally, organizations like the Center for Biological Diversity and the Geneva Environment Network are actively working to tackle plastic pollution at its source and advocate for regulatory changes.
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Microplastics
Plastic in oceans is a pressing global issue, with microplastics constituting a significant portion of this pollution. Microplastics are plastic fragments less than five millimetres in length, originating from various sources. They can be "primary", designed to be small, such as microbeads in health and beauty products, or "secondary", resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items.
Primary microplastics, like microbeads, are tiny plastic spheres intentionally added to products like toothpastes and body washes to enhance their scrubbing ability. These microbeads can pass through water filtration systems, ultimately ending up in oceans and lakes, posing a threat to aquatic life. Secondary microplastics are formed when larger plastic items break down into smaller fragments due to exposure to environmental factors like sunlight, temperature, humidity, and ocean waves.
The presence of microplastics in the ocean has far-reaching consequences. They are ingested by marine organisms, including plankton, fish larvae, oysters, and scallops, potentially impacting both marine life and humans due to the toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing process. While the impacts of larger plastics are well understood, the specific health effects of microplastics on marine ecosystems and human health are still being studied.
Addressing the issue of microplastics requires a multifaceted approach. Reducing plastic use, reusing and recycling plastic items, and proper waste disposal are essential strategies to minimise plastic pollution. Additionally, participating in local clean-up initiatives and supporting organisations working to prevent plastic pollution can collectively contribute to mitigating the impact of microplastics on our oceans and the environment.
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Impact on marine life
Plastic in the 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. Humans produce over 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, and it is estimated that up to 13 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year.
Plastic in the oceans has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. From all kinds of fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, and many other forms of life, the damage caused by plastic pollution to marine animals is increasingly visible. Marine megafauna are also vulnerable to plastic ingestion. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mainly plastic bags. Sea turtles often mistake plastic for food, and plastic bags look similar to jellyfish, the staple diet of leatherback turtles. When turtles eat plastic bags, it can make them feel full, eventually leading to starvation. A recent study found that all seven species of sea turtle from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea had traces of microplastics in their gut.
Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation. Seabirds are also affected, with an estimated 60% of all seabird species having eaten pieces of plastic, a figure predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Seabirds are found dead with their stomachs full of plastic waste. Marine mammals ingest and get tangled up in plastic. Large amounts of plastic debris have been found in the habitat of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, including areas that serve as pup nurseries. Entanglement in plastic debris has also led to injury and mortality in the endangered Steller sea lion, with packing bands being the most common entangling material.
Plastic debris in the ocean can also transport invasive marine species and accumulate pollutants, which are then transferred to marine life that ingests the plastic. Floating plastic debris can allow species such as coastal organisms to spread far from their usual environments and thrive in the open ocean, upsetting the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
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Rivers as carriers
Plastic in the oceans is a pressing global issue, with billions of pounds of plastic found in the oceans and on beaches. This plastic pollution has had a devastating impact on marine wildlife, with thousands of creatures dying each year due to ingestion of or entanglement in plastic. The problem is worsening, with the amount of plastic in the ocean increasing rapidly over the last 40 years.
Rivers are a significant carrier of plastic from land to sea. While not every piece of plastic in a river will end up in the ocean, rivers are still a major contributor to plastic emissions. The closer a plastic object is to a river, and the closer that river is to the ocean, the more likely it is that the plastic will reach the ocean. Coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots. A study from 2021 identified 1000 rivers worldwide that contribute almost 80% of ocean plastic emissions.
The latest research has revealed that smaller rivers play a bigger role in carrying plastic to the oceans than previously thought. The size of the river basin is not as important as other factors that affect the probability of plastic reaching the river and then the ocean. These factors include the proximity of populations to the river, the distance to the ocean, the slope of the terrain, and types of land use. Rivers with nearby cities are more likely to be polluted as water and plastic can drain into river outlets from paved surfaces.
The top ten rivers contributing to plastic emissions are the Yangtze, Yellow, Hai, Pearl, Amur, Mekong, Indus and Ganges Delta in Asia, and the Niger and Nile in Africa. These rivers are located in regions with poor waste management practices and large populations. The Pasig River in the Philippines alone accounts for 6.4% of global river plastics.
To tackle the problem of plastic in the oceans, it is crucial to focus on these rivers and improve waste management practices in the regions they flow through. Raising public awareness about the issue is also essential. By addressing plastic pollution at its source, we can prevent it from reaching the oceans and causing further harm to marine life and the environment.
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Global crisis
Plastic in the oceans is a global crisis. It is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action from individuals, corporations, and governments alike. The consequences of plastic pollution are far-reaching and devastating, impacting the environment, wildlife, and human health.
The presence of plastic in our oceans is a result of human activities on land. It is estimated that around 8 million metric tons of plastic entered the ocean in 2010, and the problem has only grown since then. With only 9% of plastic waste being recycled globally, the majority of plastic ends up in landfills or leaks into rivers, lakes, and the ocean due to improper waste management. This mismanagement is particularly prevalent in middle-income countries, where plastic usage is increasing, and waste management systems struggle to keep up. As a result, coastal cities in these countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots.
The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is deadly for marine wildlife. From fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, and seabirds, plastic ingestion and entanglement have been observed. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have ingested plastic, and this number is predicted to rise to 99% by 2050. Endangered species, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the Steller sea lion, are also victims of plastic pollution, with entanglement in fishing gear and ingestion of plastic debris leading to injuries and deaths.
The problem is not limited to the ocean but extends to our beaches as well. Microplastics, resulting from the slow decomposition of larger plastic items, can be found in beach sand and enter the marine food chain. These microplastics can absorb harmful pollutants like pesticides and release them into the ocean, further exacerbating the issue. With plastic production increasing globally, the crisis is only expected to worsen, emphasizing the urgency to address it.
Addressing the global plastic pollution crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. It is essential to improve waste management practices, particularly in middle-income countries, to ensure plastic waste is recycled, incinerated, or properly disposed of. Reducing plastic usage and promoting reusable alternatives are also crucial. By tackling the issue at its source and working together, we can mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic in the ocean comes from land. Rivers are the main transporters of plastic from land to sea. The closer a river is to the ocean, the more likely plastic in that river will end up in the ocean. Coastal cities in middle-income countries are the world's plastic emissions hotspots.
Most plastic flowing into the ocean comes from middle-income countries, particularly across Asia. People in high-income countries consume the most plastic, but effective waste management systems mean that plastic is mostly kept out of the natural environment.
Plastic in the ocean has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Marine animals from all kinds of fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, and many other forms of life, suffer the consequences of plastic pollution. Entanglement and ingestion have been found to impact 914 megafaunal species, of which more than 100 are endangered. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten pieces of plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
To end plastic pollution, waste needs to be adequately managed. Implementing waste collection and recycling globally can address the issue of ocean plastic pollution. Individuals can also reduce their plastic use and dispose of waste properly.
