Omar Khalid
Plastic marine debris is a pressing global issue that poses a direct threat to wildlife, human health, and the economy. Marine debris, including plastics, fishing gear, and abandoned vessels, has been found in even the deepest parts of our oceans, impacting a diverse range of ecosystems and species. The accumulation of plastic pollution in our oceans is a result of inadequate waste management systems, with plastic escaping from various land-based and ocean-based sources. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the marine environment, as microplastics are now pervasive in our seafood, tap water, and salt, potentially posing health risks to humans. The increasing presence of plastic marine debris highlights the urgent need for collective action to address this crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main sources of marine debris | Land-based sources (80%) such as litter, trash, construction debris, industrial facilities, etc. Ocean-based sources (20%) such as overboard discharges from ships, discarded fishing gear, etc. |
| Impact on wildlife | Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of sea turtles, 44% of seabirds, and 43% of marine mammals. |
| Plastic in the food chain | Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, which can cause intestinal injury and death and transfer up the food chain to humans. |
| Plastic additives and chemicals | Plastic can contain harmful additives and chemicals and also attract toxins from the surrounding environment, increasing the harm to animals that ingest it. |
| Microplastics | Microplastics are pervasive in the marine environment and can be found in seafood, tap water, salt, and other sources. They are difficult to clean up due to their small size and can impact a large number of species. |
| Global impact | Plastic pollution affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. |
| Cleanup costs | Marine debris costs local and national economies millions in cleanup costs, wasted resources, and lost revenues. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic's durability and slow degradation means it persists in the environment
- Plastic is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities
- Land-based sources are the primary cause of plastic pollution in the ocean
- Plastic is often mistaken for food by marine wildlife, causing injury and death
- Plastic can act as a magnet for toxins, increasing harm to animals that ingest it
Plastic's durability and slow degradation means it persists in the environment
Plastic is a synthetic, organic polymer made from fossil fuels, such as gas and petroleum. Its durability and slow degradation mean it persists in the environment, causing widespread harm to natural ecosystems.
Plastic is designed to be durable, but this durability becomes an issue when plastic is improperly discarded and ends up in the environment as litter. Plastic's slow degradation means that it accumulates in the environment, leading to pollution and harm to ecosystems. This accumulation of plastic waste is a global crisis, impacting marine, freshwater, and land ecosystems.
In the marine environment, plastic pollution has a particularly devastating effect. Plastic debris can be found in even the deepest parts of the ocean, such as the Enigma Seamount in the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that there may be up to 1.8 billion pieces of plastic along the coastline of the United States. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the north-central Pacific Ocean, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world.
The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is far-reaching. Marine debris, including plastic, has been found to transport invasive species to new environments, threatening biodiversity. Floating plastic debris acts as a magnet for toxins from the air and water, becoming increasingly harmful to any animal that ingests it. As plastic breaks down, it contributes to the growing problem of microplastics in the ocean. These microplastics are ingested by marine life, leading to internal injuries, intestinal blockages, and even death. They also impact human health, as they enter the food chain and are found in seafood, tap water, and salt.
The durability and slow degradation of plastic contribute to the growing plastic pollution crisis, with plastic waste accumulating in the environment and causing harm to ecosystems and wildlife. Addressing this issue requires a combination of reduced plastic production, improved waste management, and changes in consumer behaviour.
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Plastic is used in almost all consumer and industrial activities
In consumer goods, plastic is prevalent in packaging, with about a third of plastic in developed economies used for this purpose. It is also found in food containers, bags, bottles, toys, tableware, and more. The versatility of plastic enables manufacturers to create customized products that meet specific requirements, which would be challenging with traditional materials. Additionally, plastic is lightweight and durable, making it ideal for transportation and electronics, such as car interiors and exteriors, bumpers, headlights, phones, and computers.
In the medical industry, plastic is used to produce medical devices, implants, and drug delivery systems. Its non-reactive and non-toxic nature make it suitable for these applications. Plastic is also used in construction, contributing to pipes, insulation, roofing, flooring, and other building materials. The durability and corrosion resistance of plastic improve the energy efficiency of buildings and enhance their overall structure.
Furthermore, plastic plays a significant role in industrial machinery and equipment. Its lightweight property reduces the overall weight of vehicles, making them more fuel-efficient. Plastic is also used in electrical equipment and provides design possibilities for customized products. The automotive industry has increasingly incorporated plastic over the years, benefiting from its versatility and cost-effectiveness.
The widespread use of plastic can be attributed to its low cost of production, making it ideal for mass production. The discovery and development of new polymers have further expanded the applications of plastic. However, the durability of plastic, while advantageous in many contexts, has also led to significant environmental issues, as plastic debris accumulates in marine environments and persists for extended periods.
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Land-based sources are the primary cause of plastic pollution in the ocean
Marine debris is defined as "any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes". Plastics are one of the most common types of marine debris. They are used in almost all consumer and industrial activities, from construction to vehicles, electronics, and agriculture.
Poor waste management practices are a significant factor in plastic pollution. Mismanaged plastic waste can easily enter rivers and the ocean, and cities with large populations and poor waste management practices tend to be the largest emitters of plastic pollution. High precipitation rates and proximity to coastlines also contribute to the problem, as plastics washed into rivers can quickly flow into the ocean.
The impact of plastic pollution is devastating for marine life. Research has shown that plastic ingestion leads to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and death in wildlife. In addition, plastics can act as magnets for toxins from the surrounding environment, making them even more harmful to any animal that ingests them. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals.
Microplastics, which come from the degradation of larger plastic objects, are particularly harmful due to their small size and increased bioavailability. They can be ingested by marine organisms and have been found in seafood, tap water, and salt consumed by humans. While the long-term effects of microplastics on human health are not yet fully understood, studies indicate that plastic can pass through the blood-brain barrier in mice within two hours of consumption and potentially cause acute and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and developmental issues.
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Plastic is often mistaken for food by marine wildlife, causing injury and death
Marine debris is defined as "any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes". Plastics are one of the most common types of marine debris, with plastic bags, bottle caps, balloons, lighters, food containers, and packaging making up a large portion of this waste.
Sea turtles are also commonly affected by plastic marine debris, mistaking plastic sheeting and bags for their jellyfish prey. This type of debris can get stuck in their digestive systems, leading to intestinal blockage and starvation. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic.
Plankton, shellfish, birds, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles have been confirmed to ingest plastic debris. The amount and type of plastic they eat are often related to the animal's feeding behaviour. Passive feeders may unintentionally eat microplastics with their food, while active feeders may ingest plastic while searching for and capturing their food.
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine wildlife is not limited to direct harm but also extends to the transfer of toxins through the food chain. Plastics can carry and release harmful pollutants, which can be absorbed by animals that ingest them. These pollutants can accumulate and be transferred to higher levels in the food chain, eventually reaching humans.
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Plastic can act as a magnet for toxins, increasing harm to animals that ingest it
Marine debris is defined as "any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes". Plastic debris constitutes a significant portion of this waste, with single-use plastic products and packaging being the most common types of plastic waste found in the ocean. Marine debris has been found even in the deepest parts of the ocean, such as the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.
Plastic debris is harmful to marine life in several ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contamination. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. Seabirds that feed on the ocean surface are especially prone to ingesting plastic debris that floats, and adults often feed plastic to their chicks, resulting in detrimental effects on their growth and survival. A study found that approximately 98% of sampled chicks contained plastic, and the amount of plastic ingested was increasing over time.
Research has shown that plastic ingestion can deliver pollutants and additives into animal tissues, potentially impacting their health and ability to sustain biodiversity. For example, a study on Prochlorococcus, an abundant type of bacteria and phytoplankton in the ocean, found that leaking toxins from plastic negatively affected their oxygen production and reproduction. Another study found that microplastics can pass through the blood-brain barrier in mice within two hours of consumption, posing potential acute and chronic toxicity risks.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine ecosystems, as plastics can release harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater, contaminating the food we grow and wildlife consumes. According to Greenpeace, common fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, broccoli, and carrots can contain high levels of microplastic particles. With over three billion people relying on fish as their primary source of protein, the presence of microplastics in marine life further contributes to the potential health risks for humans.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is durable, and according to the EPA, "every bit of plastic ever made still exists". Plastic is also pervasive, used in almost all consumer and industrial activities. As a result, plastic escapes from many different sources, such as litter, industrial discharges, and disposal.
Most marine debris (80%) comes from land-based sources, such as urban runoff, litter, trash, and debris from construction, ports, marinas, and industrial facilities. Ocean-based sources, such as discharges from ships and discarded fishing gear, account for the remaining 20%.
Plastic marine debris has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Marine animals such as birds, whales, fish, and turtles mistake indigestible plastic waste for food, which can cause internal injuries, intestinal blockage, starvation, and death. Plastic debris can also entangle marine animals, leading to injury and mortality.
Plastic marine debris is a major driver of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. It contributes to climate change and negatively impacts important ecosystems such as mangroves and wetlands. Floating plastic debris can also transport invasive species across ocean distances, causing trouble for biodiversity.
Reducing plastic marine debris requires a combination of policy changes, industry action, and individual behaviour changes. Policy changes such as a global plastics treaty can help reduce plastic production and phase out harmful products. Industries can increase the circularity of supply and value chains, while individuals can reduce plastic consumption and properly dispose of plastic waste.
