Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has been causing harm to both human and animal life. Animals often ingest plastic, which can lead to severe health issues and even death. This occurs when animals mistake plastic for prey or when they consume other animals that have already ingested plastic. Marine animals are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion, with over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, confirmed to have eaten plastic. This problem is not limited to the ocean, as plastic has been found in animals across various environments and depths. While the full extent of the harm caused by plastic ingestion is still being studied, it is clear that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to animal life.
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What You'll Learn
Animals can't distinguish plastic from food
Animals eat plastic because they cannot distinguish it from food. This is especially true for filter feeders like plankton, shellfish, baleen whales, and lugworms. Fish eat plastic because they mistake it for fish eggs, and turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. In the stomachs of the northern fulmar, plastic is almost always found because it gathers its food by flying with an open beak above the water surface.
Plastic debris coated with food waste increases the chance that animals will eat it. For example, plastic that would otherwise float may have algae or barnacles grow on its surface, changing its mass and dragging it down. Algae can also stick to floating microplastics, which are then eaten by zooplankton, a major food source for many marine animals.
Some animals are attracted to plastic by its odour. Specifically, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a compound known to attract foraging birds, has been implicated as the chemical cue emanating from plastic. When algae growing on plastic are eaten by krill, they release DMS, attracting birds and fish that then eat the plastic instead of the krill they intended to consume.
The ingestion of plastic by wildlife was first observed in 1966 when researchers found plastic container lids and toys in dead Laysan albatross chicks. A review found that over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, have been confirmed to eat plastic. This number will likely increase as wildlife continues to encounter human trash.
While some animals may be more likely to eat plastic than others, this material can stay in their bodies for a long time and may even travel through the food web. For example, plastic has been found inside the guts of a third of UK-caught fish, as well as in other commonly consumed seafood like mussels and lobsters.
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Plastic gets stuck in the digestive system
Animals often eat plastic because they are unable to distinguish it from food. This is especially true for filter feeders like plankton, shellfish, baleen whales, and lugworms. Some fish mistake plastic for fish eggs and bite at floating plastic in the water. Turtles see plastic bags as jellyfish, their usual prey. In other cases, animals may be attracted to plastic that has been oxidized and colonized by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Once ingested, plastic can get stuck in an animal's digestive system. This is because plastic is notoriously hard to break down. It fills up the animal's stomach, reducing the feeling of hunger and leading to malnutrition and starvation. A 2018 study found plastic in the digestive system of every single sea turtle examined. In another instance, a whale was found dead with 220 pounds of plastic congealed in its digestive system.
However, recent research has found that bacteria from a cow's stomach can digest certain types of plastic. The study, published in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, offers a promising but under-investigated source of novel enzymes that could break down plastic. Similarly, a 2019 study found microplastics in the stomach and intestines of beluga whales, suggesting that some whales may possess the ability to break down plastic over time.
While these findings offer potential solutions for reducing plastic waste, the impact of plastic on wildlife remains a critical issue. Plastic has been observed in the stomachs of tens of thousands of marine organisms, including zooplankton, corals, fish, sea turtles, marine mammals, and seabirds. It is essential to continue researching the effects of plastic ingestion and to work towards reducing plastic pollution to protect these animals.
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Bacteria in cows' stomachs can break down plastic
Animals, including whales, camels, turtles, and birds, often ingest plastic because they are unable to distinguish it from food. Plastic debris coated with food waste increases the likelihood of animals eating it. This ingested plastic fills up their stomachs, leading to starvation and death.
Amidst this crisis, a promising discovery has been made regarding the breakdown of plastic. Research conducted by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria, suggests that bacteria found in one of the compartments of a cow's stomach, known as the rumen, can break down certain types of plastic. Cows naturally consume plant polyesters as part of their diet, and the rumen contains a diverse microbial community that aids in food digestion.
The study, published in the Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology journal, revealed that these microorganisms can break down polyesters commonly used in textiles, packaging, and compostable bags. The researchers tested three types of polyesters: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a synthetic polymer; polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a biodegradable plastic; and polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a bio-based material. The results showed that all three plastics could be effectively broken down by the bacteria from cow stomachs, with plastic powders breaking down faster than plastic film.
The discovery of these plastic-degrading microbes presents a sustainable and eco-friendly opportunity to address the pervasive issue of plastic waste and litter. The next steps in this research involve identifying the specific microbes and enzymes responsible for plastic degradation, which can then be produced and applied in recycling plants. While the study has only been conducted on a small scale in a lab setting, the authors believe that upscaling is feasible and would have significant environmental benefits.
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Plastic ingestion leads to starvation and death
Animals often eat plastic because they are unable to distinguish it from food. For example, turtles see plastic bags as jellyfish, their staple food. Similarly, fish mistake plastic for fish eggs and bite at floating plastic in the water. Plastic debris coated with food waste increases the likelihood of animals eating it.
Plastic ingestion can lead to starvation and death in animals. Plastic fills up the stomach, reducing the feeling of hunger and, consequently, the urge to eat. This results in poor nutrition and starvation. Large pieces of plastic can also get stuck in the digestive system, causing internal bleeding and infection. For example, in 2019, a whale washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, and a young green turtle that washed up on the coast of Brazil in 2010 had 3267 pieces of plastic in its gut.
In addition to starvation, plastic ingestion can cause direct harm to animals. Sharp plastic debris can perforate the intestines, leading to death. Large plastic items can also entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators.
While plastic is notoriously challenging to break down, recent studies have found that bacteria in cows' stomachs can digest certain types of plastic. These findings present a promising sustainable option for reducing plastic waste.
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Plastic is found in almost every part of the ocean
The impact of plastic pollution in the ocean is widespread and devastating. Marine animals, such as whales, turtles, birds, and fish, often mistake plastic for food, leading to fatal consequences. For example, a young green turtle that washed ashore in Brazil had 3,267 pieces of plastic in its gut, causing its death. Similarly, a whale found dead on a beach in Scotland had 220 pounds of plastic and trash in its digestive system. These tragic cases highlight the deadly effects of plastic ingestion on marine life.
Another way plastic enters the ocean is through streams and storm drains, which carry debris directly into marine ecosystems. This includes microplastics, which are small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size. Microplastics can come from larger plastics breaking down or be intentionally added to products such as toothpaste and face wash. They are easily ingested by marine life and can absorb and release harmful chemicals.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a global issue, with the majority of plastic pollution coming from middle-income countries, particularly in Asia. This is due to poor waste management infrastructure, which results in plastic leaking into the environment and oceans. Even in high-income countries, plastic waste is often mismanaged, ending up in landfills or incinerated instead of being recycled or properly disposed of.
To address this pressing issue, it is crucial to improve waste management practices worldwide and reduce the use of single-use and disposable plastics. Public awareness and participation in clean-up efforts are also essential steps in mitigating the impact of plastic pollution in the ocean. By working together and making sustainable choices, we can help protect marine life and ecosystems from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic sits in animals' stomachs because they mistake it for food. Animals are not always able to distinguish plastic from food. For example, plastic bags look like jellyfish, which are on the menu for turtles. Plastic can also be slathered in colonies of bacteria, which may attract hungry animals.
Plastic ingestion can lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation, and even death. Plastic fills up animals' stomachs, reducing their feeling of hunger. This can lead to poor nutrition and starvation.
Marine animals are most affected by plastic ingestion, including turtles, whales, fish, seabirds, and crustaceans. A review by Kühn and van Franeker found that over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, have been confirmed to eat plastic.
To prevent plastic ingestion in animals, it is important to reduce plastic waste and litter. This can be done through initiatives such as #ZeroPlasticWaste and commitments to reduce single-use plastics. Additionally, further research is needed to understand the full effects of plastic ingestion on animal health.
