The Impact Of Plastic Pollution On Sea Animals

Plastic pollution is deadly to ocean wildlife. Marine animals are affected by plastic pollution in a variety of ways, from ingestion to entanglement, which can lead to starvation, suffocation, and drowning. According to the United Nations, at least 800 species worldwide are impacted by marine debris, with plastic accounting for up to 80% of that litter. Every year, plastic kills approximately 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals.

One of the most affected groups of marine animals is sea turtles. They often mistake plastic for food, ingesting items such as plastic bags, bottle lids, and old fishing nets. Plastic can cause internal injuries, block their digestive systems, and lead to starvation as it creates a false sense of fullness. Additionally, plastic pollution on beaches interferes with their reproduction rates by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.

Seabirds are also severely impacted by plastic pollution. They consume plastic, which can cause declining kidney function and affect growth due to the release of toxic chemicals. The ingestion of plastic also reduces the storage volume of their stomachs, leading to starvation.

Marine mammals, such as seals and sea lions, are commonly found entangled in plastic debris, especially abandoned fishing nets and packing bands. This entanglement can result in severe infections and even death.

Whales, the ocean giants, are not spared either. They mistakenly ingest plastic debris and abandoned fishing nets, leading to gastric obstructions and death.

The effects of plastic pollution on sea animals are devastating and far-reaching. Urgent action is needed to address this global crisis and protect the diverse marine life that calls the ocean home.

Sea turtles mistake plastic for food, which can cause choking, internal injury, and starvation

Sea turtles are among the hundreds of marine species that are affected by plastic pollution. They often mistake plastic for food and ingest it, or get entangled in plastic floating in the ocean. Plastic bags and sheets can resemble jellyfish, and fishing nets can look like tasty seaweed, which are staples of a sea turtle's diet.

The ingestion of plastic can cause serious health issues for sea turtles. Sharp plastics can pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. Plastic can also block their digestive system, giving them the sensation of being full, reducing their urge to eat, and making it difficult for them to get proper nutrition, which can lead to starvation. Even a single piece of plastic can be deadly, with a 22% chance of causing death.

In addition to ingestion, sea turtles can also become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets, which can cause choking, restrict their movement, and make them more vulnerable to predators. The accumulation of plastics on nesting beaches also affects the survival of baby turtles, as it becomes more difficult for them to reach the sea.

Research indicates that over half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and it is estimated that plastic ingestion increases their risk of death. The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles highlights the urgent need to address this global crisis and reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans.

Crabs are attracted to a pheromone and stimulant called 'Oleamide' found in plastic

Marine life is facing a grave threat from plastic pollution. It is estimated that 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic are currently in the oceans, causing harm to hundreds of marine species. Crabs, in particular, are attracted to a pheromone and stimulant called Oleamide found in plastic.

A study by the University of Hull in England examined the impact of climate change and plastic waste on hermit crabs in eastern England. They found that a chemical found in plastic, oleamide, acts as a stimulant for the crabs, increasing their respiration rates and indicating excitement and attraction. Oleamide is structurally similar to oleic acid, a chemical released by arthropods during decomposition. This similarity leads to hermit crabs mistaking oleamide as a food source, creating a dangerous trap.

The University of Hull's Paula Schirrmacher, a PhD candidate, stated, "Our study shows that oleamide attracts hermit crabs. Respiration rate increases significantly in response to low concentrations of oleamide, and hermit crabs show a behavioural attraction comparable to their response to a feeding stimulant." The study also suggested that "additive leaching" may be a significant factor in attracting marine life to plastic.

The impact of this attraction extends beyond the crabs themselves. As scavengers, crabs can ingest microplastics that enter their gills and pass up the food chain to humans when crabs are consumed. Plastic pollution also affects the breeding cycles of blue mussels and the reproduction rates of sea turtles, further disrupting marine ecosystems.

The issue of crabs being attracted to oleamide in plastic highlights the complex ways in which marine life is affected by human-made pollutants. It underscores the urgent need to address the growing plastic pollution crisis and protect the diverse species that call the ocean home.

Seabirds are affected by plastic ingestion, which can cause declining kidney function and affect growth

Seabirds are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution, and their ingestion of plastic debris can have severe consequences for their health and survival. One of the most pressing issues is the impairment of kidney function, which is caused by the chemicals that leach into the bloodstream when plastic is ingested. These chemicals, such as PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), and Bisphenol A, are secreted by both macro- and microplastics and have been linked to declining kidney function in seabirds.

The Flesh-Footed Shearwater is one of the most affected and studied marine birds when it comes to plastic ingestion, with approximately 90% of fledglings found to have plastic in their stomachs. A study by Jennifer Lavers at the University of Tasmania revealed that these chemicals could be correlated with impaired kidney function in the birds. The presence of plastic in the digestive system can also affect the bird's cholesterol and enzyme levels, further impacting their overall health.

In addition to the direct impact on kidney function, plastic ingestion also reduces the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. The accumulation of plastic in the bird's stomach takes up space, limiting the amount of food they can consume. This deprivation of vital nutrients can have severe consequences for the bird's growth and development, as evidenced by shorter head, bill, and wing lengths in shearwater fledglings.

The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds is not limited to physical ingestion. The chemicals leached from plastic can also be passed on to their chicks through allofeeding. Additionally, plastic debris in the ocean can alter the density and composition of marine vegetation, which seabirds use for hunting and nesting. The more plastic that enters the ocean, the greater the number of seabirds that are affected, either directly or indirectly through the food chain.

Seals and sea lions are commonly found entangled in plastic debris, with plastic packing bands and rubber bands impacting the Steller Sea Lion population

Seals and sea lions are highly curious and playful creatures, which makes them particularly susceptible to interacting with and becoming entangled in plastic debris. Once entangled, they may suffer wounds, expend additional energy, or drown. In some cases, they may even starve as their stomachs fill with plastic, leading them to believe they are full.

Steller sea lions are among the most affected by plastic pollution. In Alaska, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has recorded more than 500 Steller sea lions that have either become entangled in marine debris or ingested fishing gear. The neck is the most common body part to become entangled, and plastic packing bands and rubber bands are the most common culprits. These bands are used to secure and reinforce packaging and are extremely cheap, compact, and durable. Unfortunately, they do not biodegrade, so they persist in the environment and on living organisms, gradually cutting into their flesh as they move and grow.

Efforts to address this issue include public education campaigns, such as "Lose the Loop," which encourages people to cut any loops on plastic items before disposal. In addition, researchers like Kim Raum-Suryan from Oregon State University are advocating for changes in manufacturing and packaging processes to prevent entanglement. Raum-Suryan has suggested using biodegradable glue for packing bands so that they release after short exposure to saltwater and sunlight.

The impact of plastic pollution on seals and sea lions is a serious concern, and it is crucial that we take action to prevent further harm to these fascinating creatures.

Whales mistake plastic for food, which can cause gastric obstructions and death

Marine wildlife is facing a grave threat from plastic pollution, with whales being particularly affected. The impact of plastic on whales is a pressing issue, as evidenced by the tragic cases of whales ingesting large amounts of plastic, leading to gastric obstructions and death.

Whales, the majestic giants of the ocean, are at risk due to their tendency to mistake plastic for their natural prey. This mistake has fatal consequences, as ingesting plastic can cause severe gastric obstructions, ultimately leading to starvation and death. The plastic debris, including plastic bags and abandoned fishing gear, can become densely compacted in their stomachs, preventing the passage of food and blocking their intestines.

One such tragic case occurred in the Davao Gulf of the Philippines, where researchers found a young Cuvier beaked whale that had died with nearly 90 pounds of plastic waste in its stomach. The whale's stomach was filled with plastic bags, rice sacks, snack bags, and tangles of nylon ropes, causing it to starve to death. This is not an isolated incident, as researchers in the same region have attributed about 45 out of 61 whale deaths to plastic ingestion.

The problem is exacerbated by the similarity between plastic bags and the whale's natural prey, such as squid. Whales use echolocation to search for food, and in deep ocean currents, it can be challenging to distinguish between a plastic bag and a squid. This mistake has dire consequences for the whales, leading to gastric obstructions and a slow and painful death.

The impact of plastic pollution on whales extends beyond ingestion. Abandoned fishing nets and lines can entangle whales, causing them to die a slow and agonizing death through suffocation, starvation, or exhaustion. The issue is prevalent, with approximately 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises falling victim to entanglement each year.

The plastic crisis in our oceans demands urgent attention and action. It is essential to address this issue at its source by reducing plastic pollution and treating it as the hazardous waste it is. By doing so, we can protect whales and other marine wildlife, ensuring their health and preserving the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems.

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