Sea Turtles: Plastic Pollution's Deadly Impact

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, with an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. The impact of this pollution is felt by marine wildlife, including sea turtles, who ingest plastic and get entangled in it. Sea turtles are affected by plastic at every stage of their lives. From crawling through plastic on beaches to mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, sea turtles face numerous threats due to plastic pollution. This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even lead to internal bleeding. Additionally, the accumulation of plastic in their guts may impair their ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in a slow and painful death. With an estimated hundreds of thousands of sea turtles dying annually from plastic ingestion and entanglement, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address this crisis.

Plastic bags and debris cause intestinal blockages and internal bleeding

Plastic pollution is having a devastating impact on sea turtles, and plastic bags are a key culprit. The issue is twofold: sea turtles ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and they also become entangled in plastic debris. Both scenarios can lead to intestinal blockages and internal bleeding, causing immense suffering and often death.

Sea turtles are highly susceptible to ingesting plastic bags because they closely resemble their natural prey, jellyfish. The translucent, soft, and floating nature of plastic bags makes them easily confused for jellyfish by turtles swimming in the ocean or crawling on beaches. This visual similarity is a significant factor in the ingestion of plastic by sea turtles.

Compounding the problem, recent research has revealed that sea turtles are also attracted to the odours given off by plastic debris. Dr Joseph Pfaller of the University of Florida, Gainesville, explains that microbes, algae, and tiny animals colonise plastic in the ocean, creating food-like odours that act as an "olfactory trap" for sea turtles. These odours trigger an evolutionary response in the turtles, making them believe they have found a food source. As a result, they are drawn towards the plastic and are more likely to ingest it.

Once ingested, plastic bags can cause severe intestinal blockages in sea turtles. The plastic gets trapped in their stomachs, preventing them from properly swallowing and digesting food. This obstruction can lead to starvation, as the turtles feel full and do not seek out other food sources. Additionally, the sharp edges of plastic bags or the breakdown of harder plastics can pierce the intestinal walls, causing internal bleeding and further endangering the turtles' health.

The impact of plastic debris on sea turtles is not limited to ingestion. Turtles can also become entangled in plastic, such as discarded fishing nets and six-pack rings, during their migrations. This entanglement can restrict their movement, making it difficult to swim, surface for air, or reach food sources. In some cases, entanglement may also lead to choking, limb loss, or other irreparable injuries.

The accumulation of plastic in the oceans poses a significant threat to the survival of sea turtles. With plastic waste increasing at an alarming rate, it is crucial to address this issue through reduced plastic consumption, proper waste management, and support for conservation efforts to protect these ancient mariners of the sea.

Sea turtles mistake plastic for food due to its appearance and scent

Sea turtles are highly susceptible to mistaking plastic for food due to its appearance and scent, which poses a significant threat to their survival. They are known to confuse plastic bags floating in the water or washed up on beaches with jellyfish, one of their favourite foods. This mistake can be fatal, as plastic bags can get stuck in their stomachs, causing blockages in their digestive systems and, eventually, death.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic can take on the scent of food items that sea turtles typically consume. A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that sea turtles responded to the smell of ocean-soaked plastics in the same way they responded to their actual food. This is because, over time, plastics in the ocean accumulate microbes, algae, plants, and small animals on their surface, a process known as biofouling. As a result, sea turtles are attracted to the scent of these ocean-soaked plastics and mistakenly ingest them.

The consequences of ingesting plastic can be devastating for sea turtles. Not only can it cause physical blockages, but it can also damage their ability to absorb food and nutrients, leading to starvation and death. In some cases, the presence of plastic in their stomachs can mimic the sensation of being full, causing turtles to neglect seeking out other food sources and ultimately starving. Additionally, sharp plastics can pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.

The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is not limited to ingestion. During every stage of their lives, sea turtles encounter plastic in their environment. As hatchlings, they may crawl through plastic debris on their way to the ocean, and as adults, they may encounter plastic while migrating or nesting. They can also become entangled in plastic, such as discarded fishing nets and six-pack rings, which can restrict their movement, cause drowning, or make them more vulnerable to predators.

The issue of sea turtles mistaking plastic for food due to its appearance and scent is just one aspect of the broader problem of plastic pollution in our oceans. With an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, the situation is critical, and the survival of sea turtles is at stake. It is essential that we take action to reduce plastic waste and protect these ancient mariners from the harmful effects of human activities.

Plastic can make turtles feel full, causing them to starve

Sea turtles are highly susceptible to the effects of consuming plastic debris due to the structure of their bodies. One of the most distressing consequences of plastic ingestion is that it can trick turtles into feeling full, leading them to neglect their search for food and ultimately starve to death. This is because sea turtles have downward-facing spines in their throats, which prevent them from regurgitating plastic. As a result, the ingested plastic gets trapped in their stomachs, giving them a false sense of fullness.

The downward-facing spines in their throats, unique to sea turtles, make it impossible for them to regurgitate any swallowed plastic. This means that when they accidentally consume plastic, it remains trapped in their stomachs. The presence of this foreign material interferes with their ability to properly swallow and digest nutritious food. Unable to distinguish the sensation of a full stomach from that of a stomach filled with plastic, they stop seeking out their natural food sources.

The plastic in their stomachs not only fills them up but also releases chemicals that mimic the odours of their natural food sources, such as jellyfish. This "olfactory trap" is a result of microbes, algae, and tiny animals colonising the plastic in the ocean. These food-like odours further reinforce the false sensation of fullness, making it even less likely that the turtles will attempt to feed.

The impact of plastic ingestion on sea turtles is devastating, and the problem is widespread. Research suggests that approximately 52% of all sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic. This has led to a noticeable decline in global turtle populations. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of sea turtles die each year from ocean pollution, with many of those deaths attributed to the ingestion of plastic debris.

The issue of plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing environmental crisis. An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, adding to the already substantial amount of plastic circulating in the marine environment. This plastic pollution poses a significant threat to sea turtles, as they are unable to distinguish it from their natural food sources, leading to fatal consequences such as starvation.

Turtles can get entangled in plastic debris and discarded fishing gear

Sea turtles are affected by plastic at every stage of their lives. One of the most prominent ways is by becoming entangled in plastic debris and discarded fishing gear.

Turtles are strong swimmers, but they often get entangled in plastic waste, such as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear", which is a term used to refer to lost or discarded fishing gear. This includes nets, lines, and ropes that have been left or lost in the ocean by the fishing industry. As plastic does not biodegrade, it persists in the environment indefinitely, continuing to entangle marine life.

Turtles can also become entangled in other plastic debris, such as six-pack rings, plastic twine, plastic packaging straps, and plastic balloon strings. They may also get caught in lost or discarded anchor lines, seismic cables, plastic chairs, wooden crates, weather balloons, and boat mooring lines.

Entanglement in plastic waste can lead to severe injuries for turtles, including maiming and amputation. It can also hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed. In severe cases, entanglement can lead to drowning and death. According to research by the University of Exeter, 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. Scientists estimate that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic, which is an average of more than one turtle every nine hours.

Hatchlings and young sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in plastic and discarded fishing gear. They ride ocean currents to zones where floating rubbish and debris are concentrated, creating an "ecological trap". They may also set up homes near floating debris and remain there for years, increasing their risk of entanglement.

Microplastics are consumed by fish, which are then eaten by turtles

Microplastics are a significant concern for sea turtles, as they can be consumed by fish and then enter the food chain, ultimately being ingested by turtles. This process starts with the majority of plastic in the ocean breaking down into microplastics—tiny fragments of five millimetres or less in size. These microplastics are consumed by fish, which are then eaten by turtles, leading to severe health issues.

The accumulation of microplastics in the ocean turns the waters into what scientists call a "plastic soup." Marine animals, including fish, ingest these tiny plastic particles, and this contamination moves up the food chain when turtles consume the fish. This transfer of microplastics from fish to turtles is a critical aspect of how plastic pollution affects sea turtle health and survival.

The consumption of microplastics by turtles can lead to blockages in their intestines and digestive systems, causing internal injuries and even death. Additionally, the presence of plastic in their guts may impair a turtle's ability to absorb nutrients, leading to a slow and painful death. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that sea turtles cannot regurgitate due to the structure of their throats, which have downward-facing spines. As a result, ingested plastic becomes trapped in their stomachs, hindering their ability to properly swallow food.

The impact of microplastics on sea turtles is not limited to physical entanglement or ingestion. Microplastics can also attract and accumulate bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms, creating food-like odours that further entice turtles to consume them. This "olfactory trap" is a significant concern, as it draws turtles towards potentially harmful substances.

The threat of microplastics to sea turtles highlights the urgent need for action to address plastic pollution in our oceans. By reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics, as well as supporting initiatives to ban or reduce plastic consumption, we can help protect sea turtles and other marine life from the detrimental effects of microplastics in their ecosystems.

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